Uv Lighting Question

chelshart25

chelshart25

New Member
I am getting a ambanja panther chameleon in a couple days and was wondering about the lighting. I have bred bearded dragons before so I have some repti-glo 7.0 and 8.0 UVB lights and was wondering if that is ok for chameleons also. i have heard not to go above 5.0 for the UVB bulb but wasnt sure...any suggestions?
 
i would stick with the 5.0 bulb. try the zoo med they are the best on the market next is exto terra 5.0 bulb incase you get it at petsmart or petco.
 
light vs light

Although I am thinking of getting a chameleon, I have a bearded dragon right now. The bulbs I use are the Zilla Desert 50s. I think they are pretty good. However, for chameleons I know Zilla has tropical series 25 bulbs. I plan on getting those when I get my chameleon. What did you end up getting?
 
chelshart25 said:
I am getting a ambanja panther chameleon in a couple days and was wondering about the lighting. I have bred bearded dragons before so I have some repti-glo 7.0 and 8.0 UVB lights and was wondering if that is ok for chameleons also. i have heard not to go above 5.0 for the UVB bulb but wasnt sure...any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Hi chelshart25
Welcome to the forum.

I have used the ReptiGlo 8.0 UVB tubes without issue. You are FINE to use these (so long as they are not more than 6 months old).

What type of cage will you be using? If dense screen, which blocks a fair bit of UVB, will be between bulb and chameleon and you have decent plant coverage in the cage, you could certainly also use ReptiGlo 10.0

Most people on this forum rightly recommend ReptiSUN 5.0 linear tube. This is tested to be the best. But the ReptiGlo 5.0, 8.0 or 10.0 are also options. I've certainly used ReptiGlo with great success.

Avoid CFLs!

More info on lighting: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/68-lighting-links.html
 
Haha, well I heard and red a deal about that. I didn't use them before when the whole deal happened. But I just started using them since last year. And so far no problems :) If anything you'll hear from me, but I think if anything were to happen it would have happened by now :p

Anywho im excited to get my new herp!
 
camy said:
Haha, well I heard and red a deal about that. I didn't use them before when the whole deal happened. But I just started using them since last year. And so far no problems :) If anything you'll hear from me, but I think if anything were to happen it would have happened by now :p

Anywho im excited to get my new herp!
Click to expand...

Honestly I hope you check it out and read some more. Dave and Frances have done EXTENSIVE research on the product, and hopefully you take that into account before subjecting your herps to it.

Red it up.
 
camy said:
Haha, well I heard and red a deal about that. I didn't use them before when the whole deal happened. But I just started using them since last year. And so far no problems :) If anything you'll hear from me, but I think if anything were to happen it would have happened by now :p
Anywho im excited to get my new herp!
Click to expand...

I used CFLs for about six months, not being aware a the time of the potential harm. Went back to tubes to be on the safe side. But if I understand correctly, you are choosing to use CFLs despite the possible risk? What brand are you using? Im quite willing to accept some CFLs may not bea a problem. I just dont want to risk experimenting on my own animals. I'll be interested to see if you (or rather your chameleon) encounter problems in future or not. Pls keep us posted on how it goes
 
Rocky said:
what is the difference between the reptisun and reptiglo?
Click to expand...

The reason people like the ZooMed ReptiSUN is because they last longer and have good levels of UV.

I don't have a ton of time right now to go into it... but some smart people came up with an index to measure D3 productions and the 5.0 had the highest yield.... meaning its good and better than the others. I think there is a survey out there showing the zoomed lamp being almost twice as strong as the exo terra brand after 6 months of use.... they must be doing something right.
 
In an effort to be as concise as possible, let me say that without question the Zoomed 5.0 linear fluorescent tube is THE UVB light for old world chameleons.
I'm not really sure why people try to make other things work when this is tested and proven to be a successful product for these animals.
LLL sells the tubes for $13.99 each regardless of size and they ship worldwide.
Too many problems have been documented with people using other types/brands.
Stick with what we currently know to be the best/safest product and avoid at least one problem in creating the best possible situation for your animal.

note: Keepers who use Reptariums or Flexariums have had success using the Repti-sun 10.0 linear tube. The reason for using this light is the denser mesh that the enclosure is made out of.

note: Pygmy Leaf and/or stump tailed chameleons require different lighting due to their natural forest floor environment.

note: Experienced keepers have employed MV bulbs with success. This practice requires some additional research and testing before animals are introduced to the environment. It is my personal belief that basking areas and UVB exposure areas should be separate.

-Brad
 
Oh you will HEAR from me if anything were to happen. But I doubt it, i've been using them for a few months to where I feel safe continuing to use them :)

I don't want to spend a lot on mercury vapors for my beardie...but anywho.
If anyone else uses the Zillas let us know what happens, too!

Ps- When I get a chamelon, and if I use the Zilla bulbs, I would get the tropical series...obviously not the desert series ;)

Anyone getting any new herps? Whoops, wrong thread. :eek:
 
camy said:
Oh you will HEAR from me if anything were to happen. But I doubt it, i've been using them for a few months to where I feel safe continuing to use them :)

I don't want to spend a lot on mercury vapors for my beardie...but anywho.
If anyone else uses the Zillas let us know what happens, too!

Ps- When I get a chamelon, and if I use the Zilla bulbs, I would get the tropical series...obviously not the desert series ;)

Anyone getting any new herps? Whoops, wrong thread. :eek:
Click to expand...

I think people with zillas already did let us know what happens, there are pictures of herps that are badly burnt or blinded. You can read it in the links, but you already did the research you said, so experiment away. Good luck.
 
camy said:
Ps- When I get a chamelon, and if I use the Zilla bulbs, I would get the tropical series...obviously not the desert series ;)
Click to expand...

This pic is from a Zilla Tropical Series with the plastic gaurd infront of the bulb......

IMG_0277.jpg

Why subject any herp to this when there are clearly many examples of what happens?

As Brad's post indicated....why try to re-create the wheel....use what is known to be safe and work.
 
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