Heat questions

[Checkers]

I have a Panther chameleon in a 24 "-24"-48" screen cage. i have the zoomed power sun 160w bulb and for night a red 100 watt zoomed. When I took a temprature reading in the highest basking area It was only about 82f. I now run both and get it around 87f is that too intense?

 

[summoner12]

I have a Panther chameleon in a 24 "-24"-48" screen cage. i have the zoomed power sun 160w bulb and for night a red 100 watt zoomed. When I took a temprature reading in the highest basking area It was only about 82f. I now run both and get it around 87f is that too intense?

There is NO reason to have any light on at night for chams. Just like you and I, they need to sleep. If the room your chameleon is in drops below 65*f then you should provide a heat emitter above the cage. If your cham is cold he will find the heat. His day time light should be on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. In the winter you can make it 10 hours on and 14 off.

Are you running both lamps in the day? or do you mean you turn them both on at night as well?

If I were you I would go with the trusted methods of cham lighting. When the time comes to replace your Powersun, or now if you have the money, purchase a linear Reptisun 5.0 tube lamp and a 50w or 75w heat lamp. Place the two side by side above a basking perch that is 6-8" from the fixtures. You can place both lamps right on top of the cage to start. You want a basking temp of 88-93ish... If it is too warm move the heat lamp higher or use a lower wattage. If its too cool put a higher wattage lamp and retest the temp reading.

Not everyone is a huge fan of the Powersun lamps.

To get more info about UV check out the UV Guide for some good reading.

 

[BocaJan]

Just get a clip on light with a regular household light bulb. That way you can leave your UV linear bulb on top of the cage for the best UV and adjust your clip on. At night the temps can go to 60 and your cham will be just fine.

 

[TheNewGuy]

I had one of those heat lamps that doesnt make any light for my cham and he hated it. Always went for the incandescent lamp for basking. It also made it too hot. I now run an incandescent 40w lamp over his basking spot and a reptisun 10 uvb and he seems to be warm and happy. The avg temp right now in the house (its winter here) is 68-70F. His basking spot is about 84F.