Lighting

[jack frost]

I tried to search for a sticky for lighting. No success. Since the posts I found didn't answer my concerns I will pose the following questions:

What is the proper use of a mercury bulb?
What is the recommended wattage and brand?
What is the proper use of nightlites?
What is the recommended wattage and brand?

Any links will also be appreciated.

 

[Justin Carl]

I tried to search for a sticky for lighting. No success. Since the posts I found didn't answer my concerns I will pose the following questions:

What is the proper use of a mercury bulb?
What is the recommended wattage and brand?
What is the proper use of nightlites?
What is the recommended wattage and brand?

Any links will also be appreciated.

You need to very carefull with a MVB, they are very powerfull and get very hott.
Their are a lot of precautions you need to take with juvenille and baby chameleons.
I use them, but can be a waste of energy.
I use a 100 watt:http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...s/-/zoo-med-100-watt-powersun-uvb-heat-bulbs/
I also use a standard house bulb to supply UVA too.
So really you are better off with a reptisun 5.0 and a house bulb.
Night lights are not needed unless tmeperatures drop below 60 degrees.

 

[Dankmeleon]

i like 5.0 and 8.0 shoplites

 

[kinyonga]

This site has lots of information about lights....
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercuryvapourlamps.htm

They should not have light at night.

 

[jack frost]

You guys are great. I will try not to overheat them as well, I just want to make sure they have the needed UVA/UVB. I was reading that the light we provide produces a 1000th of the lux ( not sure what that is, but I the book says chams need it ) the sun provides. I have taken the warnings about the importance of UVB to chams to heart and don't wanna skimp on anything.

Also can I get directed to some good digital gauges and a light timer..the ones that came in my setup from chameleonsonly.com are analog and as HVAC trained tech I have very little faith in anything analog including thermostats.

 

[summoner12]

You will find that most people on this forum use the Reptisun 5.0 linear fluorescent tubes. Some might use the Reptisun 10.0 for larger cages with lots of coverage. Do not use compacts. They have not been perfected yet and expose your cham to UV in a range that is harmful.

A lot of people use house hold light bulbs for heat lamps because they give off UVA and are cheaper than purpose made UVA lamps at the pet store. I like the Zoomed blue daytime lamps. Mostly for the color.

As for finding out what is best, definitely head to the link Kinyonga has posted, it is the bible of lighting.

 

[summoner12]

Home Depot sells a nice timer that is digital and can have multiple on off settings. They also have a version that is just one On and one Off preset.

Edit: The timer I got could also turn lights on and off with DST. It could also use dawn and dusk settings that change based on the time of year and your location.

 

[Dankmeleon]

jack frost I dunno if you are new to chameleons or not but you are certainly making excellent progress, new orleans gets beautiful weather most of the season if I were you I'd do all that I can to get my chams outdoors as a few hours of natural sunlight, imo does WONDERS for the cham's metabolism

 

[jack frost]

So if i use this bulb, Zoo Med 100 watt Powersun UVB heat bulb, do I still need the fluorescent bulbs? Are they providing the same thing or is the Powersun bulb my basking bulb?


I think I answered my own question didn't I.

Dank I plan on taking them outside as much as possible, I repossessed the former carport turned extra room which has nice double doors for easy access outside and order those lower and wide sitting selves to make the moves as smooth as possible. I can also open the doors and let the breeze in to provide fresh and humid air in the spring and summer. I am very excited about this as I plan on this being the wife and I's main job when we retire ( she already is, thanks chrysler! ).

 

[xoiceox]

I have a question!!! The top of my cage's screen is caving in ( I guess from the pressure of the lights) I am able to hang the heat light, but how in the world can I get the flourescent to hang or not touch the top of the cage???

 

[summoner12]

So if i use this bulb, Zoo Med 100 watt Powersun UVB heat bulb, do I still need the fluorescent bulbs? Are they providing the same thing or is the Powersun bulb my basking bulb?


I think I answered my own question didn't I.

Dank I plan on taking them outside as much as possible, I repossessed the former carport turned extra room which has nice double doors for easy access outside and order those lower and wide sitting selves to make the moves as smooth as possible. I can also open the doors and let the breeze in to provide fresh and humid air in the spring and summer. I am very excited about this as I plan on this being the wife and I's main job when we retire ( she already is, thanks chrysler! ).

The Powersun will provide heat and UVB out of the same lamp.

Here is a link you can read more about the lamp. I don't like that findings that the gradient of UVB is so different between lamps. Unless you have a meter or know someone with one you won't be sure about the amount of actual UVB at your basking spot. I would be careful with setting up this lamp. Make sure you have the right temps and distances so that you don't cook your cham.

A lot of people use the simple setup of a Reptisun 5.0 along with a simple UVA heat lamp for basking. Can't go wrong with what lot of people have been doing with lots of success IMHO.

 

[Dankmeleon]

no matter what, you are always going to find that chams housed outdoors have more vigor. Its not only the natural photoperiod but that has a lot to do with it.

thats why i also recomend people keep a screen reptarium at least out doors with lots of plants so they can put there guy outside to cage some rays and heat

to give an example, outdoor chameleons do better for a lot more reasons than just the sun. light wind always helps, morning dew is always a plus, natural rain a def plus...etc etc


the only thing not positive about outdoors is extreme heat, and predators

did i forget anything?

 

[golfish]

the only thing not positive about outdoors is extreme heat, and predators

did i forget anything?

not sure, snow and freezing rain maybe?