Furcifer pardalis crown discoloration (BLACK)

[Solid Snake]

Whoa! That is a cool fixture! Here is what I would do:
Turn one of them off and remove it(for another cham?) Then, take the CF out of the remaining fixture, put his basking bulb in where one of the CF is at.
VIOLA! pefecto! Yes yes, anymore is just wasting your electricity and endangering the chams eyes. That is definetly an awsome fixture.

 

[carol5208]

Please listen to what the others have told you about the lighting! Most of us have enclosures that are 48 X 24 X 24 and we use ONE I repeat ONE 5.0 Reptisun tube. Some use a 10.0 (max) but the majority use a 5.0. You only need one small area of the cage to be about 90 degrees for basking. no need to heat the whole cage up. This way your chameleon can cool down when he wants to by getting out of the basking area. When your chameleon wants UVB or needs it he will go under the UVB light. Provide a branch or vine about 8 or so inches below both basking and uvb light. Use a plain calcium with no d3 at every feeding. The one with the d3 twice amonth or so and same goes for a multivitamin. That is the dusting schedule most of us use and we are successful with it. We can only give you advice on what has worked for us and what has produced healthy chameleons. It is up to you whether you want to take our adivce from experience or venture out on your own. Also no heat or light at night unless your cage temps are going to dip into the low 50's or so. Edit: looking back at your enclosure, the brightness is just too extreme. You are not creating a natural environment for him. There is really no place for him to escape the bright lights other than to go to the cage floor. Lastly, I am curious who gave you the advice or recomendation on this lighting set up. In checking on the Mercury Vapor Bulb you are using-that bulb not only emits UVA but also UVB. You are on uvb OVERKILL here!!!

 

[carol5208]

To the OP, I hope you are making the necessary changes!! you could us 2 24 inch 5.0 to extend the with of the cage. That would be plenty!

 

[JackP308]

Sounds like way to much UVB, I don't know but 7 10.0s to me is way beyond overkill. Id change them to whats recommended here and see if you chameleon improves. It won't hurt to try.

 

[xeonic]

The changes to the lighting have been made is per Solid Snakes recommendations. One 10.0 48" Tube with one CF 10.0 Bulb by the Mercury Vapor Basking Lamp.

The Next question I have is do you think this will be enough lighting for my plants? Can I use a different type of light source that doesn't provide UVB for the plants?

I will Also stop using the Heat Lamps. I have noticed Snickers has not been active since I have done so. But I have been working allot with little time to observe his day time behavior. I'll keep a closer Eye on him on days off.

 

[JackP308]

Yes you can put a 48 inch tube for plants, I like to use the ones the read 6500k on the bulbs. Nice plant growth you can actually use few of them if you wanted. It makes better visual light too at 6500k. They don't put out much heat either.

 

[xeonic]

just a regular 48 Inch tube you get at a hardware store?

 

[JackP308]

just a regular 48 Inch tube you get at a hardware store?

yes, just look at the color temps usually say like 3500k or 6500K. Size are T8s I use, I like to use 6500k. I picked some up from home depot. I have the dual hoods from there too. $20 bucks you can fit 2. I have a 5.0 in the other slot.

If I had extra money to spend and the fixture which seems you have the fixture at least. You can always even buy the Repti Glo 2.0s they give off some awesome lighting I think. That won't be over doing it either. If you ran a few of them you could maybe just run your 1 10.0 tube. without even using the other by the basking bulb. Sorry if Im getting confusing now.

 

[Bernie]

I use a 10.0 tube but it passes through screen so this is fine. In your case a single 5.0 is perfect.

 

[Panther16]

Yup way too much uvb. 5.0 is the way to go (reptisun)

 

[carol5208]

The changes to the lighting have been made is per Solid Snakes recommendations. One 10.0 48" Tube with one CF 10.0 Bulb by the Mercury Vapor Basking Lamp.

The Next question I have is do you think this will be enough lighting for my plants? Can I use a different type of light source that doesn't provide UVB for the plants?

I will Also stop using the Heat Lamps. I have noticed Snickers has not been active since I have done so. But I have been working allot with little time to observe his day time behavior. I'll keep a closer Eye on him on days off.

so lets get this straight: You have one 48 inch 10.0 and another coil 10.0 plus the Mercury Vapor lamp? Are you aware that the mecury vapor lamp ALSO puts out UVB? So you have 3 uvb sources right now. You just need the ONE 10.0(it covers the width of your cage) If you are sticking with that, scrap the mercury vapor bulb and swap that out for a 60 watt ordinary housebulb or something that will achieve about a 90 degree basking temp. Put a branch or vine about 9 inches below the housebulb and measure your temp exactly where your chameleon will sit. Because your cage is so wide, you could do another basking area with another housebulb if you wish. My cage is 36 wide and I have two basking areas. One bulb is 60 and one is 25. The 25 is more so to light up the cage but he will bask under it from time to time also.

 

[Solid Snake]

so lets get this straight: You have one 48 inch 10.0 and another coil 10.0 plus the Mercury Vapor lamp? Are you aware that the mecury vapor lamp ALSO puts out UVB? So you have 3 uvb sources right now. You just need the ONE 10.0(it covers the width of your cage) If you are sticking with that, scrap the mercury vapor bulb and swap that out for a 60 watt ordinary housebulb or something that will achieve about a 90 degree basking temp. Put a branch or vine about 9 inches below the housebulb and measure your temp exactly where your chameleon will sit. Because your cage is so wide, you could do another basking area with another housebulb if you wish. My cage is 36 wide and I have two basking areas. One bulb is 60 and one is 25. The 25 is more so to light up the cage but he will bask under it from time to time also.

I agree with Carol. You need to remove the CF, sorry if I mislead you, but I did not intend for you to keep any of the CF. Your linear 10.0 is way better than the CF's. I would also do as carol suggests and switch to a 60-75watt regular household bulb for the basking light. If the cage is still dark, get the 6500k ti put in your other fixture. Im glad you are making an effort to get Snickers in an appropriate home. We love these animals and only want the best for them! I had alot to correct when I first started with them Its ok though, just change the lights as stated, and his housing will be great!

 

[drcrossfire]

I agree with Carol. You need to remove the CF, sorry if I mislead you, but I did not intend for you to keep any of the CF. Your linear 10.0 is way better than the CF's. I would also do as carol suggests and switch to a 60-75watt regular household bulb for the basking light. If the cage is still dark, get the 6500k ti put in your other fixture. Im glad you are making an effort to get Snickers in an appropriate home. We love these animals and only want the best for them! I had alot to correct when I first started with them Its ok though, just change the lights as stated, and his housing will be great!

Why would he use a 10.0? 5.0 = tropical; 10.0 = Desert ... Unless I'm mistaken, you should drop the bulb to a 5.0

I do agree with everything else-- UV bulbs are not for lighting. I have a duel strip 48" with one 5.0 Reptisun and one regular bulb (spectrum of your choosing). Basking lamp should be a regular light bulb. CF's are unnecessary as you have the better linear option.

 

[Solid Snake]

Crossfire, a 10.0 through a screen or raised high up is considered acceptable by some. I have used a 10.0 with no ill effect. The 10.0 radiates uvbup to 24" the 5.0 12" Uvb is lost through screen material, this coupled with raising it higher seems to be ok. 5.0 seems to work just dandy through a screen as well. If he already has a 10.0, I dont see a problem with him using it, instead of spending more money...

 

[xeonic]

I wish I came here first. I spent way too much money on all these bulbs.

Anyone in the market for a T-Rex Mercury vapour bulb?

 

[Solid Snake]

! Lol, I was assuming you had all those on hand! Yes that would be expensive! You will need to swap one of the 10.0 linears after about 9months of use, so save the other one for that. The other bulbs, well, skeet practice maybe?

 

[melric]

Wow this thread is insane. I can't believe everything I'm reading.

Buddy, you need to do a little more research into panthers. You only need one basking light that emits temps in the low 80's. Ditch the mercury vapor bulb, and ceramic heaters. I'm surprised the Cham hasn't been charbroiled. Get a 5.0 UVB tube and listen to carol. That's all I got.

 

[xeonic]

Uh thanks Melric, I guess...
More research... right. got it, write that one down. do what Carol says, yes check that one off. Next going to work on my Picture avatar like yours. What do you think of a red head instead of a blond? I was thinking of a fist full of rings instead of a gold chain, and an Ed Hardy Shirt. That way my shirt will be so loud I can take the party with me.

 

[xeonic]

Thank youl.

I would like to thank mostly everyone for the help. While I have read through a few chameleon hand books the information can be misinterpreted, I assumed temperatures had to be higher from what the books have said. I also did not know you could fry your chameleon with UVB. The reason I had so many lights was for the plants in the tank. I will be purchasing more lights for the plants that do not provide UVB radiation. And yes I have removed all except one 10.0 linear.

 

[Cainschams]

Wow this thread is insane. I can't believe everything I'm reading.

Buddy, you need to do a little more research into panthers. You only need one basking light that emits temps in the low 80's. Ditch the mercury vapor bulb, and ceramic heaters. I'm surprised the Cham hasn't been charbroiled. Get a 5.0 UVB tube and listen to carol. That's all I got.

Has anyone looked at the pic of the cham? It looks to be in decent shape and he has had it for a while and it doesnt look like it will be on its death bed anytime soon. It does look a tad skinny however so if he needs the MV to keep temps up then why not give a little info on how to use one correctly? Of course there could be many reasons why the cham is a little skinny but has anyone noticed his basking temp is only 79? Improper basking temp can cause it not to be able to digest food properly yet you guys are telling him to get a lower wattage bulb to use? Hell, I give my montanes more of a basking site than that!!

I cant believe everything I am reading either. So much freaking attitude towards a person who is wanting to learn. Also no mention of the "ask for help form" to be filled out. Looks like he took it upon himself too. This happens over and over and without knowing his whole set up how can you even begin to help?

If you want to help someone how about do it with a little less attitude and get all the info before one starts spouting off what they think it may be. Not everyone are 1 and 2 year experts

OP, feel free to private message me if you want and I can give you some suggestions in a professional manner.