5.0 or 10.0?

[Cait0420]

Hi there! I have a question about lighting, I currently have a repti sun 5.0 but the light doesn't seem to reach the whole enclosure. I was told by a guy at the pet store to get a 10.0 bulb, he also said it will help bring out color. Is this true? Should I get a 10.0? Any advice would help! Thx

 

[Cait0420]

I was also told that by adding calcium powder to their misting water can bring out their colors, what do you think?

 

[jamjam]

I could be wrong but i am almost certain that the difference between the 5.0 and 10.0 is the amount of uvb produced by each bulb. for additional brightness some options would be throwing in a full spectrum bulb (6500k) or going on a smaller tube size bulb the T5's are becoming more and more popular. many different brands now offer the t5 but alot of good reviews and recommendations on the t5's from arcadia (6% or 12%) which can be bought from light your reptiles.

Which bulb you decide (5/10 6/12) will ultimately be dependant on your set up and how many shady spots there are and how fine of a screen is up top. read around on the forum there are lots of light threads many with proof using solarmeters to show differenfes. I settled on the dual t5 fixture arcadia6% and 6500k bulbs would have gone 12% but up top i have 1/4" holes which i think would allow enough penetration. I also have alot of foilage and live plants.

 

[jamjam]

mind you with some bulbs screen can filter as much as 50% uvb. as well many brands need replacing 6-8 months arcadia hold up closer to a yr

 

[Cait0420]

I understand the tube 5.0 is for UVB, I just don't think the cage is getting enough. I also have a basking bulb at one end so I'm not too worried about light just UVB strength. I was just wondering if I should upgrade to a 10.0

 

[Cait0420]

mind you with some bulbs screen can filter as much as 50% uvb. as well many brands need replacing 6-8 months arcadia hold up closer to a yr

This is what I'm worried about is the screen top of the enclosure is filtering some UVB

 

[fuzzhc]

What size is your cage?

 

[jamjam]

Hi there! I have a question about lighting, I currently have a repti sun 5.0 but the light doesn't seem to reach the whole enclosure. I was told by a guy at the pet store to get a 10.0 bulb, he also said it will help bring out color. Is this true? Should I get a 10.0? Any advice would help! Thx

the blue part is what made me think you needed more light output. as for more uvb you should be fine upgrading to 10.0 just make sure there are shady spots to escape the uvb if they feel the need too. whats your set up like? size and what not

 

[Cait0420]

It's 26" high, 30" long and 13 deep. My rudis chams are still really small, they're only ten weeks old and a small breed to begin with. the terrarium has lots of live and fake plants, it is mesh on both sides and the top.

 

[Cait0420]

Any thoughts on the calcium spray bringing out colors?

 

[Olimpia]

I would keep calcium out of the water you spray with, because I wouldn't want that getting in their eyes or anything. Using supplements regularly will definitely keep your chameleon healthy, which will bring out his/her full potential, but calcium by itself isn't going to manifest colors where there aren't any.

 

[Cait0420]

That's what I thought, I was just curious because the guy at the store mentioned it. Thanks so much for all your help