Heat too high in enclosure?

[Jared910]

I live in northern California and it has been getting very hot lately and it will only get higher as the summer progresses. I live in a crappy apartment with awful air conditioning and the ambient temperature in the house hovers around 85 degrees. For a juvenile chameleon, I know that the basking temp should be around 90 degrees, and although i haven't measured it, I'm sure its a bit higher than that. I have a mistking thats set to water somewhat often, so he has plenty of opportunities to drink, but I'm still concerned about the heat in the room. Theres honestly not much I can do about the ambient temp in my house, but would it be wise to turn off the basking light during certain points in the day, and only leave on the UVB light? Does anyone have any recommendations to ensure the health of my cham in such a hot climate?

 

[Nursemaia]

Are you measuring the temps? If it's too hot I'd turn off the basking bulb. I don't even use one because my reptile room gets so warm from all my other lights

 

[Jared910]

Are you measuring the temps? If it's too hot I'd turn off the basking bulb. I don't even use one because my reptile room gets so warm from all my other lights

Thats what I was thinking, if the ambient temp is high enough without needing a basking light, is it OK to just turn it off? I guess I could get a low watt bulb to have light in the cage but only increase the heat as little as possible... or maybe use an LED light...

 

[Jared910]

What is the best light to get that won't increase the heat? I already have 1 reptisun 5.0, should I add another? or will a low wattage fluorescent not raise the temp very much. I just checked the temperature with my current 100 watt bulb and his basking spot is a little over 100 degrees, I know that's too hot but will a 75 watt bulb even change the temps that much at all? I need some way to light up the cage without increasing the heat, maybe an LED light? Is that OK for a chameleons eyes or anything

 

[MSMorgan]

What is the best light to get that won't increase the heat? I already have 1 reptisun 5.0, should I add another? or will a low wattage fluorescent not raise the temp very much. I just checked the temperature with my current 100 watt bulb and his basking spot is a little over 100 degrees, I know that's too hot but will a 75 watt bulb even change the temps that much at all? I need some way to light up the cage without increasing the heat, maybe an LED light? Is that OK for a chameleons eyes or anything

If you have a 5.0 reptisun, that will be fine for lighting. Don't add more lighting /heat if your enclosure is over 100*. 80-90*for basking is fine. Make sure you have varied bioclimatic zones for your cham. Figure out your ambient temp. (room temp.) and go from there. If you want more light, you may try a florescent or lower watt light. If you have questions, PM me.

 

[Nursemaia]

Led lights won't add heat but will give light. I use a LED grow light for my plants and my chams bask under it too.