6500K Bulbs

[CamiGirl89]

So I have a quick question. I am putting both a pothos and a dwarf umbrella plant in my panther cage. Since I do NOT have a green thumb, I am wanting to put a 6500K bulb above them. My question is, do 6500K lights emit enough heat for a basking temp? Or do they provide enough UVB/UVA rays for a chameleon as well? I don't really know anything about this type of lighting, and I am wondering what all it could provide before I go buy multiple, unnecessary lights. Thank you for your help!

 

[RoskaL]

So I have a quick question. I am putting both a pothos and a dwarf umbrella plant in my panther cage. Since I do NOT have a green thumb, I am wanting to put a 6500K bulb above them. My question is, do 6500K lights emit enough heat for a basking temp? Or do they provide enough UVB/UVA rays for a chameleon as well? I don't really know anything about this type of lighting, and I am wondering what all it could provide before I go buy multiple, unnecessary lights. Thank you for your help!

I'm pretty sure they emit no UV or do they produce any heat, all my grow lights are that way, the plants should be ok in just the chameleons UV light if u already have that, the pothos would definitely be fine and I would say the umbrella would be the same as they are both hardy plants

Hope this helps

 

[CamiGirl89]

Thank you! I already have a basking light and UV tube, but neither are plugged in yet (since I do not have the new chameleon just yet). If you think they are not necessary lighting fixtures if I have the other two, then I will take your word for it! They seem to be growing quite well in the sunlight that they are positioned in right now. Thanks for responding!

 

[RoskaL]

They'll be fine with that, they dont need much light anyway so the basking and UV light u have will be fine, Iv just set my pothos up

 

[Cainschams]

The pothos is probably fine but my scheffleras didnt do too well until I started using a 6500K light when my cages were inside for the cold months.

They do put out UVA but no UVB or at least not adequate UVB. As for heat it wouldnt be enough for a basking site, at least the tubes. I use a dual fixture to house one 48 inch UVB and 48 inch 6500K and the heat isnt very much. Definitely need a basking site even for montane species that need cooler temps. I guess if you have your cage near a window you might not need the light but be careful of drafts and even too much heat from having the cage near the window.

 

[CamiGirl89]

It is near a window but will be more tucked in a corner. It won't have any direct sunlight (none of my chams do), because I always worry about them overheating while I'm not home, or them catching cold if I leave the window open. I might get a 6500K light after the first few weeks of getting the cage set up, maybe I will just see how it goes once it is in there? If worst comes to worst, will it hurt the chameleon to have 3 lights over him? My veiled chams all have fake silk plants and vines in their terrariums, so live plants are a very new thing to me!

 

[Cainschams]

It is near a window but will be more tucked in a corner. It won't have any direct sunlight (none of my chams do), because I always worry about them overheating while I'm not home, or them catching cold if I leave the window open. I might get a 6500K light after the first few weeks of getting the cage set up, maybe I will just see how it goes once it is in there? If worst comes to worst, will it hurt the chameleon to have 3 lights over him? My veiled chams all have fake silk plants and vines in their terrariums, so live plants are a very new thing to me!

It hasnt hurt any of the multiple species I have owned that I know of. I know lots of others who use these also. Might hurt the electric bill a little more but I think its well worth it especially when you have a ton of plants. This past winter when I had no chams I kept all my plants in the basement with these lights over them and that is the only light they had besides the dim lights that are turned on just when in the basement. All ficus and scheffleras did not only survive but they grew a lot too!!

 

[CamiGirl89]

It hasnt hurt any of the multiple species I have owned that I know of. I know lots of others who use these also. Might hurt the electric bill a little more but I think its well worth it especially when you have a ton of plants. This past winter when I had no chams I kept all my plants in the basement with these lights over them and that is the only light they had besides the dim lights that are turned on just when in the basement. All ficus and scheffleras did not only survive but they grew a lot too!!

Wonderful, thank you! Better safe than sorry, and I can't imagine that my electricity bill will go up that much by adding one more light. I appreciate your help, thank you!