Lighting for Jackson

[mnlwfan]

I purchased my six month old female Jackson from someone that didn't have time for her and she came with a coiled UVB bulb. I see a lot of posts out there about how the coiled UVB bulbs are bad for reptiles, but these posts are also five years old or older. Have there been changes in the coiled UVB bulbs over the past few years or are they still bad for my Jackson?

If the coiled UVB bulb is not recommended, please let me know your thoughts on lighting my 18x18x36 screen enclosure. Pictures of the appropriate bulbs would be helpful.

 

[dereckperkins]

Light

I think it should be fine, so long as she is not right up on it. I have heard that it can burn there skin, I don't know if this is true and that's why I don't use them. I would recommend getting the long bulbs as soon as you can, you may not need to but I would not risk burning off the poor lizards skin.

I have two Jackson chams and they both get as close to the lights as physically possible, so if you do continue to use the coil make sure they can't get to close to it.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

The reasons I use linear tube light is because it covers much more ground and in my opinion is better for plant growth.

In the past, possibly 5 years ago, there were problems with the coiled lights damaging chameleon's eyes. I believe the problem has been solved but most people on the forums use and recommend the reptisun 5.0 linear tube bulb.

If you want to spend some more money for a far superior product go with the arcadia t5 6% uvb linear light. You can get one from lightyourreptiles.com. You will not regret it, great product!

 

[kplatvoet]

For my jacksons cage I use this
http://canvaschams.com/product/24-ho-t5-dual-light-fixture-arcadia-6-6-5k-daylight-bulb/
With a jackson the living plants help keep up the humidity and this has been working to keep her plants alive
The acadia blub last longer - I have t8 bulbs that I'm waiting till they run their course and I'll upgrade my other two cages also. For those cages I now use the arcadia t8 bulbs in standard fixtures.

 

[mnlwfan]

Thanks for all the info. One other question...what makes the arcadia product better?

 

[kplatvoet]

It doesn't have to be replaced as often is the big advantage - people with UBV meters who've tested them against other brands haven't gotten as good readings with other brands as with Arcadia lights - Todd at LightMyReptiles and Canvas are both forum sponsors - both give great customer service- a zoomed will last 6 months and you can get them online for 20 bucks the same T8 will Arcadia costs 23.99 and lasts 9 -

You might be interested in this -
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/lighting-guide/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/definitive-lighting-thread-everything-you-really-need-know-80869/