metal halide

[Stu]

Do any of you have opinions on the use of this lamp ?

www.exo-terra.com/en/products/sunray_bulb.php

I'm looking to heat my viv from the top, it's 18'' high, and I wanted to provide a natural as possible light/heat source. I know garters don't need uvb etc, but it seems more like real sun.

I'd really appreciate your help.

Thanks, stu

[chris-uk]

Personally, I wouldn't use them. They are just so inefficient for my taste - a 70W bulb wouldn't heat the floor of my viv to 32C, sure I could add another basking platform or branches closer to the light but that's not ideal for me. And the temperature halides get to you'd need to prevent the snake getting within around 10cm of it if you don't want to cook it... The stats on ExoTerra website suggest that at 10cm the temp would be 42C, getting closer than that and the temp will rise dangerously.

When electricity is constantly increasing in price, I can use a 20W heatmat to provide a 50x30cm glass sbelf at 32C with the space under the glass shelf providing a warm hide at around 28C. So I get ideal temps with lighting provided by LED spots and strips, and the heatmat maintaining the platform temperature is turned down off or down to <25% most times when I look at that viv. With no requirement for UV my priority is heating and lighting my garters efficiently, so any type of incandescent bulb is out of favour with me.

[infernalis]

I would never use a lamp this intense with any thamnophis species.

Garter snakes are a cool climate snake, it's all too easy to overheat them. (They hide in shady/cool areas during the hot summer days.)

That light bulb is made for larger cages with tropical animals inside.

[gibble888]

I use 75 watts max and cover the top of the cage with objects to increase temp a little more if needed.

[gibble888]

Thats for a 30 gallon

[Stu]

Thanks to all of you for your advice... though a new question now springs to mind:

Could i just confirm that we are indeed aiming to get the warm end of the enclosure to about 32degC, even though thamnophis may well prefer to hide way from such temps? Is it just to offer the choice to them?


Btw, I'm due to pick up my first and sole garter from crazy reptiles at Doncaster in September, an orange flame, and I'm just getting my set up sorted out, with your help :-)

[Ruth]

The care sheet says between 22 to 30c :) My hottest area doesn't go above 30c and my snakes seem happy and digest their food quickly. I too am getting some snakes from crazy reptiles but at kempton. I'm rather excited.

[chris-uk]

32C is pretty much 90F. I aim for 30C on the warm side (cool side is between 18 and 21C), if it gets to 32C I don't worry, anywhere between 28 and 32 is fine and a bit of variation is good in my book. Bear in mind that most of my species are Southern - Texas, California, Mexico. I also turn the heat off completely every night.

[Stu]

Thanks Chris, and all who've offered their help.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

As long as you provide a wide range of temperatures to bask at it wont matter what the temps get to.

I've got a viv ranging from 35c or slightly higher at the hottest then it slowly goes down to around room temperature at the bottom.
She will still use the areas that are above her optimal temperature in the morning and after a meal then she's slowly work her way down the wall to room temperature at the bottom where she'll explore her viv or hide away.


I used the same methods of heating and viv design in this thread which really benefited my garter.Naturalistic Snake Enclosures With Fake Walls - A How To Guide (Pic Heavy) - Reptile Forums (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snakes/878380-naturalistic-snake-enclosures-fake-walls.html)

[infernalis]

Environmental gradients offered within the cage is great "insurance" as it allows your animals to CHOSE the conditions it needs and wants at any moment.

[Stu]

As long as you provide a wide range of temperatures to bask at it wont matter what the temps get to.

I've got a viv ranging from 35c or slightly higher at the hottest then it slowly goes down to around room temperature at the bottom.
She will still use the areas that are above her optimal temperature in the morning and after a meal then she's slowly work her way down the wall to room temperature at the bottom where she'll explore her viv or hide away.


I used the same methods of heating and viv design in this thread which really benefited my garter.Naturalistic Snake Enclosures With Fake Walls - A How To Guide (Pic Heavy) - Reptile Forums (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snakes/878380-naturalistic-snake-enclosures-fake-walls.html)

hey, did you ever put up pics of your 'wall' type viv, it sounds sweet..