Lighting

[Snoopy]

So i'm planning on getting a chameleon and i can't sem to figure out why they need so many types of lights. So far i'm planning on getting one - the Reptisun 5.0 any other recommendations?

Btw if this is of importance my Terrarium is 12"x12"x18".

 

[sandrachameleon]

The Reptisun 5.0 is an excellent choice for providing needed UVB


What type of chameleon is it?

You will probably want to additionally supply a second light, to be a heat source. Chameleons bask in the warm rays of the sun, normally, to help warm themselves up. The Reptisun tube light isnt going to provide heat. So, you add a normal household tungsten incandescent light bulb to provide a basking spot. The wattage or the bulb wont need to be high, maybe 40 watt as your terrarium is quite small. You want to try to achieve a heat gradient, so that the chameleon can choose to move between temperatures, to thermoregulate, to get comfortable.

I've got a list of links to More info on lighting in this blog entry: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/68-lighting-links.html

If you are getting a veiled chameleon, you might want to also have a look at:
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/temperatures-and-thermoregulation.html

 

[Snoopy]

I'm planning to get a veiled chameleon seeing as it is my first one. Exactly how many lights would i have to get?

 

[sandrachameleon]

I'm planning to get a veiled chameleon seeing as it is my first one. Exactly how many lights would i have to get?

Two. the reptisun 5.0 for UVB, and a regular household bulb for thermoregulation

Assuming your home doesnt go below 15C / 60F at night, you do not need a heatsource at night. No lights at night.

Pictures of what you will need can be found in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-enclosure-19933/#post169360

Out of curiosity, What is your terrarium made out of? screen? glass? wood?

 

[summoner12]

Start by reading the UV Guide as to why you need the different kinds of light. This is one of those 'ya just need it' kind of things... Sorta like... when you go scuba diving and you ask 'why do i need all of these tanks and valves and hoses and masks?' Ya just do.....

 

[Snoopy]

So do i need:
- A Basking Light
- UVB Light
- Nightlight

I'm not too sure about the nightlight.

 

[Lille]

BUT! DO NOT GET A COMPACT! Only get a linear Repti-Sun. You will read alot on the forums about the compacts causing blindness. If your cage came with a hood for compacts you could probably get an aquarium hood to fit with linear.

 

[Snoopy]

what exactly is a compact? and i usually sleep with my window open do you think I'll need a nightlight?

 

[summoner12]

So do i need:
- A Basking Light
- UVB Light
- Nightlight

I'm not too sure about the nightlight.

What kind of temps do you get at night? If your ambient air temp in the room your cham is in does not drop below the 62-65 mark you should be fine (if getting a veiled). If you have a young cham you wanna keep the temp up just a bit more maybe 64-69 degrees. If your temps drop below that you should use a ceramic heater, NOT a red or blue 'night lamp' or 'moon lamp' or whatever they are called.

UVB should be a linear tube lamp. Get the Zoo Med 5.0 Reptisun. As for basking, a normal household lamp will work. I like to buy the Zoo Med spot lamps. You want your basking area for an adult to be 90-95 degrees. Having a lazer temp gun is a good idea for taking a surface reading on your animal.