Building a custom enclosure & need help

[Katacara]

I have started designing the custom enclosure I would like to build, I have the space to build a double enclosure that would be 60 long (total, so each side would be 30 long) X 24 deep X 60 tall.

What are your suggestions for a lighting setup? That is the part I am unsure of, because I want to make sure I continue to provide the correct lighting for my guys, and that I provide enough lighting for the plants. With the living space so tall I'm just not sure overhead lighting will be enough.

I have attached a copy of my plans (whole front view), there is room at the top for lighting assembly's, and cabinets on the bottom for storage of my mistking, drainage, and feeders.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

 

[Alexander1]

Arcadia lighting is my first choice, talk to Todd from light your reptiles ask him about the quad light fixtures

 

[Katacara]

Ok I will do that. Thanks!!

 

[nightanole]

T5HO lights are 46" long, and the fixtures are 48" long.

Honestly i think your best bet is 2 22" bulbs in singles with reflector, per side(both 6% /5.0). The singles will provide 33% more light vs a dual bulb setup, and you can just put 2 diagonal across the top, for better lighting vs 1 big multi bulb setup across both cages. You can either go with Todd's wide flood hoods, or the plant grow ones that are more narrow(im mentioning the narrow option for penetration since your cage is so tall):
https://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-904296-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector/dp/B00AKKUBDQ

Not to take away sales from Todd, but the sunblasters have some advantages vs his hoods, at least for single bulb. I have todds dual bulb hoods and they are excellent, and since they are aluminum, some of my creatures like to use them as a heat rock...

The wild card will be the basking lights, each chams personally is different, so dont expect to just be able to place a 75 watt halogen in a corner and call it good. It some times takes me 6 months to find a branch/light placement combo that the cham will use daily vs a "good looking" setup that the cham might use every once in a while, while patrolling the cage.

 

[Katacara]

Thanks @nightanole when I get the setup done and have the long fixtures for the uvb I will have single bulb fixtures that I will no longer have need for, do you think using them to have 2 basking spots would be beneficial or would sticking to 1 spot be better?

 

[nightanole]

Thanks @nightanole when I get the setup done and have the long fixtures for the uvb I will have single bulb fixtures that I will no longer have need for, do you think using them to have 2 basking spots would be beneficial or would sticking to 1 spot be better?

That is up to the cham. My big cage is like 32x48 and 7ft tall, and they are fine with just one wide flood halogen for a basking spot. You could just install both and if they one use one, turn the other off, or maybe have it be a winter bulb for heat.

 

[Katacara]

Ok thanks a bunch!!

 

[SirToppemHat]

Here's my setup, I hang the light fixture from the ceiling.

 

[Scottsquatch]

That's a nice enclosure. That's pretty close to what I will build this winter as my wife wants to keep a cham upstairs too so she can enjoy one. She doesn't like going into the basement. LOL. Anyway, is it just the picture or does the cage top actually reflect most of the light out? I guess that's why they say you lose a lot of UVB through the screen huh?

 

[SirToppemHat]

I think it's just the picture, plenty of light getting through with the 3-bulb setup. Highly recommend http://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-HO-Grow-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 for a good light including hanging brackets and grow bulbs. Just replaced my Arcadia Quad and couldn't be happier. I have the basking lights behind it directly on top of the screen, fyi. Good Luck!

 

[Katacara]

Thanks everyone!! I will use this info to help with my build ;-)