Heating

[mgebbie]

I'm new to the forum. I'm planning on getting a male veiled chameleon this weekend, but I'd like to have my set-up ready prior to bringing the little guy home. I wasn't sure if I needed a special 50 watt heat bulb or if an 50 watt incandescent bulb would work fine.

Thanks in advance

 

[pbveiled]

A regular bulb will work fine. The wattage you need will depend on how far the bulb is from the basking spot. The basking spot should be around 85 degrees.

 

[carol5208]

Welcome to the forums! You are smart getting everything set up BEFORE you get your cham! Smart thinking! you know you need a UVB bulb in addition to the UVA basking bulb right?

 

[mgebbie]

During the summer my apt. is about 74 F, and I plan to have the basking spot approximately 6 inches from the bulb. During the winter the temp will probably drop to about 70 F. So perhaps a 50 W or 100 W?

 

[mgebbie]

I have a 5.0 UVB reptisun on the way.

 

[Sticktongue]

Go to home depot and get a digital device that reads temps and humidity. They are about 10 dollars. Put it when your basking spot is and try a few different bulbs and see what temps they give you. Where my cage is in the house, i use a 75 watt to get to 84 degrees. But thats because its around 65-70 in that room in the summer.

 

[carol5208]

70 degrees is ok and even in the 60's at night is ok too. You just have to adjust your wattage accordingly. You could use a 100 watt if your apartment is going to be cold. You want to achieve around 85 degree basking or so. It depends on what the temps and conditions are in each individual household. If you didn't have AC and your house was in the 80's during the day you might not need a basking bulb or a very low wattage one.