So I am soon buying my kit for my pygmy chams off Neherp and I am getting the 18x18x24 it comes with 23 watt cfl bulbs that I think do not emit uvb they are plant growth bulbs. So anyways I was planning to have a uvb 100 13 watt bulb and a plant growth bulb will the wattage be okay for the pygmys and is the uvb 100 13 watt bulb be okay. Thanks
Cfl questions
- Thread starter Mikael
- Start date
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Mikael, from what I have read, pygmy's do not need uvb light as they live on the rainforest floor in the leaf litter. I would do some researching to confirm this or start a new thread titled: "Does a Pygmy need a UVB light". We do have some keepers on here. Not that many, but there are a few that hopefully will respond. Also, Ferritinmyshoes is a Vet on here and I know she has raised them. I would shoot her a pm and ask her for sure. If they do not require uvb, and you expose them to it, it may do more harm than good.
No one really knows if uv for pygmies is required or not. Personally i provide a low level uv of either 2 or 5%. As long as there is plenty of plants to provide shade/cover, i can't see a problem. I think personally it's more important to not have too bright an enclosure, as they definitely don't seem to like bright lighting in my limited experience of keeping pyg's. But as i said, lots of keepers don't provide uv & don't appear to have any problems. All down to individual keepers to decide really.
kdc5019
New Member
I provide UVB for all my pygmys and have had no problems. The Stump Tail book, which is the holy grail for raising pygmys, suggests that a low level of UVB should be provided.
With that being said, I use Old 6% Arcadia Bulbs, that are past their prime for my pygmy setups, provide dense foilage and ive had zero issues. Plenty of UVB basking spots, and plenty of shade.
The only thing I would watch is the temperature of the cage. The CFLs can push off alot of heat and raise the vivs temperature too high. I would recommend JD LEDs for the plant growth bulbs for the Viv.
With that being said, I use Old 6% Arcadia Bulbs, that are past their prime for my pygmy setups, provide dense foilage and ive had zero issues. Plenty of UVB basking spots, and plenty of shade.
The only thing I would watch is the temperature of the cage. The CFLs can push off alot of heat and raise the vivs temperature too high. I would recommend JD LEDs for the plant growth bulbs for the Viv.
myst
Member
I sparingly place a UVB, non heat emitting light on top of our pygmy enclosure for a 3-4 hours every couple of weeks. It is mainly just to keep the vines alive in the enclosure.
I have noticed no basking behaviors. One of the females tends to hide herself close to the ground and totally shaded after about 30 minutes. I worry about stressing her too much so it is used only 6-8 hours a month.
I have noticed no basking behaviors. One of the females tends to hide herself close to the ground and totally shaded after about 30 minutes. I worry about stressing her too much so it is used only 6-8 hours a month.
