Cham Safety Question

[andy27012]

I am in the process of setting up my new cham cages and have decided to go with one 48" flourescent instead of two seperate 24" units. I picked up a shop light at Lowes hardware today for around 10 bucks but when I got it home I saw that the bulbs were not recessed. Is it ok to have the bulbs sitting on the screen? My primary concern is that the metal ends of the flourescent tubes might electrify the screen and cage. Has anyone had experience with this? Not sure if it matters but I am running a GE "Sunlight" tube and a reptisun 5

 

[Carlton]

I am in the process of setting up my new cham cages and have decided to go with one 48" flourescent instead of two seperate 24" units. I picked up a shop light at Lowes hardware today for around 10 bucks but when I got it home I saw that the bulbs were not recessed. Is it ok to have the bulbs sitting on the screen? My primary concern is that the metal ends of the flourescent tubes might electrify the screen and cage. Has anyone had experience with this? Not sure if it matters but I am running a GE "Sunlight" tube and a reptisun 5

A simple fix for this: Put a small block of hardwood or piece of ceramic under each end of the shop light fixture to raise it a half inch or so off the screen. The fixture shouldn't get hot enough to be a concern.

 

[andy27012]

Thank you, that sounds like a great plan!

 

[sandrachameleon]

A simple fix for this: Put a small block of hardwood or piece of ceramic under each end of the shop light fixture to raise it a half inch or so off the screen. The fixture shouldn't get hot enough to be a concern.

that's what i've done too, so there was no pressure on the bulbs from the wood frames of my cages.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

i use a 48'' T8 double fixture, but i am running two 2' wide cages with it. why are you using a 4' light fixture for one cage?

 

[JohnnyD]

I have my one 48 inch over three cages. Have not had any problems with the lights sitting right on top.

 

[HecticZ]

i use a 48'' T8 double fixture, but i am running two 2' wide cages with it. why are you using a 4' light fixture for one cage?

I think he has 2 cages, thats why he said Chameleon Cages.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

right on, lol. i guess i just missed this plural lol.

 

[andy27012]

Thank you, yes I am planning on putting two 24x24x48 screen enclosures side by side with aquarium liner between them, and realized for less then it would cost me to buy a new zoomed fixture and bulb I could get the 48" shop light and the appropriate bulbs. just turned out cheaper this way. If anyone sees a problem with this please let me know, I am planning on housing a male panther in one cage and a female in the other cage.

 

[summoner12]

 

[Psi]

I would definitely do something to keep the bulb from touching the screen.
I'd be much more worried if the bulb shattered for some random reason.
There are so many bad things in those bulbs it's scary.

 

[summoner12]

I would definitely do something to keep the bulb from touching the screen.
I'd be much more worried if the bulb shattered for some random reason.
There are so many bad things in those bulbs it's scary.

I have never seen a fluorescent tube lamp break unless struck by a blunt object or dropped onto a blunt object. I have dropped lamps and not had them break. I don't believe fluorescent tubes operate at a warm enough temperature to shatter when introduced to water. I have sprayed many lamps without them breaking.

I agree that fluorescent tubes do have very very bad chemicals inside that are bad for you and your chameleon.......... but there isn't a cost effective barrier available to fully protect your animals...

 

[andy27012]

I decided to go the easy but stupid route and test it myself by using my body to try and complete the circuit, thankfully it is NOT electrified and that alleviates much of my concern. I thought about what I did after I did it and realized how much my chams will NEVER appreciate it! At least they will be safe!

 

[Silkyslim]

I decided to go the easy but stupid route and test it myself by using my body to try and complete the circuit, thankfully it is NOT electrified and that alleviates much of my concern. I thought about what I did after I did it and realized how much my chams will NEVER appreciate it! At least they will be safe!

Attaboy...or Attaman I guess haha sounds like something out of the red green show or things I would do.

 

[summoner12]

My primary concern is that the metal ends of the flourescent tubes might electrify the screen and cage. Has anyone had experience with this?

I must have skipped over this bit right here when I read the OP.

Those metal cap are only there for covering the end of the glass tube (it isn't pretty) and the metal is insulated from the two electrodes that connect to the filament inside of the lamp.

When I was young, a friend and I were playing in the basement of my house and we were just tall enough to reach up and touch the fluorescent light fixture hanging from the ceiling (low ceilings). We were both looking at the lamp and I said 'do ya think we'll get shocked if we touch those metal caps?' and my friend dared me to do it..... I reached up, sticking a finger out.... as I touched the metal cap I pretended to get zapped and my friend ran out of the room screaming

Here is a photo I took to show the difference between T8 and T12 lamps.... but you can see how the cap is separated from the electrodes.

 

[summoner12]

Found this on wiki...