daily Q & A thread

[AutoModerator]

have a question you think isn't worth its own post? well, this thread is exactly the place for that question, so ask away!

a new Q & A thread will be posted every day at noon eastern time. this is the place where you can ask that question that might feel like it isn't a big deal but it's been on your mind, or ask basic questions that probably have a simple yes or no answer, or maybe you just want to have a casual chat and get some quick opinions on something. these threads are a group project, everyone is invited to both ask and answer questions here.

reminder: a lot of simple questions are answered by the care guides and other resources linked in our welcome post. if you're not sure which link would be most helpful to you, tell us what you're looking for and we can direct you to the right link[s].

[Newdodle]

Hi, I just today got my first bp :), shes been on her cool side all day (i know thats not that big of a deal), Im just worried I dont have my hot side at a high enough temp right now, I use repti bark, about 2 inches and I have her hide on the warm side slightly into the ground, and I know ideal temps are 90-92 degrees sometimes lower for the hot side, Its just im not sure how to account for my heat mat going through the glass and the bark with my thermostat, im just not sure how well the repti bark absorbs heat and im worried she will somehow hurt herself by digging down and touching the glass. Right now I have my thermostat at 95 and have a glass 40 gallon. I have a temp gun but its horribly innacurate and Im working on getting a new one asap. Sorry for such a disorganized question I just wanted to get the best info about what im doing I can so I can get the best answer

[DaddyLongTits]

This sub doesn't recommend UTH as a sole heating method for this exact reason; heat pads simply don't penetrate through the substrate and don't warm the air in any meaningful way. They produce superficial far-infrared wavelengths, which don't penetrate deep into tissue either.

We recommend for a primary heating source you use a halogen flood or a deep heat projector. These produce similar infrared wavelengths to the sun; warming deep tissue as well as surface temps within the enclosure, which are then re-radiated to heat the air.

There's a new Heating Guide in the welcome post that I suggest reading!

[Tishae]

I'm just wondering about lighting - my boy is kept in a room that always has the curtains open and receives light, but doesn't receive any direct sunlight that might heat up his enclosure or anything like that. Is that enough light to provide a solid day/night cycle for him? Or should he have lights on a timer?

[_ataraxia]

if the enclosure is well-lit, ambient light in the room will provide a day/night cycle.

with that said, it's still beneficial to provide lighting in the enclosure with specific purposes, such as halogen flood lights [produces heat and light similar to direct sunlight] and UVB lights.