Hello there. I just purchased an apogee reptarium and I'm having some troubles with the Construction. The basking bulb should be on top but the bulb will definitely get too hot for the mesh won't it? And also will the uvb bulb have the rays be lessened through the dark mesh?
Reptarium Questions
- Thread starter ruhlig14
- Start date
fluxlizard
Avid Member
basking bulb- depends. I used up to 75 watt incandescents in 10 1/2" reflectors resting directly on the mesh and they were fine. Only the cool edge of the reflector touched the mesh- not the bulb. If you go too high wattage such a setup will be too hot for the mesh. But shouldn't be necessary for a chameleon anyway.
UVB tube- yes amount will be reduced. But should still be sufficient- especially if you are using a 10 or 12.0.
I used a large number of these cages for many years and the UV was never a problem, although certainly less will penetrate the mesh.
A word of caution- a flourescent light ballast I had malfunctioned and ignighted a bank of these cages on fire with catastrophic results. Be careful- the mesh is flammable.
UVB tube- yes amount will be reduced. But should still be sufficient- especially if you are using a 10 or 12.0.
I used a large number of these cages for many years and the UV was never a problem, although certainly less will penetrate the mesh.
A word of caution- a flourescent light ballast I had malfunctioned and ignighted a bank of these cages on fire with catastrophic results. Be careful- the mesh is flammable.
Thanks. I have a 75 watt bulb in an 8 1/2" fixture. As for my uvb bulb I have an 18" 5.0 bulb in a 24" fixture. I'll definitely make sure I allow my cham to get close enough to the bulb. I also plan on taking him outside when it's nice out so that should help as well. As for now I'm planning on building a sort of platform to put on top so that the fixtures are on wood but still allow the light and heat to get through to the cage.
