10.0 or 5.0 for my new enclosure?

[tryme]

Ok I got my new enclosure as i'm sure most of you are aware. It's one of those aluminium screen ones. I am also due for a new uvb tube. I was using a 10.0 for my exo terra flexarium due to the mesh being quite dark and thick and I was wondering if I should purchase a 5.0 now or get another 10.0?

 

[Julirs]

If you now have regular screen instead of dark mesh I would go 5.0.

 

[ciafardo 4]

i use all 10.0 on veileds and panthers and 5.0 on montane but i think 10.0 is better for all they are in the sun all day and a 10.0 is hardly as strong as the sun

 

[cacoonkitty]

hi i have always used a ten,with my reps montain jacksons and others too with nooooooo problems at all, i know that some people choose to use the 5 on chams but is down to the keeper i think,provide some shade and some basking areas so he/she can et out of the u.v if it wants and you should be fine, with regards to chams like the veilds ect i think a 10defo as they are naturaly from quite a sun rich country and love the sun, my veild had one and you should have seen his beautiful bright colours...noooo brown in sight just pale yellowas and greens lovely good luck..p.s where did you get your mesh screen viv from?? im intrestedf in getting a metle one!!

 

[tryme]

thanks dude. Terry Thatcher, i'm sure you heard of him

 

[summoner12]

Tryme, how tall is your cage? If it is 48" tall I would go with a 10.0 but maybe keep it a inch or two off the top of the screen. I have dual fixtures above my cages, but only one lamp is UVB (10.0) and the other is a grow light.

If you have your cage setup with a lot of coverage you'll need the extra output.

Most will say the 5.0 is fine and I agree(if placed directly on the screen and near the basking spot). But I use 10.0 and raise it up a little bit so I don't cook my chams.

 

[dodolah]

like Kevin said, 5.0 is plenty fine for you (provided you are using screen cage now).
I feel no need of spending extra bucks for 10.0 when the 5.0 does excellent job in providing uvb.

just my 2 cents.

 

[summoner12]

I would like to point out that myself... and probably Frans are referring to linear tubes... not the compact lamps. I know the OP mentions Tube lamps... but for others reading, keep in mind the tube and compact lamps are completely different.