What about a t5 single mounted vertically to the stand on the side? How much light is too much for a Cham? I mean I obviously don‘t want to blind him...
Thanks, that makes sense...
Yes, and even when the sun is high noon, the power and reflected light penetrate the forest canopy from multiple angles like no amount of overhead lighting could do...
I definitely agree. No artificial light source can match the sun
Like I said, my lights are all on top, but wouldn’t those gradients occur in a horizontal fashion if the lights are on the side vs the top? I understand the original thought was having both side and top lit which could reduce the gradients depending on the size of the enclosure and how it’s furnished.
Here's my take, ya Lil’ Sneak...
Yeah theoretically sure I think it could be done. Not necessarily with the standard size cages we use though. IMO the gradients would still be effected. I run a few temp/humidity gauges in my enclosure. One at basking, one middle, and one 9 inches from the bottom. I get different temps and a humidity difference. While basking will site at 82 , 9 inches from the bottom I get a full 10 degree drop. With humidity it is the same. Middle and bottom being different humidity levels by about 5% and then about 15% lower then basking. Then there is placement of lighting such as T5 UVB you have to account for the UVI level. So essentially anywhere along one side they would be exposed then moving to the other side no exposure. This I would think would be problematic with chameleons being as how they go to the highest point to bask.
I agree, planting strategy is probably key, and a great way to maximize plant health... We have replaced the fern at the bottom that was not doing so hot with a snake plant that should do much better in the lower levels of light.Here's my take, ya Lil’ Sneak...
There are enclosures that come with (or people have installed) LED strips, e.g.
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiBreeze-Aluminum-Habitat/dp/B014Z4IOC2?th=1&psc=1
but AFAIK, those LED strips are only good for viewing a cham when ambient lighting is inadequate—they're not intended as supplemental plant lighting.
I agree that (and this is my opinion from my understanding of enclosure lighting) most lighting should come from the top—or slightly angled from the top. This could be from more than one source to increase lighting farther down, but all sources should be primarily from the top.
Looking at it from a plant perspective, different plants have different lighting requirements (e.g. full-sun, partial-sun, low-light, etc.) and enclosures can be planned & set up to take best advantage of these factors.
IOW, I'm planning my enclosure to have low-light plants at the bottom where they're likely to receive the least light, partial-sun plants at mid levels, and full-sun plants at or near the top.
No amount of planning is perfect, and adjustments may have to be made later, but it seemed like a plan...
It maybe more trouble than it's worth, I can absolutely concede that... I think you are correct in that some sort of temp/humidity gradients would have to be maintained, and vertical levels in a 23" space would probably not work. I still think it would be possible to add "some" additional lower level lighting and still maintain horizontal gradients sufficient for a proper habitat. I just love thinking about all of the little details! Interesting stuff!
LED bulbs are better than the t5’s? Do you have a link to what you’re thinking... I was under the assumption that the LED tech wasn’t quite there...but I’m certainly not a lighting expert... New to all of this in general! I just genuinely like “rabbit holes”!?
I love the SANSI lights
