lausnordah
New Member
Hi All,
I've read numerous posts with people offering their opinions (or maybe they were facts) on the amount of light to be provided to their chameleons.
I currently have a Deep Blue Solarxtreme Quad Bulb 24" fixture over my 2x2x4 cage. Only yesterday did I realize I'm a complete idiot for leaving the tempered glass lens on it. I hope I haven't caused MBD/killed my chameleon with my own stupidity. He seems to be doing well, but he's not as active as my baby panther. :edit: I had removed the lens when I realized what I'd done... I am horrified. =( :edit:
I'm using Arcadia lights (2 of these http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/products/d3-reptile-t5-lamp-2/) in the fixture along with 2 10k bulbs that came with the fixture for the plants. I touched one today while it was on and it's pretty hot.
I'm afraid of what will happen if the mister somehow got cold water on the lamps... I can imagine the bulbs would shatter and cut anything beneath them, which is why I had the lens on the fixture in the first place. So, I raised the light up about 6 inches from the top of the screen. The misters are about 2 inches below the screen, spraying into the cage at around a 45 degree angle.
After having done this, I want to make sure my chameleon is getting adequate UVB. According to the page I linked for the D3 reptile lights, at 40 centimeters (approx 15.75 inches) the amount of UVB available is 56uw/cm2 of UVB (since my light has a reflector). However, since I have a screen mesh top, I understand that can reduce the amount of UVB transmitted that distance by 20-50%. I've tried to set the basking area up around 10-12 inches below the UVB lights/fixture.
The bottom of my chameleon's cage is pretty dark because of the number of plants I have in the enclosure (2 large pothos, 1 4' hibiscus, 2 small spider plants, 2 small pothos, 1 medium ficus). I think he has a sufficient amount of variety if he needs to escape the heat or UVB... but I'm open to suggestions/ideas/constructive criticisms.
The answer to my question is probably: "Buy a Solarmeter 6.2" and my response is "OK, because I love my chams, I'll do this."
Before I go invest another 200 dollars into this adventure, I want to make sure I'm on the right path... Any thoughts?
References:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/definitive-lighting-thread-everything-you-really-need-know-80869/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/products/d3-reptile-t5-lamp-2/
I've read numerous posts with people offering their opinions (or maybe they were facts) on the amount of light to be provided to their chameleons.
I currently have a Deep Blue Solarxtreme Quad Bulb 24" fixture over my 2x2x4 cage. Only yesterday did I realize I'm a complete idiot for leaving the tempered glass lens on it. I hope I haven't caused MBD/killed my chameleon with my own stupidity. He seems to be doing well, but he's not as active as my baby panther. :edit: I had removed the lens when I realized what I'd done... I am horrified. =( :edit:
I'm using Arcadia lights (2 of these http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/products/d3-reptile-t5-lamp-2/) in the fixture along with 2 10k bulbs that came with the fixture for the plants. I touched one today while it was on and it's pretty hot.
I'm afraid of what will happen if the mister somehow got cold water on the lamps... I can imagine the bulbs would shatter and cut anything beneath them, which is why I had the lens on the fixture in the first place. So, I raised the light up about 6 inches from the top of the screen. The misters are about 2 inches below the screen, spraying into the cage at around a 45 degree angle.
After having done this, I want to make sure my chameleon is getting adequate UVB. According to the page I linked for the D3 reptile lights, at 40 centimeters (approx 15.75 inches) the amount of UVB available is 56uw/cm2 of UVB (since my light has a reflector). However, since I have a screen mesh top, I understand that can reduce the amount of UVB transmitted that distance by 20-50%. I've tried to set the basking area up around 10-12 inches below the UVB lights/fixture.
The bottom of my chameleon's cage is pretty dark because of the number of plants I have in the enclosure (2 large pothos, 1 4' hibiscus, 2 small spider plants, 2 small pothos, 1 medium ficus). I think he has a sufficient amount of variety if he needs to escape the heat or UVB... but I'm open to suggestions/ideas/constructive criticisms.
The answer to my question is probably: "Buy a Solarmeter 6.2" and my response is "OK, because I love my chams, I'll do this."
Before I go invest another 200 dollars into this adventure, I want to make sure I'm on the right path... Any thoughts?
References:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/definitive-lighting-thread-everything-you-really-need-know-80869/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/products/d3-reptile-t5-lamp-2/
