New lights came in!!!

[LoosePin15]

I was needing a new bulb, so I figured I'd go ahead and upgrade my lighting system instead of just buying the new bulb. Can't believe the difference! I switched from a Reptisun mercury vapor to a new Arcadia system from Light Your Reptiles, and I honestly couldn't believe the difference. I figured it'd be better, but not this much. The only other times I've seen the colors on my boy I saw after installing the lights was in direct sun!

I went with the quad fixture with 12% Arcadia bulb, two 6.5K daylight bulbs and the LED moon light. Pictures below should show before installation, after and one with the LED lights. Thanks Todd!

 

[JoCarp]

Looks awesome! I did the same setup for my guy and couldn't have ask for more from the Light Your Reptiles folks! Todd was a great help to me and you're right, the lights are amazing!

 

[Wowbango]

I was needing a new bulb, so I figured I'd go ahead and upgrade my lighting system instead of just buying the new bulb. Can't believe the difference! I switched from a Reptisun mercury vapor to a new Arcadia system from Light Your Reptiles, and I honestly couldn't believe the difference. I figured it'd be better, but not this much. The only other times I've seen the colors on my boy I saw after installing the lights was in direct sun!

I went with the quad fixture with 12% Arcadia bulb, two 6.5K daylight bulbs and the LED moon light. Pictures below should show before installation, after and one with the LED lights. Thanks Todd!

Just curious, why did you choose to go with a 12% bulb? I was under the impression that's comparable to the 10.0 UVB, which is too high for most chams? The lighting is very nice though, This will be my next purchase once I move Nigel into his big boy cage.

 

[leedragon]

I wouldn´t have any night light for chamelons, it disturbeds them

 

[NHenn]

Just curious, why did you choose to go with a 12% bulb? I was under the impression that's comparable to the 10.0 UVB, which is too high for most chams? The lighting is very nice though, This will be my next purchase once I move Nigel into his big boy cage.

This can be the case if it was a single bulb fixture but when you have them combined with daylight bulbs in a quad or even double, the amount that is actually projected into the cage is much less. For larger cages using the quad fixtures a 12% bulb is perfect.

 

[addicks]

I've got the same lighting fixture as well. My guy was always so dark, trying to suck up the light. I put the tropical blaze over him and almost instantly he brightened right up.

The lights also are doing a great job keeping the plants healthy. My wandering jew and umbrella plant are growing nicely.

You can't go wrong purchasing from http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/!!

 

[Wowbango]

This can be the case if it was a single bulb fixture but when you have them combined with daylight bulbs in a quad or even double, the amount that is actually projected into the cage is much less. For larger cages using the quad fixtures a 12% bulb is perfect.

This makes perfect sense. Thanks so much for clarifying Nick! Helpful as always.

 

[LoosePin15]

Just curious, why did you choose to go with a 12% bulb? I was under the impression that's comparable to the 10.0 UVB, which is too high for most chams? The lighting is very nice though, This will be my next purchase once I move Nigel into his big boy cage.

I was under the same impression, but when I emailed Todd (the owner of LYR), he gave me this answer:

"I would go with the 12% bulb in a quad because in this array, it will not be too strong. Here's why: the other bulbs on each side of the Arcadia 12% are creating a non-UV reflecting surface, so the reflected UV is less in this fixture configuration, and that, coupled with a set up that has lots of plants providing shade, means that you need the 12% bulb to deliver the right amount of UV "kick" to get to the animal."

He's had a lot more experience than I have, so figure he knows a lot more than I do on the subject!

But, the same might not be true for a different setup. I would definitely suggest emailing him before buying to get his opinion.

I wouldn´t have any night light for chamelons, it disturbeds them

I totally understand, so I only leave it on for about an hour after all the other lights are out.

 

[Wowbango]

I was under the same impression, but when I emailed Todd (the owner of LYR), he gave me this answer:

"I would go with the 12% bulb in a quad because in this array, it will not be too strong. Here's why: the other bulbs on each side of the Arcadia 12% are creating a non-UV reflecting surface, so the reflected UV is less in this fixture configuration, and that, coupled with a set up that has lots of plants providing shade, means that you need the 12% bulb to deliver the right amount of UV "kick" to get to the animal."

He's had a lot more experience than I have, so figure he knows a lot more than I do on the subject!

But, the same might not be true for a different setup. I would definitely suggest emailing him before buying to get his opinion.



I totally understand, so I only leave it on for about an hour after all the other lights are out.

Thanks for further clarification!

 

[Venutus1]

Hi Matt
Thank you and I am glad you like!

Yes, for SOME applications - it is best to stay with a 6% for chams.

and folks are right thinking for some applications, a 12% would be allot.

BUT, we at LYR test out the lights with Solarmeters on different set ups and at our testing bench.
(That you will all see in some upcoming videos!)

Anyway,

The UVB gets more "muted" in this fixture because the other tubes in close proximity on either side of the 12% tube prevent about 30-ish percent of the UV from getting reflected downward...

and then couple that with going thru the screen on the top of the cage (you loose another 25- 30%...

and then add in the fact there are allot of plants for shade...

and in this particular arrangement - the Arcadia 12% is fine to use.

Also - a cage being 24" wide (vs. 18" or less) gives allot of lateral "leeway" to move from side to side out from directly under the light fixture.

Thank you --

I love to see folks successful with their animals.

Sincerely
Todd

 

[Venutus1]

I wouldn´t have any night light for chamelons, it disturbeds them

Yes,
but it actually is a good feature if they put it on a timer to have on about an hour after "lights out"..
It creates an hour or so of "dusk" so the animals can find their way into the plants to their "sleeping places".

So,,, to re-cap

The night light is a bit much on all nite, but a great idea on for an hour or so after lights out to create dusk!

ALSO-
You can adjust brightens of moonlight LED 2 ways-

either use a small piece of electrical tape to block it partially to dim down..
if you want....
OR

Simply color over with a black sharpie marker to dim down if you want,
(it will clean off with alcohol if you want to change it.)

Color over it with a red sharpie or use red electrical tape to make the moonlight give of a purple glow!!

Cheers!
Todd

 

[DeremensisBlue]

Creating dusk with Quad T5s from Light Your Reptiles

The Arcadia quad fixtures from Light Your Reptiles are the ones I recommend whenever someone is going to invest in making their enclosure the best they can. Lighting is one of the main things that will make your chameleon look good and be healthy. I have tried some other T5 fixtures and I end up back to recommending the Arcadias because of the manufacturing quality. That is very important to me.

There are three electric plugs
Plug 1: two T5 bulbs
Plug 2: two T5 bulbs
Plug 3: Blue LEDs

This allows you to set up three appliance timers so when it is time to bring night on you
1) Turn blue LEDS on (don't leave them on all day. Just turn them on for dusk)
2) Turn T5 plug 1 off
3) 15 minutes later - Turn T5 plug 2 off
4) 30 minutes later - Turn blue LEDs off (Chameleons need darkness to sleep)

The most disruptive thing in a chameleon's standard schedule is that night falls like a piano. They need signals that night is falling so they can get themselves to a good sleeping space. By simulating the dusk your chameleon will be able to find a nice comfortable place to sleep before the blue LED goes out.

Bill

 

[Venutus1]

The Arcadia quad fixtures from Light Your Reptiles are the ones I recommend whenever someone is going to invest in making their enclosure the best they can. Lighting is one of the main things that will make your chameleon look good and be healthy. I have tried some other T5 fixtures and I end up back to recommending the Arcadias because of the manufacturing quality. That is very important to me.

There are three electric plugs
Plug 1: two T5 bulbs
Plug 2: two T5 bulbs
Plug 3: Blue LEDs

This allows you to set up three appliance timers so when it is time to bring night on you
1) Turn blue LEDS on (don't leave them on all day. Just turn them on for dusk)
2) Turn T5 plug 1 off
3) 15 minutes later - Turn T5 plug 2 off
4) 30 minutes later - Turn blue LEDs off (Chameleons need darkness to sleep)

The most disruptive thing in a chameleon's standard schedule is that night falls like a piano. They need signals that night is falling so they can get themselves to a good sleeping space. By simulating the dusk your chameleon will be able to find a nice comfortable place to sleep before the blue LED goes out.

Bill

Thanks Bill!

And just to add 2 cents...

I actually just use the inexpensive analog appliance / light timers available at local Ace hardware, home depot or wal mart that cost 7.00 - 8.00.

I find those work just as good as any fancy electronic timer that costs two or 3 times as much.

Cheers!
Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com

 

[Venutus1]

"...... By simulating the dusk your chameleon will be able to find a nice comfortable place to sleep before the blue LED goes out."

Bill

ADDENDUM:

If anyone wants to follow Bill Strand and my recommendation and add a low cost "dusk" LED night light (without buying a whole new light with it built in)...

you can get one of these nifty small waterproof Arcadia LED moon lights for 22.00. (they come in Red and Blue.)

Then have it on an inexpensive timer to just be on an hour or two after the main lights go out.

Vo-ala' !
Instant sunset.
It is real easy to add the "dusk" feature now to any cage.

Cheers!
Todd

This is available at LYR...

Moon Light Blue

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ar...fect-for-vivariums-and-natural-reptile-cages/

Tropic Sunset Deep Red

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ar...ht-red-perfect-for-tree-frogs-and-tarantulas/


And then to complete this feature--
all you need is an inexpensive light timer (all you need is the 2 prong "light duty" one for these, the LED nite lites are only about 2 watts.)
The timers only cost around 4.00 -5.00 at wal mart or home depot.

It is a great feature we recommend that allows the animals to find their way into the foliage for bed time.