Best way to light a deep enclosure?

[SliK JiM]

Hi, just a quick question. I built an 8' tall enclosure, but I'm struggling to get enough light to the floor of the enlclosure as the tubes on top dont really kick the light out far enough. Just wondering if anyone out there had any suggestions? I was thinking of maybe having a couple of small halogen spots on top to try and get some more penetrating light down further, but I don't want it to be too garish for my cham plus confusing if there are 5 suns on top of his cage (ok, tubes are hardly the normal way that a chameleon would encounter light, but you get my point)

Thanks all

 

[fluxlizard]

If it's just light you want, and not spectrum, I really like the ge energy smart daylight 6500k cool natural light cfl (screw in florescent). I use the size that is supposed to equal 100w in my 4' high cages. The light penetrates down really well. They also make sizes that are equal to 150 w and 300 w lights. These are more expensive and available at hardware stores like lowes or home depot. I imagine these would work really well for an 8' high enclosure...

 

[summoner12]

Why do you need light on the bottom of the cage?

 

[Carlton]

Hi, just a quick question. I built an 8' tall enclosure, but I'm struggling to get enough light to the floor of the enlclosure as the tubes on top dont really kick the light out far enough. Just wondering if anyone out there had any suggestions? I was thinking of maybe having a couple of small halogen spots on top to try and get some more penetrating light down further, but I don't want it to be too garish for my cham plus confusing if there are 5 suns on top of his cage (ok, tubes are hardly the normal way that a chameleon would encounter light, but you get my point)

Thanks all

If what you want is general light to help your plants stay leafed out below the top branches and to encourage the cham to roam more of the cage, try mounting a single fluorescent tube fixture vertially along one side of the cage outside the mesh. I've done this and used either a plant grow light or a "used" ReptiSun. The UV output isn't critical.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I simply use two lights. 1 for uvb and another for plants. Then I have a third light for basking. If you use all three that should light up the entire cage. It need not be bright at the bottom .

 

[OOOst16]

greatest plant to have potted in the bottom of enclosure = bromilliad because they require so little light....all the others beinifit from the ubv/ uva lights!

 

[Todnedo]

For good lighting you will need high output florescents or very high output florescents tubes with good reflectors and ballasts. Normal output will not be enough.
Here's a few links to give you some ideas.

http://www.growlightexpress.com/fluorescent-grow-lights-5/

http://www.horticulturesource.com/s...7691/?osCsid=0221ce130e72909f26712313369f4bda

http://www.aquacave.com/tek2-t5-reflectorsbr-with-clips-by-brsunlight-supply-1852.html

 

[SliK JiM]

Why do you need light on the bottom of the cage?

Mainly to try and encourage the plants near the bottom. The top parts are thriving, but the bottoms are dropping leaves and the such!

Sadly I'm in the uk so trying to find half of the stuff you guys have is next to impossible! I'm currently using a one uv tube, one normal tube and a basking bulb! Would swapping out the normal tube for a better one make that much of a difference to the light penetration?

 

[SliK JiM]

Right, i've had a little search around and have managed to find these in the UK:
http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/product/2274/gro-lux-36w-t8-4ft-fluorescent-tube/
http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/product/1722/f36w-72-4ft-activa-172-full-spectrum-daylight-tube/
Which do you think would be better for the plants and chameleon?

Thanks
James

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I think a point has been made in this thread that warrants consideration.
In a natural enclosure of that height, I would really focus on planting forest floor plants at the bottom and require the higher light requirement plants to be tall enough to reach areas that are better lit.
One suggestion that I have would be to make sure that the "other" (non UVB) fluorescent light you use, be one that is for plants.

-Brad

 

[SliK JiM]

Well, at the bottom I have moss that is flourishing, I've got new growth, but obviously, it doesn't require much light so thats fine. What plants would you recommend that are safe to use as forest floor plants? I'm going out this afternoon to buy some other plants for a new enclosure, so I can always pick up some others.

I read somewhere that the 6500k bulbs were better for plant growth. Is that true? Thanks Brad.

 

[eisentrauti]

HCI or HQI in combination with BrightSuns is the best for such a big enclosure but those lamps and the other equiment are very expensive

 

[SliK JiM]

Well, I went out today and bought a new bulb to help stimulate the plant growth. The light is considerably bluer than the other tube, but it does make the cage look brighter than the prvious tube and should help with the plant growth too. I'll keep a picture diary to see if it does actually aid plant growth or not!

Thanks for all the advice.