not sure lighting is right ??

[genzod]

got the zoo med 5.0 uvb and a household 60 watt, its about 70 at the floor of cage,and the thermometer that is higher is off to the side ,so its not directley under lights,and is reading close to the same temp ? its like 68 in my house so im thinking its got to be right temp under the lights ? should i bump up the bulb to a 75 ???

 

[carol5208]

in order to get your basking temp, I would hold thermometer right under the light on the branch of vine where your chameleon will bask. Take your temp there and see what it reads

 

[Solid Snake]

What type of chameleon, and how big is the cage? Is it screen mesh?

 

[genzod]

female veiled ,its a reptibreeze 16x16x30 high

 

[carol5208]

did you take the temp where she will be basking? I usually set the gauge right on the branch where they will sit and check my temp that way.

 

[Solid Snake]

Everyones situation can be different. I generally use a 75watt for basking. Youll need to do as Carol said, and get an accurate basking spot temp before changing though. You may find that you need to go up, or even down in wattage.
I try to get temps from these points:
As close as the chameleon could actually get to the basking bulb.
At the "basking branch" provided under the basking bulb.
Dead center of cage.
Coolest point in the cage, opposite corner from basking.
Then make a decision on if you need to change the bulb.
Your 5.0 is fine.
You just may need to change basking. You may not need to though.
I give a basking spot from 88-95F for my panther. I believe veiled care is the same.

 

[genzod]

yeah im thinking it needs a 75, only like low 80 very close to bulb

 

[Solid Snake]

I would definitely try a 75 then.
Just be sure to check it after if you switch it.

 

[thePopeJP]

Everyones situation can be different. I generally use a 75watt for basking. Youll need to do as Carol said, and get an accurate basking spot temp before changing though. You may find that you need to go up, or even down in wattage.

You let your bask get into the 90s? Everything I've read says mid to hight 80s is good? I use a 40watt because for some reason anything more than that and my basking spot hits 100! It's kind of frustrating because I've been looking for a 50watt incandescent and just can't find one. 60 is even too much.

 

[Solid Snake]

You let your bask get into the 90s? Everything I've read says mid to hight 80s is good? I use a 40watt because for some reason anything more than that and my basking spot hits 100! It's kind of frustrating because I've been looking for a 50watt incandescent and just can't find one. 60 is even too much.

Interesting.
Yes I let mine get into the high 90's at times. But thats on a fairly large free range, and he is hardly ever in the really hot spot, usually off to the side a bit when basking. Ambient temp is 65-75 in the rest of the room.
Just to clarify, he has access to those temps, but doesnt always use them. They only get close to 100 on a warm day. The areas he "chills" in for most of the day are about 75-85F.
It gets pretty hot in Madagascar. So I provide that heat. Seems to work well so far. My jackson likes it cooler. For her I still use a 75w. But it is a mini spot light halogen reveal thing from phillips. She really seems to prefer these bulbs. Her basking spot is smaller though, and not angled into the cage. Its also farther away from her "basking branch".

 

[thePopeJP]

I went online and checked the weather for nosy be when I was setting up the cage, and this time of year it's a high of 85/87 and gets down to like 73 at night. So I tried to give him something close, even if I let the night temps drop a bit lower.

 

[Solid Snake]

Right on. I think thats fine.
This is my opinion on that however. Just to explain(and maybe get some feedback)

It can be 70F outside, and sitting in the shade, one feels cooler. Sitting in the direct, unblocked by cloud or otherwise sun, with no wind, it will be warmer than 70F on your skin. Panthers really seem to be sun lovers, and have heard them called sun worshiping. So I provide the high end heat during the day, just in case he wants it.
My temps go down to the low 50's on a cool nite.

I dont know if any of that made sense but I tried to explain my reasoning.
I also understand yours though, I just do it my way.