Light Cycle and UTH Question

[Irefe]

I did a quick search for any answers, but none really fit my exact situation, so I figure I'll ask.

I plan on keeping my snake in the basement, which is also my room, and there's very little natural light that comes in the bitty window that I have (there's only one window, I usually only get light directly in it at around 11-12 in the morning/afternoon) and my sleeping schedule is usually weird at best, so I was wondering, would the little bit of natural light that comes in be okay until about 1-2 pm when I can turn the lights on? I could get it closer to a natural light schedule, but that would mean the lights would be on while I was asleep, which I'd rather not have if possible.

Oh something else too while I'm here, is it possibly to get a larger UTH and only have it partially under the tank while the snake's a baby, then use all of it when I get a bigger tank? I'm not sure if that would be a fire hazard or what, but it would save me from having to possibly buy a new UTH when I upgrade the tank.

Thanks!
~Ire

 

[Soulwind]

In regards to the daylight, yes that should be acceptable. We do the same thing. Our scaley kids are in the basement (our "casual" family room). As long as you're not actively blocking the light from doing a "general illumination" of the room (ie shades), you'll be fine.

As for the UTH. It's less than optimal, but you could do it, as long as you're using a thermostat with it. Unregulated, a too large heater can easily get hot enough to crack the glass.

Really though, the price of a correctly sized UTH pad is minimal compared to the overall cost of the rest of the viv setup. Just me, but I'd get a proper sized UTH (under the assumption that sooner or later, I'd be putting another new snake into that tank once it's original owner outgrows it) .

 

[atmox]

I use artificial light connected to a regulator that turns it on and off automatically. So yes that would mean the lights are on while your are sleeping but you could solve this by covering up the glass i think? Be sure to keep the ventilation open though.

I think i heard people using a bigger UTH only partially but be sure to not stick it to the viv, once stuck to the viv you can only get it off by pulling it off and thereby breaking it.

 

[Irefe]

Thanks guys!

I'll be sure to clean out the stairwell some before I get the snake, so it gets some more sunlight in, then I'll just turn the lights on when I get up and off around dark or maybe a little after, depending on the season (so like around 6-9 pm).

And Atmox the lights I'll be turning on are lights in the room, not lights in/on the tank, the tank won't have any direct lights on it, except for maybe a desk light for viewing, but that will only be on when I'm there.

As for the UTH, I'll probably just get different sizes for the different tanks, I plan on sticking them to the tank with clear packing tape stuff (as apposed to duct tape which leaves sticky residue after awhile) so it can be removed, but I don't want to accidentally risk anything with too large of an UTH when they're not that expensive. Thermostats (which I'm definitely going to have one of) work with different sized ones right?

I don't plan on having more then one snake right now, so I don't know if the smaller tank will be reused, but you never know what could happen in 2-3 years ;P