Question with lights - too much UVB and the appropriate basking lights

[Jonah S]

At the reptile shop I was at earlier today, the person helping me sold me a coil 5.0 UVB light. I was told by a number of forum members that those are bad and I need to get a fluorescent tube which I plan on doing tomorrow. I figure since the UVB lamp was wrong, it is entirely possible for the basking lamp to be wrong. I got one of these: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...lbs-ceramic-bulbs/-/zoo-med-60-watt-day-bulb/

Its the 60 watt blue day bulb. It also says that is provides UVB rays. I don't want to overdue it on the UVB and I also want to make sure I am using the right basking bulb. My baby veiled hangs by the top leaves where he is getting a good amount of exposure so I imagine it's working for him, I want to make sure he is getting the best he can though.

 

[kinyonga]

If this is the bulb it doesn't say it has UVB at all.

 

[Jonah S]

Depends on where you read it from:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752659

 

[kinyonga]

Where does it say UVB??

 

[Syn]

I wouldn't suggest using that bulb either way, you're spending extra on something you can get at any other store 75% cheaper.

It doesn't emit UVB, and if it does it's in very minuscule amounts.

 

[summoner12]

You need a linear UVB lamp from Zoo Med. There are a couple of kinds. You want one that says 5.0 on the side.

The blue lamp you showed a photo of is NOT a UVB lamp. The lamp you show has UVA and heat, which you need for your cham. But blue lamps are not the way to go about providing heat and UVA.

Your best solution is to use a normal household light bulb with a clear glass.

Also remember, that when you install the UVB linear lamp, it doesn't have glass or plastic between the lamp and the cham. UVB does not travel through glass or plastic. Be sure your animal can perch within 6" of the UVB lamp. Also place the heat lamp near the UVB perching area so that the chameleon can get heat and UVB at the same time. The basking spot where the two lights are should be about 85-95*F depending on species.

 

[Julirs]

As mentioned, reptile store does not equal chameleon experience. Those people have never given good advice as far as I know. They used to keep their breeders in 20 gallon glass tanks with only a stick. This is a forum of experienced keepers. On every cage I have a linear zoomed reptisun 5.0 and a household lightbulb from 40-75 watts depending on species.

 

[kinyonga]

Light described as "full spectrum" usually refers to light that covers the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared through near-ultraviolet (400 nm–300 nm)...and does not include all the ultraviolet that a chameleon needs. Chameleons use light in the region of 290 to 315 nm too.

 

[pantherlover]

good info here.

 

[Jonah S]

I returned the coil and got the Reptisun tube. All should be well now

 

[draetish]

I returned the coil and got the Reptisun tube. All should be well now

Excellent!

 

[Carlton]

I returned the coil and got the Reptisun tube. All should be well now

Great! Some of the newer coil bulbs are OK, but the linear tube ReptiSun is still the best choice. A little cham doesn't need the powerful "basking" bulbs most pet shops sell. A regular clear house lightbulb is cheap and works just fine. All it needs to do is provide a warm area for basking during part of the day. If you place the ReptiSun next to the basking bulb the cham will get the benefit of both at the same time. Remember to change the ReptiSun every 6 months. Even though the light still works, the UV radiation it produces drops off quickly at that point.