bulb wattages

[chelshart25]

I was wondering what wattage to use for my enclosures from when the panthers are babies to adulthood.

I have: 24" x 12" x 24" for the baby
24" x 24" x 24" for juvenile
24" x 24" x 48" for adult

I have a 125 watt bulb from some reptiles I had before and was wondering if as long as I keep the temp right it will be fine. I figured when i have the smaller cage I can just keep and eye on the temp and move the light further away if it gets too hot and then the larger the cage the closer I get with the light...is this ok or should I get smaller watt bulbs for the different enclosures?

 

[dodolah]

any wattage that works.
Sorry to sound so obvious.

but, each environment is different.

For example, I live in CA that can get quite hot during summer.
Therefore, 50 watt Basking lamp is good for summer.
75 watt is good for winter.

I reckon 125 watt might be excessive, unless if you live in place where it's very cold.
So, use common sense to judge whether you need lower or higher wattage to maintain the comfortable temp for your chameleon.

Hope that helps.

 

[chelshart25]

ya that helps...sorry for the stupid question. haha I am new to the chams and am trying to get everything right for her when she arrives. I live in CO so the temp is pretty average I guess but it is so dry here its hard to keep the humidity up so I will probably have to mist a few more times then if I lived on the east coast...

thanks for the help

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Where in Colorado are you?
There are a few of us here.

-Brad

 

[chelshart25]

I am from Littleton but I am in Pueblo currently for college...what about you?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Denver.

-Brad

 

[mczoo]

I cut the cords to my lights and put dimmers on them so wattage was adjustible for the seasond and day to day Ohio weather

 

[Billyjack187]

I run a 75 watt basking bulb...pet store special, and a 25watt night bulb. Kept indoors during Colorado winters of course. I never have real trouble with humidity, but my experience is more along the lines of boas and pythons mind you. But having 2-3 good size plants help out tremendously. Do you use a drip system as well as misting? I would say to make a curtain out of vinyl and cover one of the larger openings and see how that works to keep moisture in, vinyl is way cheap at home depot...30cents a foot I think. And one last thing, they sell bulbs with more compact beams, depending on your set up that may help your lighting situation, tighter beams mean more intense light and more heat. But its only in one spot...things to consider.