I've been thinking about growing live plants inside my chameleons enclosure, and also keeping my chameleon healthy and happy. So I was wondering if its ok to use a Reptisun 5.0 bulb for my chameleon and a full spectrum bulb for growing my plants indoors. As long as the temperatures stay chameleon-friendly, would this be a good idea?
Lighting Idea
- Thread starter mark17
- Start date
Dave Legacy
New Member
I recommend using multiple tubes aside from the UVB tube. I run two 48" Dual Bulb T12 Fixtures w/Three Phillips Daylight Tubes and one Reptisun 5.0 UVB tube. I feel that my cages are still too poorly lit.
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
The phillips daylight tubes are good for the plants.
I also use a full spectrum tube in addition to the 5.0 and am able to keep hibiscus and bougainvilla (both high light requirement plants) in the enclosures with good success.
-Brad
I also use a full spectrum tube in addition to the 5.0 and am able to keep hibiscus and bougainvilla (both high light requirement plants) in the enclosures with good success.
-Brad
Dave Legacy
New Member
I'm the worst at keeping plants alive so I end up replacing them every few months.
Where abouts do you place the two tubs Brad. Also doe sthat includ using a basking bulb/lamp (silly question on seconds thought lol)
SoCaliSon
Avid Member
I feel that Dave... I make it a routine going to Lowes everyweekend to buy more plants, Just so I can always have some outside, ready to bring in once one in a cage starts to die. I kill more plants than a Lumberjack, I have like 6 dead hibiscus outside I am trying to bring back to life.
wendysjungle
New Member
I'm glad you asked this question, as I asked the same thing below but didn't really get a reply. Can any of you recommend a good full spectrum you have found works well for plant growth? My schleffera says the lighting requirements are high. I avoided putting a ficus in there because I kill them. It's weird, I can grow almost anything, but I have killed every ficus benjamina I have ever laid my hands on, no matter what I do.
SoCaliSon
Avid Member
Wendy,
Last time I was at Lowes the had great deals on Flourecent Plant grow lights from GE, all sorts of them... I think it was like 6 bucks no matter what size you got. I have never tried them, and wouldn't know the specs or performance on these compared to other brands, But I am going to be buying a big 2 bulb fixture and will definately be doing this. Seems like little effort to give your plants more of a chance of making it.
Also with your Ficus killing thing, I found that I was over watering before when I was killing them like crazy... You want to let the soil dry out before you water it each time. If you kept them in spots where they got a lot of water then that might have been your problem. I adjusted that and it has helped dramatically.
Last time I was at Lowes the had great deals on Flourecent Plant grow lights from GE, all sorts of them... I think it was like 6 bucks no matter what size you got. I have never tried them, and wouldn't know the specs or performance on these compared to other brands, But I am going to be buying a big 2 bulb fixture and will definately be doing this. Seems like little effort to give your plants more of a chance of making it.
Also with your Ficus killing thing, I found that I was over watering before when I was killing them like crazy... You want to let the soil dry out before you water it each time. If you kept them in spots where they got a lot of water then that might have been your problem. I adjusted that and it has helped dramatically.
wendysjungle
New Member
Thanks, I'll try Lowe's tonight, as I have to return a plant there anyway.
As for my experience with ficus, I tried everything. I watered less and they died, I watered more and they died, I bought special "ficus vitamins" and they died. I didn't even try to put one in Joyce's cage, just went for the schleffera tree instead so I could avoid another ugly ficus death!
As for my experience with ficus, I tried everything. I watered less and they died, I watered more and they died, I bought special "ficus vitamins" and they died. I didn't even try to put one in Joyce's cage, just went for the schleffera tree instead so I could avoid another ugly ficus death!
