Plant growing lights bad?

[JJC]

After killing 3 plants I decided to buy a plant growing light at the local hydroponics store. The new plants are thriving under the light but I heard that this light could be harmful for my Cham. I live in Canada so rotating trees indoors/outdoors is not really an option, its way too cold! Does any one have proof or can you send me links to articles that claim plant lights are bad? Also looking for alternative options to keep my plants alive! I just invested in a 4 foot ficus tree that cost $80. I really don't want to kill it! HELP!

This is what my cage looks like, its approx 5 feet tall. The plant light is at the very top against the wall.

A clearer view of my lights. Plant light across the back, heat light, and UVB 5.0 on the left side.

 

[tdotcham]

your cage setup is amazing! just thought i'd chip that in... from canada myself so i hear ya on the plants .

i got a 4 foot umbrella tree from home depot for 8 dollars! love that summer is wrapping up as ill be grabbing some plants on sale. as for the grow light... i have no idea sorry

 

[carol5208]

dont know anything abou the lights, but i love the cage!!!!! cham heaven!!

 

[jannb]

Your free range looks great! I don't use plants lights. I have heard they are not good for your cham but I don't have any proof.

 

[Olimpia]

I have a 4ft daylight 6500k bulb, and I've used little plant bulbs in the past, but I've never heard of them being harmful. In fact, I got them because several moderators on here I respect recommend them, so I assumed there was little risk.

But I've never seen any proof against or in favor of these types of lights, so lets see if anyone else does have something to offer!

 

[Jonasburns]

I would think as long as your not using a metal halide or high pressure sodium bulb you should be ok, these bulbs range from $50-250 In wattage's of 200 - 1000W. I would be very surprised if any reptile owners were using these unless lighting an entire room for a free range or something.

The only thing the average plant bulb from wal-mart or the pet store does is emit a particular frequency (or color) of light meant to simulate spring and autumn light colors. So unless someone can say there is harmful color ranges of light its not likely to harm your animal.

I also agree very nice playpen

 

[JJC]

In search of proof...

Thanks for the complements on my Chams cage (I just put it together on Friday)

This seems like a interesting debate. On another equally reputable forum I am being told it should never be used...and here Im being told its okay. I am in the process of googling this and trying to gather as much information as possible. The light I have (but currently have turned off just in case) is a 6400k T5 Fluorescent full spectrum light. Who out there uses this kind of light? And if so, how long have you been using it? Any problems?

 

[Chris Anderson]

I have a 6500K CFL bulb on every one of my enclosures and have never had a single problem with them. I'm curious as to why people think they are not safe? They increase the natural ambient lighting and the chameleons seem to benefit from them greatly.

Chris

 

[DGray]

T-5's = AOK

I use T5 tubes of two types over my chams. So far so good. I use a color-corrected 5500 K bulb, and a 6500 bulb that came free with the fixtures. These measure only about 15 on my UVb meter, so I also use a Reptisun 5 bulb in a separate fixture.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I also use plant grow lights and have had no problems whatsoever.

edit: my cages have a UVB fluorescent, a plant grow fluorescent, and a tungsten incandesent household bulb for heat.

 

[Psi]

6 months of a T8 plant bulb over 2 chams, not a noticeable problem here.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Same here I use plant grow lights 6500k on my 4x2 ft cages and have for almost 1 yr with no signs of discomfort or eye issues with the chams.

 

[Jonasburns]

I found this on dodolah's blog http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/dr.html


Its a pretty detailed Q&A session with Mrs. Frances Baines, M.A., Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S.
It should answer any questions you have about lights, and if not get you pointed in the right direction so you can find out your own.

More to the point about the lights question.


The question.

Beside the major components UVB and UVA, your researches made me aware of another components that I often neglect, which are spectra and intensity of light. How important are those two in successful keeping of our reptile pets?

The Answer.

A fluorescent lamp or MV lamp can be combined with an incandescent lamp, to get the best of both worlds. The tubes or mercury vapor lamps provide the UVB, UVA and most of the blues; the incandescent lamps add yellows and reds. It's not ideal, but it's an improvement over either lamp on its own. Friends of mine who keep chameleons have reported great success with both of these "combos," with the actual lamps chosen to provide appropriate levels of UV, heat and light for the relevant species, of course.

In fact his whole blog is good reading for an info addict and soon to be new chameleon owner like myself.
Kudos Dodolah

 

[summoner12]

I run 6500K linear tubes and CFLs with no issue.

 

[JJC]

Thank you for that link Jonasburns...it was very informative!

 

[allllllen]

would this be an ideal plant light? or do i have the wrong one?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_196250-371-85154_0_?productId=1229501&Ntt=ge+daylight+&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=ge%20daylight

 

[Mr Gahn]

I found this on dodolah's blog http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/dr.html


Its a pretty detailed Q&A session with Mrs. Frances Baines, M.A., Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S.
It should answer any questions you have about lights, and if not get you pointed in the right direction so you can find out your own.

More to the point about the lights question.


The question.


The Answer.


In fact his whole blog is good reading for an info addict and soon to be new chameleon owner like myself.
Kudos Dodolah

thanks for this link!!
this is essentially the exact info I've been looking for-
as a horticulturalist I understand the artificial light spectrum needed for indoor plant growth, and I had intended to create a large "herpatarium/greenhouse" with supplemented metal halides. I just had no idea what ratio of UVB to add. The link provided by Mrs.Baines is more research than I could've ever hoped for!!

once again, thanks Jonasburns!!

-Estebon