How to determine what size UVB and heat lamp are needed

[kingfisherfleshy]

I don't want to buy one heat emitter and find out its not enough, or under do it UVB wise.

My house runs at about 70F and I'm looking to get a panther chameleon once I have the heat and uvb figured out.

Any advice would be great.

 

[NHenn]

If your house is around 70 you will be fine with just a 60-75 Watt basking bulb. There is no need to get a heat emitter unless your temps at night drop into the low 60s but even then it might not be necessary.

As for UVB, I highly recommend you check out a double HO T5 fixture. They are a little more expensive than others on the market but they will provide the best lighting possible for an indoor setup.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

Any good locations to get one of these T5? I usually use www.aquatraders.com for lighting my aquariums but their bulbs come in strange wattages and they are not bulbs intended for UVB.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Any good locations to get one of these T5? I usually use www.aquatraders.com for lighting my aquariums but their bulbs come in strange wattages and they are not bulbs intended for UVB.

I use the Reptisun 10.0 in all of my T5 fixtures. I also use aquatraders T5 fixtures. I have both dual bulb and quad bulb fixtures. Just get the fixture with the freshwater bulbs and replace one of them with a Reptisun bulb, which can be purchased online or in most pet stores.

You can also check out lightyourreptiles.com and get a fixture with 6500k bulb and an Arcadia UVB already in it.

 

[kplatvoet]

An Arcadia bulb doesn't need to be switched out as often - I use their T8's in two of my cages and I have a double fixture T5 for one. I am going to upgrade to the double fixtures T5 as soon as they are back in stock for at least one of the two - the other still has a couple of months left on the bulb and when it's getting near the end I'll replace that one also.
With cage with the T5 and the 6500 light I have much less problems keeping the plants alive -
I wish I had started out with all T5's -