Basking Lamp Or Under-Tank?

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and in the next few days will be new
to Skinks. I've raised various snakes for quite a few years
and have never had any heating problems with them. I
understand that I need to have a warm end and cooler end
to the cage but do I need to use a heat lamp/ceramic heat
emitter or will a heat mat on one end work fine? If overhead
heat is the best way to go I'd prefer to use one of the
ceramic "Bulbs". They don't *need* light do they? I will
have florescent light during the day. I've read and heard
that BTS's don't need a full spectrum light source but is this
true? Also, what about dropping the heat at night on the
warm end to match the temp on the cooler end? Should I
keep the warm end at the same temp 24/7 or drop it at night?
It would be nice to just put the warm end on a timer as well
as the light source but if necessary I'll keep the temperature
constant either with below tank heat or with a ceramic heat
emitter.

Lots of questions regarding heating and light sources but I
really believe in doing it right. My snakes are and always have
been very healthy and I want the same for my new Skink.
With all of the info I've found on a few care sheets I don't think
I've seen any of my questions fully answered. This will be my
6 year old son's first reptile that he will call his own. Don't
tell him but I want it more than he does! ;~}

Thanks in advance for any and all advice. From what I've
read this looks like a friendly forum.

Bruce
Redding, California

Just want to address the ceramic heat emitter. These are a great heat source, that last a long time. they are not really meant to be turned on and off all the time, though. (drastically shortens the life of the unit) If you are planning on using one and want to drop the temps for nighttime, I would recommend running it through a rheostat. That way, it isn't powering on and off...just reducing power (& thus heat).

I'm not addressing the BTS questions because I have only had cursory experience with them...and that was long enough ago that I'm sure there is much better info available.