2 uvb bulbs better than 1?

[mattcast1214]

Hey guys, I'm currently setting up a new enclosure for an upcoming panther. I just got my 24x24x48 cage from diycages and the light fixture to go along with it (which both look awesome and very sturdy btw). My question is, the light fixture has 3 spots for bulbs and I have a 5.0 reptisun and 75w heat bulb, so what should I do with the other socket? I was thinking of adding another 5.0 uvb or maybe a 2.0 but idk if that's too much uvb for the 5 month old I'll be getting, or if that's even a problem. I know the 75 heat bulb will be enough by itself, so should I add another uvb or just leave it empty?

 

[mattcast1214]

any thoughts/ideas??

 

[Calypso]

I've heard a little bit about too much UVB, but I think it's more about getting your calcium and D3 supplementation in balance with it. I would like to say it would be ok, but not 100% sure. I'm sure someone else will chime in some time soon.

 

[JackP308]

2.0 for the empty space, gives good visual light and promotes plant growth.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Considering the size of your cage then additional UVB bulbs wouldn't be a bad thing. But only if the UVB is spread out some. If the sockets are right next to each other then there's really no benefit and then you have the whole rest of the cage that's not getting good UVB spread. But if there's a socket on one side of the cage and a socket on the other then sure. Or you could put in two smaller wattage heat bulbs and get a larger basking area, which is a little more naturalistic than one pinpoint basking spot. Sometimes we don't have a choice given the space on the top of cages but I'm planning on splitting my basking to two bulbs to give a little larger area.

 

[Calypso]

I think he has one of the dual top canopys from exo terra. So I think all three bulbs would be in the same place coming from a single ballast.

 

[mattcast1214]

I think he has one of the dual top canopys from exo terra. So I think all three bulbs would be in the same place coming from a single ballast.

No it's the one from diycages so it's 24 inches and looks like this:
[=)____=)___(=]. This is the best figure i can come up with for an example lol, =) is the placement of the bulbs. So far I have a 75w halogen bulb on the far right, the 5.0 tube in the middle, and a 25w bulb on the left for now. I had to put the reptisun in the middle because it is much bigger than I expected it to be. I kind of like the idea of 2 basking spots though. Is the reptisun 2.0 just as big as the 5.0?

 

[Calypso]

Yeah, I'm thinking about getting another bulb fixture. The extra light along would be worth it.

 

[JackP308]

No it's the one from diycages so it's 24 inches and looks like this:
[=)____=)___(=]. This is the best figure i can come up with for an example lol, =) is the placement of the bulbs. So far I have a 75w halogen bulb on the far right, the 5.0 tube in the middle, and a 25w bulb on the left for now. I had to put the reptisun in the middle because it is much bigger than I expected it to be. I kind of like the idea of 2 basking spots though. Is the reptisun 2.0 just as big as the 5.0?

You really dont have to get a 2.0 you can get any 6,500k or higher day bulb and they work just as good and cheaper. Probably find what ever size you want. Basking bulbs and UVB alone dont really light up a chameleon cage makes them rather dull.