Solar Meter 6.2

Davonat

Davonat

Avid Member
I broke down and just bought 1 of these. Its not here yet. In fact, just ordered it a few minutes ago. I know my current set up is very good....Had a panther in there for 5 years & he was fine till he just faded within a week & was gone...:( Does anyone know the setting I should shoot for on the meter? The branch my new cham uses is about 7'' from my Zoo Med 5.0 bulb that is filtered thru the screen I built the cage with. This worked fine for Burt. Since I will be building a new ULTRA cham home soon 24X38X50 that will be sitting atop a built in cabinet to hold misting stuff ect ect. it will be over 6' tall at its highest point probably close to 7'. Does this meter tell you what the closest safe distance you could allow your cham (Panther) to get? I did a search in the Cages enclosures forum but did not find the exact info I wanted. How do I find the MAGIC setting? THANX Dave
 
i'd give Dave weldon a pm, he has one i believe, or kevin(summoner12)

this thing actually detects the level of uvb a light is emitting right?

so you will be able to know exactly when to get aq new repti-sun
 
I have got one and the solar meters are a neat tool. It is a really neat tool to show how little UVB reptile tube lights and bulbs put out. For a sun worshiping species such as a panther your going to want to have a higher reading. I have seen some recommended levels to reach for however I could not tell you off the top of my head what they are. I would go for a setting that is relatively somewhat high (with shade provided as well) in between a tube light reading and a sun reading (for a sun loving F. pardalis). If I find the link to recommended levels I can post the link.

Sun readings can be really high compared to bulb produced lights.
 
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OK...... GREAT!.... Thanks guys... This is a great start for me to get the info I need. I gotta get to sleep for now but will read some of the links and send a PM or 2 when I have time this weekend. You guys are the best! Keep the info coming Dave
 
With a 5.0 linear, brand new, with branches 2 or 3 inches from the top of your screen, you might get to 30 to 40 reading on your meter.
You should shoot for at least that.
I truly find that I have to do outdoor sunning to insure proper uv for my chams.
The mesh dramatically reduces the uv output.
Todd(light your reptiles) and I are talking about using solacryl for tops, which would change readings by leaps and bounds
Anne
 
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Yeah... I know the mesh can really deminish light penetration. My new enclosure will have a Zoo Med Slider hood 36" w/ a 24" Tube. It has a removable screen which will be removed. I should tell you guys I am a cabinet maker by trade been doin it all my life. The new cage will have a non mesh solid top w/ opening for the hood only & covered on the inside with formica so no critters will be climbing around on that and it will be moisture proof The rest will be all screen but im thinkin behind the screen will be removable sides similar to the top, except the front which will be all door. This should give ample air but help keep humidity in & bugs can easily climb to the top. My previous cham and my new guy just LUV huntin bugs!! No feeder cup for us! Surprisingly even Super worms can climb around on the screen real good. Other type worms have no problem climbing around on the braches & vines.
I sure hope someone can post me a link to those recommended outputs! THANX ....Dave
 
SonTigerPantherCham said:
With a 5.0 linear, brand new, with branches 2 or 3 inches from the topical of your screen, you might get to 30 to 40 reading on your meter.
You should shoot for at least that.
I truly find that I have to do outdoor sunning to insure proper uv for my chams.
The mesh dramatically reduces the uv output.
Todd(light your reptiles) and I are talking about using solacryl for tops, which would change readings by leaps and bounds
Anne
Click to expand...

What about a 10.0 bulb? Should Panthers be useing that instead of the 5.0?
 
Traditionally the 10 is a little too much to be set directly on the mesh top. Alot of people have it as freerange or hang it above the cage to avoid eye issues.
If you go to uvguide.uk all the lighting info you need will be there. I am not just randomly giving out opinions, I have discussed this extensively with my breeder, Todd and other long time herp keepers. And I have read everything I can get my hands on regarding Cham lighting.
Anne
 
I use a 12% T5 on my panther and veiled right above the mesh. You can use a 10.0 no problem. it wont cause eye problems because you only get about 5.0 through the mesh.I would use a 10.0 or 12% even if there was no mesh! The T5 arcadia 12% bulbs are now available in america to buy aswell and last a year!
 
I got my chameleons ones yesterday and they are great! remember they get 20% brighter in the first 10 days!
 
Awesome!
Todd @ LightYourReptiles (sponsor here) I believe is the only distributor in the U.S.
Very great to deal with
I am getting so into lighting (weird, I know)
Thank you for info with the Arcadia,s
Yay! Again excited

I have been testing his LED's on my cages with great success, going to start a thread on my results and opinions on Cham cages
 
They are the best uv lights available atm! They are a great company and alot of reptile keepers in the uk are now using the T5 systems with great results. may people have been using them with their bearded dragons and the new lighting has bought out great colours! Some have even realised they had a morph bearded dragon but it looked normal under T8 uv liughting!
 
Hey I don't want to de-rail this thread but some of you may be interested in solar tubes for uv I've used them on my past reef tanks with great success and you can get the lenses that don't block the uv when we were testing them out on our reef tanks we only lost 5-8% uv compared to outside measurements! You have to put a hole through your ceiling so it wouldn't be for everybody but you loose the expense of UVB lights and it'll automatically match the seasonal sunrise sunsets you'll just need to match it with a heat lamp! They also grow your plants super good!
 
solarmeter 6.2 readings

I own a solarmeter and the readings you want are between 18-35 when your uvb bulb starts getting below 18 its time to replace it. Your gonna love your meter it brings a sort of peace of mind and gets rid of the guesswork. You will also save money i have had a reptisun 5.0 for 8months now and im still getting a reading in the low 20's. There is a site all about these meters im writing this message on my phone or id tell you the exact name but google UK uv guide and that site has a wealth of knowledge for you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!
 
SonTigerPantherCham said:
I totally agree with the Arcadia's, I am waiting for mine to arrive, can't wait
Click to expand...

Are you too going with the 12% T5 Arcadia? Should I use this above or without screen? And we agree my basking spot readings should ultimately be in the high 30's? (for my panther) & replace when they get below 18? Thanx Dave
 
Yes, the higher the better in my opinion, well... let's not get crazy but if uv gets up to 300 in full real sun than high 30's is what you should shoot for.
And I think the arcadias are definitely something to consider
 
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