Overall lighting question

Spencer7

New Member
Ok so im getting another chameleon, my last one lasted for a year and i think it was due to metabohlic bone disease. Right now im compltely remodeling his old enclosure with the works. I plan to get a 18" ReptiSun 5.0 light with 24" hood, cage is 24"x24"x48". Any i am deciding what the other light should be, Correct me please if im wrong but isn't possible to get a heating, basking, UVB, UVA lamp? Do I need all these features? Does it change for different chameleons?
WHAT IS THE BEST LAMP/SECONDARY LIGHT?! :confused:

PLEASE HELP :)

Also should i get a panther, veiled, or jackson? Personal preference?
 
i say panther..which doesnt narrow it down cuz there are so many panthers to choose from.
i wouldnt recommend getting the combo light..get a basking/heat light..and a reptisun 5.0 tubular light.
 
no all u need is the reptisun 5.0 and a regular house bulb for heat though youll have to experiment to get the right temp for the right species:D
 
Thanks

Ok I understand ill try a variety of bulbs, is that cage right for a panther, too small? Also whats the best cricket setup, vitamins?
 
that cage will be good and vits are same as veiled cal withou d3 4-5 times a week cal with d3 2 a month and mutivits 2 a month and for crickets gey a gbig storage bin cut some holes in the sides and hot glue screen over them for circulation without escapes lol fill with egg crates and add crickets have you found a gut load recipe yet ?
 
Here's some information that might help.......
Exposure to proper UVB, appropriate temperatures, supplements, a supply of well-fed/gutloaded insects, water and an appropriate cage set-up are all important for the well-being of your chameleon.

Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption.

Exposure to UVB from either direct sunlight or a proper UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system to make/keep the bones strong and be used in other systems in the chameleon as well. The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic no matter whether its from the sun or the UVB light. The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light. Some of the compacts, spirals and tube lights have caused health issues, but so far there have been no bad reports against this one.

Since many of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus in them, its important to dust the insects before you feed them to the chameleon at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to help make up for it. (I use Rep-cal phosphorus-free calcium).

If you also dust twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder it will ensure that your chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it. It leaves the chameleon to produce the rest of what it needs through its exposure to the UVB light. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 produced from exposure to UVB shouldn't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of it. (I use Rep-cal phos.-free calcium/D3).

Dusting twice a month as well with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A will ensure that the chameleon gets some vitamins without the danger of overdosing the vitamin A. PrEformed sources of vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD. However, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene and so some people give some prEformed vitamin A once in a while. (I use herptivite.)

Gutloading/feeding the insects well helps to provide what the chameleon needs. I gutload crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with an assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.)

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are important players in bone health and other systems in the chameleon (muscles, etc.) and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them, you need to look at the supplements, what you feed the insects and what you feed the chameleon.

Here are some good sites for you to read...
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebWheelock.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200406080...d.Calcium.html
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/
 
Panthers?

If I get a Panther what is a good beginner type, there are so many. Are Jackson Chameleons better? Personal opinouns, stories, experiences?
 
Back
Top Bottom