New light bulb - is it ok?

[Bafa]

I have a red tail boa (BCI) just pver 6 months old. 55 gallon tank, 1 square foot flex watt heat tape as UTH. And over head basking lamp.

For basking lamp I had a light bulb that looks like a standard light bulb so far as shape goes. It was a very dark red 100 watt bulb. When it was on I could barely see that it was on even if all the lights in the room were off. The snakes enclosure was dark. That was what I was using for 24/7 basking.

That bulb broke, even though it still worked, the glass was coming apart from the metal screw in base. I didn't want a fire so I went out and bought another bulb. I couldn't find the same kind so I bought an Exo-Terra brand bulb and they call it a "Heat Glo Infrared Heat Lamp". It is also 100 watts, but it is more the shape of a spot lamp... kinda like a flood light.

Anyway the thing is this. I plugged that baby in and wow, it lit up that cage with red light. I can still see my snake all the way over in the cool side of the cage with that thing on. I am wondering is it going to mess up the night cycle for my snake if I use this thing. I mean my last bulb emitted almost no visible light and this thing is lighting up the whole cage. But maybe the snake can't see that range, which is why I am asking here.

Do I need a different bulb??

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

[razeraze]

Reptiles can not see red but if there is a high amount of lumens it could very well stress your reptile. We had this happen with a red night bulb and a water monitor.

[Bafa]

Well i think tomorrow i will hit another pet store and see if they have what I was using and then return this thing. I just feel too uncomfortable with the amount of light in that cage.

I did buy an temp gun

Only it doesnt have the laser pointer. I guess the laser isnt really important as I should be close enough to know what I am pointing at.

[Adrya]

You might try the new bulb for a few nights to a week and see how she does. If she still senses when it's night time and comes out in the evening, regardless if the night bulb is on, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

If it still makes you uncomfortable with how bright it is though, go ahead and change it. Also make sure you're using a lamp with a ceramic socket so it's safer for higher heat elements.

I use the Exo Terra night time bulbs that light up purple at night and I haven't had any problems with my snakes becoming stressed out.

How is Sally doing anyway?

[Bafa]

Sally is doing great now. I am so happy with her. She is finishing a pretty healthy shed, just a little left on the tail. She is active, more so because of the shed I am sure. But she is just so good everytime I pick her up and she doesnt stress about it at all. Plus i could almost swear sometimes she doesn't want to go back in the cage because of the way she keeps crawling up my arm and wont let go heheh.

So far as the lamp i just picked up a new one tonight with the ceramic socket I will give the new bulb a chance as you suggested. If she does okay with it then I guess the bonus will be I can see her at night without turning on the room light when I go to check on her.

[Adrya]

That is great. I'm happy for you. I'd love to see pics of her several months from now when she's much bigger.

[razeraze]

I am glad you got the temp gun, I still would loose the light with the large amount of lumens. It helped our water monitor significantly. Here you can see how bright the stupid light we had was and how stressed the water monitor was.

[Adrya]

If the red light is too bright you may try one of the black-looking ones that emits more of a purple light, those are the ones I use and haven't had any problems with.