Lighting - comments/suggestions

[gwilliams]

Hi everyone,

After going to the Vet yesterday with Cammie our female veiled - I wanted to make sure we're using the correct lighting - I hear so many different things on what lighting is best - can you all help a little?

I've attached a photo of the bulb we currently use on all of our chams.

Thank you!

 

[KatiLemons]

You need a linear Repti sun (or glo) 5.0 for UVB and a regular house bulb 60 w for basking. 100w is WAY to high and could burn her. They also don't provide any UVB rays.

 

[gwilliams]

How would I use a linear with a tall mesh/screen cage? She has an extra large repti-breeze cage - so the heat at the bottom is much cooler than the top - also, these have 100% UVA/UVB Rays.....

Thanks!

 

[KatiLemons]

I could be wrong but i have never seen this bulb or heard of it being appropriate to use for chams without causing health issues. Plus in my opinion a 100w bulb is too much. What are the temps of your cage? If you choose to use a reptisun, you can buy a light fixture at lowes or home depot and just lay it on the top of the screen.

 

[gwilliams]

Okay - thank you! I will start the task of changing all of my cages over - I keep hearing of everyone talking about the Reptisun 5.0 -
Thanks again!

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

powersuns as stated, provide proper uvb/uva and heat all in what.

the questions you have to ask yourself though are
1) how much uvb does it put out
2) is the heat to much for my cham?

i've never used the product before, as i've never had a need to, but from what i've been told, also get much hotter than regular bulbs

they are meant to be full spectrum for dessert-type conditions. as it could be used for some species, i still wouldn't even use it on a veiled!

so to answer your question, i'd be confident to say no you're not using the right lights

a 24'' ZooMed ReptiSUN 5.0 should do it for your cage, along with a separate basking bulb.

 

[Jimturner]

Your choice of bulb is fine. I have used this type of mercury vapour bulb for years without any problems. If you have live plants in your cages they would benefit from the addition of a grow light tube. Cheers!

 

[gwilliams]

Jim -

Thanks for the response! I do have live plants and they thrive in this environment - and have been using these bulbs for over 2 years - I was just reading everything in quite a few threads where they talk about the Reptisun 5.0 so am just making sure I'm not doing something wrong!
Cheers!
Glenna

 

[KatiLemons]

Your choice of bulb is fine. I have used this type of mercury vapour bulb for years without any problems. If you have live plants in your cages they would benefit from the addition of a grow light tube. Cheers!

Jim,
thanks for the info. Its always nice to know that there are other options other than the Reptisun. I do have a question for you though! Do you still have to change this bulb every 6-8 months like the Reptisun or do they last longer?

 

[Jimturner]

i was curious about the UV output of these bulbs and was surprised when I measured them with a solarmeter... not much more UV output than a linear tube. They do seem to last a bit longer as well... I have a few that are still in the correct range after a year. The only concern would be the heat they can put off... just be sure of your basking temps. Cheers!

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

Jim, what species have you used this on?

 

[Jimturner]

Panthers, veileds, carpets & melleri

 

[KatiLemons]

I would think that using a dimmer would be the best way to control the temprature.

 

[ShortStack]

I would think that using a dimmer would be the best way to control the temprature.

Then you would be messing with the UVB output. Not good.

Using a larger dome to reflect the UVB while raising the height of the light ensures good UVB coverage while being able to control the temps.

I personally find it easier to use CFL bulbs for UVB and a separate baskIng bulb for heat. I can control the wattage to control the temperature.

 

[Jimturner]

These bulbs won't work on a dimmer... they are similar to a flouresent tube, with a gas (mercury vapour) excited by an electrical charge.

 

[heartben]

ive been using the 100watt powersun on my free range for my panther for a few weeks now with zero ill effects. the heat isnt really anymore than a normal 100w bulb in my experience.

anyways if youre using it on a cage id make extra sure the temps are right.. maybe have it further away from the cage itself?

my cham actually seems to prefer it, i havent seen any squinting or swelling of the eyes or anything like that at all and im pretty paranoid about it.

id say its fine if you set it up right and keep and eye on the chams eyes - but all i have to offer is my own personal experience.

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

if it makes more experienced people skeptical (such as yourself) with the Mercury content in it, than maybe it's a product that should be promoted for newer keepers to stay away from?

i mean, if it has worked ok for you and jim, thats good. but imho better safe than sorry to someone who doesnt know entirely what their doing as far as husbandry.

i'm only against it in preference because of the higher heat content it gives out, and the uvb level which is still (unknown) to me.

 

[gwilliams]

Heartben -

I agree - the heat in her cage is (top) around 80 and bottom around 70 - and she really seems to enjoy it and have never had any health problems... I was just wondering due to the fact that Cammie has been trying to lay eggs for 5 days now to no avail....

Thanks again everyone!

 

[heartben]

i suppose i meant im paranoid about putting him in any sort of danger in general - this bulb doesnt bug me anymore.. of course i read to see if anyone else used the bulb before i went ahead and bought it and im glad i did.

id agree with you though, it is probably safer to stick with the normal set up most people use.. just depends on what you want to do/what you feel comfortable with.

in my experience as far as heat goes - the normal 40-60 watt incandescent doesnt get the basking spot hot enough in my room so ive been using 100 watt since i got my cham and the temps with this bulb are slightly lower that my last 100 watt bulb..around 20ish inches away its around 84 and around 14ish its closer to like 90 (which my cham prefers, even hotter would probably be better for him) but he can move up or down/around as he see fit.

i should also note i have this at an angle (almost 45 degrees probably) hanging from my ceiling and not straight down directly on a screen. not sure if that effects anything or not.

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

.

i should also note i have this at an angle (almost 45 degrees probably) hanging from my ceiling and not straight down directly on a screen. not sure if that effects anything or not.

really dont think it does anything to increase/decrease temps. but for sure helps and aid to metabolism if uva is mixed in with basking bulb heat.