proper wattage for lights.

[repsol153]

hello everyone, i'm looking to buy a baby veiled chameleon next week. i am just about done building a screen cage. i have been reading a lot of info about lights, but i can not find specific info for the wattage of a day time basking light, and a night time light. any info, or personal preferences would be much appreciated. thanks.

 

[tadeusz]

It all depends on what temps you need. I tried several watt bulbs from 65, 75 95, 100w before I got the right temps I needed.

 

[VeiledChams]

It most depends on where you live, the age of the chameleon and how far away the lamp is from the basking spot. You can have a low wattage bulb close to the basking area providing the same temperature as one with higher wattage but placed further away. I use 75 watt bulbs for my adult Veileds. their basking spots can reach high 90s. for a baby, it should be around the 80's. look for Jannb's page. she has some very useful blogs that will explain many of things you may be wondering about.

 

[repsol153]

i will set the lamps approximately 6-8 inches above the top of the cage. so prob 10-12 inches above the basking spot. the cham is going to be 4 months old. and my location is in new hampshire. the outside temps are getting into the 60-70's. also is it ok to have the cage close to a window for the added sunlight and the outside visuals for the chameleon. the cage will be at an angle of the window, so the cham will not be able to see his reflection.

 

[wsidepinoy]

i have a 75 watt halogena from philips and it is a good 12" away from the basking spot and it is a steady 85/86 during the day...takes a while to warm up in the morning though (cold mornings in the house lol)

 

[VeiledChams]

i will set the lamps approximately 6-8 inches above the top of the cage. so prob 10-12 inches above the basking spot. the cham is going to be 4 months old. and my location is in new hampshire. the outside temps are getting into the 60-70's. also is it ok to have the cage close to a window for the added sunlight and the outside visuals for the chameleon. the cage will be at an angle of the window, so the cham will not be able to see his reflection.

Having the cage next to the window will give him extra light. It wont receive sun rays with UVB. the glass filters most of the wavelengths that the chams need

 

[repsol153]

ok. i just wanted to make sure that it would still be safe. i am going to have a uvb light. thanks