Lighting/Heating questions
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:56 pm
Okay, so I've not truly 'owned' or 'cared for' my own skink long term. My professor had one in my zoology class that I took home for a month during break and she was an absolute joy to have. I've heard and read much on the lighting issue but being as I'm getting my first baby I'm a teeny bit anxious to make sure everything is perfect. Firstly, I would like to ask opinions on ceramic heat emitters? Yay or nay for Blueys?
I've also been doing some reading up on UVA/UVB, I know A is supposed to be good for mental health and B helps with vitamin D and prevents metabolic bone disease. However, I've heard that no reptile at all can survive without a UVB light. Is that true? Zoo-med's little pamphlets often have charts on them when you buy a bulb or lamp fixture. I've heard people safely raising critters of all the scaley types with and without UVB lights. I currently don't have them for my ball pythons but if it is true that they need it of course I'd fix that right away. I have the bulbs already I was just uncertain if I should put them in the tank.
Lastly, I wanted to ask the opinion of under tank heaters. Currently, in my set up I have reptile carpet on the bottom, covered with about 2-3 inches of shredded aspen and a pvc hide on the cool end with a slate tile topped box for the basking and hide on the hot end. Should I put a small, low grade mat underneath (outside) the bottom of the cool side as well to keep a nice ambient temprature? Currently the cool side is around 80-75f and the warm 100-95f on average. Mind you, theirs no bluey in there yet, s/he comes tomorrow morning.
I've also been doing some reading up on UVA/UVB, I know A is supposed to be good for mental health and B helps with vitamin D and prevents metabolic bone disease. However, I've heard that no reptile at all can survive without a UVB light. Is that true? Zoo-med's little pamphlets often have charts on them when you buy a bulb or lamp fixture. I've heard people safely raising critters of all the scaley types with and without UVB lights. I currently don't have them for my ball pythons but if it is true that they need it of course I'd fix that right away. I have the bulbs already I was just uncertain if I should put them in the tank.
Lastly, I wanted to ask the opinion of under tank heaters. Currently, in my set up I have reptile carpet on the bottom, covered with about 2-3 inches of shredded aspen and a pvc hide on the cool end with a slate tile topped box for the basking and hide on the hot end. Should I put a small, low grade mat underneath (outside) the bottom of the cool side as well to keep a nice ambient temprature? Currently the cool side is around 80-75f and the warm 100-95f on average. Mind you, theirs no bluey in there yet, s/he comes tomorrow morning.