Lighting for Oustalets?

[Kaianuanu]

I'm working on putting together an enclosure for an oustalets. I am about to order a 24x24x48 aluminum screen cage from LLL Reptile and I figured I might as well order the light I need too. All my local retailers are a lot more expensive. I have already decided to go the mercury vapor route but I am not sure which to get, What wattage is good for this species and cage size? I will probably run it on a dimmer. Also, are the Powersun's really better than Lethe other brands? Because they cost like $20 more. The fluker's and Exo-terra versions look the same to me.

 

[deadhd5]

How old will your Oustalet be? I would encourage you to avoid MH if you will be getting a young chameleon.

Out of curiousity, why are you choosing MH lighting?

 

[Kaianuanu]

I want to get a CB so probably younger than a subadult. And I like the mercury vapor simply because i like the idea of having only one fixture to worry about.

 

[nightanole]

I wouldnt get a MV for a chameleon. They are a spot light meant to be shined on a rock to light up a 1ft square area of the tank for basking. Doesnt really work out for a cham.

Also if you do stick with MV, remember you need a MV and a normal basking light. Your chan shouldnt have to choose uv+heat or nothing at all.

I would stick with a reptisun 10.0 or an arcadia 6% or the new T5 HO reptisun 10.0.

oh and if you want a man sized feeder:

PS: Im running both a 24" reptisun 10.0 for the outsidish cage, and a arcadia 6% on the inside of the cage.

 

[Kaianuanu]

I guess MV is not as popular as I thought, now that you have me reconsidering. So if i were to go the fluorescent route. Would the t5 HO fixture linked below be adequate for the 24x24x48 cage? Also, it comes with the 5.0 bulb, is this okay? Also, what would be my alternatives? (I really don't want to go much more expensive than this)

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...s/-/zoo-med-24-t5-high-output-terrarium-hood/

 

[deadhd5]

I guess MV is not as popular as I thought, now that you have me reconsidering. So if i were to go the fluorescent route. Would the t5 HO fixture linked below be adequate for the 24x24x48 cage? Also, it comes with the 5.0 bulb, is this okay? Also, what would be my alternatives? (I really don't want to go much more expensive than this)

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...s/-/zoo-med-24-t5-high-output-terrarium-hood/

What you have linked will work out great for that cage size in combination with a simple basking light for heat. I would suggest a regular incadescent flood light (75w-100w).

Good luck

 

[nightanole]

That should be very nice. A reptisun 5.0 T5 HO should put out the same amount of UV as a 10.0 T8 since it is double the wattage per foot.

Use the 5.0 it came with, and in six months come back to the forums and see if anyone has tested the new 5.0 & 10.0 HO bulbs. The are made at the same plant as the nice T8 bulbs.

I just need to research what the new bulbs put out in terms of µW/cm² and not odd terms like "10% OF THE LIGHT IS UVB". Think about it, i could have a 10.0 2watt bulb, that isnt going to help the cham at all. On the other hand i could also have a 5.0 200watt bulb that would roast the poor thing.

 

[Kaianuanu]

Thanks a ton guys, looks like I'll be getting that one after all. You guys can expect a lot more questions from me in the next week or so.

 

[nightanole]

Thanks a ton guys, looks like I'll be getting that one after all. You guys can expect a lot more questions from me in the next week or so.

Yes like "how can it fit 2-3 dozen large crickets in it, everyday?".