Lighting / Heating questions

[Jeffm91]

Thanks Steve, I'm going to buy that. I got a timer for my lamp, any suggestions for timing?

[chris-uk]

Thanks Steve, I'm going to buy that. I got a timer for my lamp, any suggestions for timing?

Adjust the timing every couple of weeks to more or less match your natural day length.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks Steve, I'm going to buy that. I got a timer for my lamp, any suggestions for timing?

A cheap mechanical time should work well. You could set multiple on/offs.
Intermatic TN311 15 Amp Heavy Duty Grounded Timer - Amazon.com

[kueluck]

Would some one expand on the lighting issue. Do they need UVA ,UVB lighting? Are regular CFL lights ok? What about incandescent lighting for light or for heating? Also there are the “special” reptile lights from Zoo Med that fit the florescent light figures. The care sheets do not expand on this area.

[guidofatherof5]

Garters don't need UV which is one of the great things about keeping them.
I use fluorescent bulbs in most of my enclosures.

[Jeffm91]

Steve:

Is my 'day blue' light effective enough for my snake? I really have to say. I am so happy I found this community.. I know I am an amatuer but I love my snake and look forward to learning so much. You guys are great!

[guidofatherof5]

As long as it provides the lighting you think it should.

[Varanus]

The snake cannot thermo regulate when the tank is heated from above and below at the same time.

However, in a larger tank could a undertank heater and a low wattage light be used at the same time on one side of the tank? The undertank heater would have a thermostat and be used to keep things stable, the light would be simply for basking pleasure as it wouldn't emit that much heat.

*is setting up a garter terrarium and figured asking here was better than making a new topic*

[infernalis]

However, in a larger tank could a undertank heater and a low wattage light be used at the same time on one side of the tank? The undertank heater would have a thermostat and be used to keep things stable, the light would be simply for basking pleasure as it wouldn't emit that much heat.

*is setting up a garter terrarium and figured asking here was better than making a new topic*

Unless you live in an igloo, just a basking light is plenty.

It's a lot easier to cook a garter snake than it is to chill one.

[Varanus]

Unless you live in an igloo, just a basking light is plenty.

It's a lot easier to cook a garter snake than it is to chill one.

But the temperature can fall pretty quickly from day to night where I live during the winter. It just seems like having the heat mat there and able to turn on if it suddenly gets too cold when the basking light is off (or if the bulb goes out) would be a good insurance policy. Basically the light wouldn't be there for heating as much as because I read that garters like having a light source.