Light bulb struggle!!!

[Iceface2]

I have been surfing the web forever and I just cannot understand or settle on buying light bulbs for my panther chameleon enclosure. What is the difference between a basking and a regular light bulb?

 

[jpowell86]

Hello. Welcome to the Forums! A basking bulb is solely designed to put off heat. You do not need to waste money on an expensive basking bulb if you do not want to. A regular run of the mill incandescent bulb will do the trick just fine. Get a 60 - 75w bulb and that will produce plenty of heat for your cham to bask under. From there, you will need a UVB bulb and hopefully a grow light for all those beautiful live plants you will be putting in the enclosure. LightYourReptiles is a great place to get what you are needing for your enclosure. I would suggest taking some readings of your temps once the bulbs are installed just to make sure the wattage of bulb is sufficient for a Panther's basking requirements.

 

[Iceface2]

Hello. Welcome to the Forums! A basking bulb is solely designed to put off heat. You do not need to waste money on an expensive basking bulb if you do not want to. A regular run of the mill incandescent bulb will do the trick just fine. Get a 60 - 75w bulb and that will produce plenty of heat for your cham to bask under. From there, you will need a UVB bulb and hopefully a grow light for all those beautiful live plants you will be putting in the enclosure. LightYourReptiles is a great place to get what you are needing for your enclosure. I would suggest taking some readings of your temps once the bulbs are installed just to make sure the wattage of bulb is sufficient for a Panther's basking requirements.

Thank you so much for the information cant wait to buy my chameleon Also what type of UVB bulb for my cham?

 

[jpowell86]

Good, it is exciting! I would use the ReptiSun 5.0 Linear Bulb as it gives a better coverage throughout the enclosure.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Thank you so much for the information cant wait to buy my chameleon Also what type of UVB bulb for my cham?

Arcadia are the best bulbs on the market. Far superior to any ZooMed bulb. They produce more UVB, penetrate further from the bulb, last longer and are pretty much the same price. Look at Light Your Reptiles, a CF sponsor, sells them as does another chameleon breeder that I think is a site sponsor as well (I can't remember their name). Get a 12% bulb. I bought 6% for babies and regret it. The babies prefer the 12%.