need help! temp. questions!!

[chameleon884]

hi people. i have a 40w uva bulb for my chameleon, and it doesnt seem do be emitting that much heat. the heat barely reaches his basking spot. it did the trick when he was in his smaller old cage.
i have a 18x18x36 screen cage.
my cham is 10 1/2 months old.
he is about 15 inches long (total length)
male veiled chameleon

what wattage uva bulb do you think i should get?

 

[tdotcham]

put a digital timer under neath his basking spot and see how much it's actually getting.

 

[Syn]

Completely fill out the how to ask for help form. If you don't completely fill it out you are only hurting yourself.

How long have you been keeping chameleons?

 

[chameleon884]

Completely fill out the how to ask for help form. If you don't completely fill it out you are only hurting yourself.

How long have you been keeping chameleons?

ive had my cham for about 9 months. im just asking what wattage i should put but here ya go...

my chameleon: veiled, male, 10 months.
handling: only when i clean the cage, or move him.
feeding: crickets, i buy worms when i get the chance.
watering: i mist my cham 3x a day. i see him drink every day.
fecal description: brown/ black-ish poops with white urates.

cage type: 18x18x36 screen
lighting: exo terra reptiglo 5.0 and a uva 40w uva bulb.
humidity: 40-60 percent.
plants: i use real wood branches and fake plants and biovines. i want to get a umbrella plant.
placement: it is not located near any air vents, or high traffic areas.
location: im in northwest indiana.


again, i just want to know the appropriate wattage for my cager size.
also it is around 70 degrees in his basking spot. (i know thats a little low)
the heat only measures down 6 inches.

 

[Syn]

ive had my cham for about 9 months. im just asking what wattage i should put but here ya go...

my chameleon: veiled, male, 10 months.
handling: only when i clean the cage, or move him.
feeding: crickets, i buy worms when i get the chance.
watering: i mist my cham 3x a day. i see him drink every day.
fecal description: brown/ black-ish poops with white urates.

cage type: 18x18x36 screen
lighting: exo terra reptiglo 5.0 and a uva 40w uva bulb.
humidity: 40-60 percent.
plants: i use real wood branches and fake plants and biovines. i want to get a umbrella plant.
placement: it is not located near any air vents, or high traffic areas.
location: im in northwest indiana.


again, i just want to know the appropriate wattage for my cager size.
also it is around 70 degrees in his basking spot. (i know thats a little low)
the heat only measures down 6 inches.

Can you post a picture of your set up?

With only 70 degrees at the basking spot he may not be able to digest his food very well...

 

[chameleon884]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-cage-setup-must-see-46485/
also if i find out, i could just run to the pet store and buy a new light really quick. no bg deal!

 

[Syn]

Did you ever make any changes? There were suggestions made on that thread.

I am asking so many other questions to try to help you prevent any future problems from happening, since it seems like you have had so many questions of late.

Just trying to help.

 

[Silkyslim]

I use a 75 watt bulb in my 2x2x4.

Right now the basking temp is reading 86.7 9" away

Digital thermometer I got has a probe for outdoor use from Menards, it was 20 bucks might be a really good investment

 

[chameleon884]

Did you ever make any changes? There were suggestions made on that thread.

I am asking so many other questions to try to help you prevent any future problems from happening, since it seems like you have had so many questions of late.

Just trying to help.

i actually did make some changes. i took that big log out of the bottom. (it was just a hiding place for the crickets) and i put in some more fake leaves to make it more dense in there. if i can get a new light today, i want to buy another bio-vine. those are actually really good! yesterday i went outside and picked up a few sticks for his cage. (have'nt gotten around to baking/ washing them yet.)

do you see any problems with my husbandry? i dont want a sick chamleon......
please tell me if you see anything wrong, and i will try to fix it, it wont hurt my feelings.

sooooo have any suggestions on the light?

 

[Syn]

Get pictures of the current set up.

As far as the light goes you need to figure it out yourself. The current bulb you are using isn't getting warm enough so you need a higher wattage.

 

[tdotcham]

from the looks of it, your cham can get pretty close to the bulb by grabbing onto the screen as well. I'd suggest changing that so that if he is going to bask, atleast you'll be able to know where he is and how far he is from there to get an accurate temperature reading.

I am no expert myself, and have only been keeping for a month now... however I have done a lot of reading on this forum. My suggestion to you would be to firstly place the uvb bulb your using over the basking spot, and then angle your heat light so that it shines in the same spot. This way your cham doesnt seperate it's time as they love to chill under the heat compared to the uvb bulb.

As for wattages, try a 60w or 75 w household bulb. Right now I use a 75w and it gets the temperates around 86. There isnt a need for you to go out and buy some expensive heat bulb from the pet store.

 

[chameleon884]

ok thanks guys!

 

[Julirs]

Just pop a regular old 75 watt household lightbulb in there, it will get him plenty warm. Don't tell the pet store owners I told you since I know them! Regular lightbulb $.25, pet store bulb $4.00!

 

[chameleon884]

Just pop a regular old 75 watt household lightbulb in there, it will get him plenty warm. Don't tell the pet store owners I told you since I know them! Regular lightbulb $.25, pet store bulb $4.00!

haha yeah!
also, is there a difference between a house bulb and a reptile uva bulb?

 

[kinyonga]

You didn't mention supplements...do you use any??
Do you gutload/feed a nutritious diet to the insects?

As was said...all you need is a regular INCANDESCENT household light bulb in a domed hood to provide a basking spot. The wattage to use is whatever puts the basking spot at the right temperature (mid to high 80's for a veiled male).

 

[chameleon884]

oh sorry! i do use supplements
caluim
calcium w/d3
and herptivite

i gutload my crickets with potatoes, orange, and dry cerial.

 

[kinyonga]

You could/should give the crickets. superworms, roaches, etc. a wide assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.).