Heating and thermal gradient

[ZSThomp]

Hello,

In planning for eventually getting a BTS, I've been searching the internet tried to find answers to my questions. I found partial answers but not everything. I saw Jen from LLLReptile's BTS setup video and love it. She mentioned using a deep dome light setup and a Powersun MV bulb that supplies both UB and heat. My question is, can I use the MV bulb for daylighting heat and then a CHE for heat during night? I assume with both those I would need thermostats. Also, my house never get's bellow 70 at night. Would I still need the CHE on during the night or could I allow the whole enclosure to get down to 70 or 70+ degrees at night? Also, couldn't a plastic hide (not sure what kind of hide I will use yet) under the light/heat that gets up to 90-100 during the day feasibly melt and be a major risk for burning the BTS?
Thanks for answering these questions. I've only done snakes with UTH so Im new to this whole lighting thing. Thanks.

Z

[Y33T]

they can do just fine with only one heat source.
i don't think plastic hides will melt under the heat lamp unless it directly touches the bulb.

[Tokkay]

If your house stays in the 70s at night you shouldn't need a night heat source at all.

If you use a thermostat like you mentioned then you shouldn't have a problem with melting/burning. As Y33T said, as long as the plastic isn't incredibly close to the heat source it should be fine. You probably want your hide at least 6-8 inches away anyways since you don't want your skink to be able to touch the heat source either if they're climbing on top of it.

I always like to recommend radiant heat panels and Arcadia UVB bulbs- I use those in combo for my skinks and they are both great! The heat panels are designed not to get so hot as to cause burns even with direct contact, but they do a great job of warming the air. They also need thermostats, though.

[Herpin Man]

If you use too hot of a bulb directly above plastic, yes, it can melt. I have had it happen. It all depends on the wattage, distance, and type of plastic. You may want to take temperature readings at various distances with whatever bulb you intend to use.