Uv meter

[Stanly]

It maybe that the screen is blocking some of the uv (if I recall correctly the finer the mesh the more uv is blocked). Also is there any branches or leaves between the bulb and "basking site" ?

Another thing would be a reflector (does it have one?) If it doesn't you can use tin foil, try experimenting with the shinny vs. dull side, I believe I read some place they got more uv with the dull side.

Maybe for now move your basking site higher (and the heat bulb so your still with in the appropriate range).

Interesting findings, hopefully you get it sorted soon, keep us posted.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

yes I have, well fog here and it is amazing how high the uv's still are, so again even if its cloudy the uv's are still stronger than indoors!, so if its warm at your house, and prob a little humid? outside I say!.
for me, a really hot day is about 80, so as much as I would love to just leave them outdoors, probably not. I was looking outside today to see how long an extension cord I would need to have a basking on, at least then I could leave them all day

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Stanley thank you, I looked again at my hood, it is not reflective, so I am going to try the foil, dull side, right?

What if I put my basking at an angle?, more like the sun angles then I would be able to put my basking branch closer without the basking getting too hot.

There arent any leaves or such in the way, but I am going to take a reading without the screen in the way, hang on....WOW, who would have thought?, well you did, 6 inches from the bulb, with no screen...60!!

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

so I have the fine dark mesh, how do I go about changing it out?
wonder if I can buy just tops with a larger holed mesh?

 

[jaglon53]

My opinion

If you really want to get technical get a helix best money I ever spent it will dim your lights or make em hotter for your cham. I have a meter as well and it kind of makes you skeptical to all the opinions of tried and true methods to the point were you realize everyone is pretty much going by what has worked for them. I have been into chams for about nine years. Used my friends 6.2 meter about 2 years ago got mine about 4 months ago. I use Mega ray and Zoo med MVB's with much success so do a lot of other Cham Keepers I know and members Chuck G from heroic chameleons uses the zoo med one just to name a forums SUPERSTAR LOL! I think mother nature is unpredictable and I have been outside and have had readings at 325uvb in direct sun and readings of 62uvb in the shade with the solarmeter 6.2. Can you imagine what the readings would be in Madagascar!! I emulate readings of about 110uvb in the basking area in the right corner of my cage. In the front part of my cage I use a zoo med 5.0 there is about a 20-25uvb reading and on the entire back left portion no uvb reading comes up. I also make my cage so it has a canopy effect so that under the canopy no uvb can reach my cham. I have just been using this method for the past 5 months since I got my nosy be cause I wanted to see if there was a noticeable difference in size(growth speed), color and appetite. Now that you have the meter have fun cause you wont be just guessing if your cham is getting enough uvb(but who knows what that is!). Sorry to ramble and go off topic I used summoners method for yrs with great success. Also I would take a pen or better yet a pencil and where you have your UVB light just keep stretching the screen, hole by hole took me about ten minutes and made a big difference. Heres a few pics of what my cham looks like and my setup after 5 months of straight MVB use(my cham is about 6.5 months old).

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

omg, I love all this info!
thank you so much!
what is the difference between uvb and ahh crap, forgot the other initials you used, sorry! the vapor light when in use with the chams?
I have been rehabing a nosy be that had much different husbandry than I , and I want him to stay on this path, with is healthy!
I am all ears, where do I find the helix?
going to look now!
what is the diff between the helix and the ecozone?
sorry for all the questions!
anne
I found the helix, says I have to spec order the dimmer, which one do you use?

 

[Eltortu]

Excellent thread! I replace all my 5.0 lights in September, when I go the show in Anaheim and buy them there...

 

[Eltortu]

...and also I am changing my individual 18" lights hoods for a double 48", one a 5.0 and one regular fluorescent bulb.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

The mind is a terrible thing to waste!, and I for one love to keep learning!. This is so up my alley, once I get the hang of it!.
I have been told though the powersun is too strong, but after my uv reads, would passing thru the mesh take down the strengh as well? and make it comparable to the 5.0 w/o the mesh?

does the reg flor bulb just add light? no uv

 

[summoner12]

I think your lamps are just bad..... Call or email ZooMed. Scan a copy of your receipt and send it to them, they will send you brand new lamps. If you don't have a copy of the receipt you will need to send them the lamps.

They might just be bad lamps.... if you are doing your readings as you did the first time, they lamps are just not good.

lamps do not decay sitting on the shelf. the lamp must be on in order for the UVB to be 'used up'. you can tell if a lamp is used by looking at the ends. about a 1/2" from the metal cap on the end you'll see a dark spot either on all side or on just two sides of the lamp. I always check my lamps when I pull them out of the box to make sure they are not returned lamps and then I check them with my meter. I have had 'bad' lamps before.

 

[jaglon53]

I really dont use the helix much anymore but in the winter I will use it. The helix lets you set your temperature( lets say 95) and if it gets hotter or colder it will dim your lights accordingly so it will keep that temp. If I am following you correct your worried if you leave your cham outside during the day and the temp is around 80 or below he will get to cold and thats why you want this right? The helix DBS-1000 proportional thermostat is cheap @$100 and does its job well. Do yourself a favor though cause the ambient temp outside might be 80 but if your basking in the sun might be 100 so just dont go by what the weather channel says put a thermometer in the cage in direct sunlight outside where you plan on putting your cham and see what it reads, the outcome will suprise you. Also if you have the money and you want an awesome proportional thermostat with infinite other controls such as humidity, night drops, variances and the ability to monitor your chams temps from work and make changes on your computer via internet get the ecozone. I wouldnt get it if your just worried about the temps outside though this is for inside and I just cant bring myself to buying one but if I had a huge collection or was a large breeder it would be cool. Ah hell your making me want one from just talking about it LOL! Im a tech-gadget type of guy though. MVB=Mercury Vapor Bulb- It admits UVA, UVB and heat all in one. Its a flood light style bulb and there were some issues in the past with them thats why a lot of people are skeptical but they seem to have worked out the kinks and if you have a UV meter much easier to get temp and the distance correct. If you currently have a incandecent light bulb(UVA) for heat and reptisun 5.0(UVB) you are good to go. Up to you though if your method is working well stick with it as we all are trying to replicate something(nature) only god can do and we can attempt to hopefully only get semi-close.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

I am so glad you are still here! thank you for answering my questions!. I am getting amazing info tonite

I am thinking ecozone for inside, it would be amazing to have everything dialed in. Ive been looking at it for while, and is next on the list.

I guess what started all this was my temp gun(love it!) then the uv meter)love it more!) but I am realizing all the varients involved. my temps and humidity are solid, the uv"s are now driving me crazy!. and with a rescue in early stage MBD, it is important for the stability. so right now he gets 2 to 3 hours of sunshine a day, til I get the bugs out

 

[Bernie]

I think I need to get one of these UV meters. They are pretty expensive for what they are though. I have spotted some cheaper ones (still digital) - would these be just as good?

I think you can get similar devices for babies (human) to make sure they dont get sunburnt. Would this be adequate?

 

[kinyonga]

One thing to remember...chameleons don't usually spend all day sitting in the direct sunlight.

Look at the UVB readings here in a forest setting for a different lizard. There's an interesting chart here too...
"The UV Index graduated from 0.1 in the shade to 4.8 in the sunlight."...
http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/html/uv-light-in-daintree-rainforest-northern-queensland.htm

They were lucky the Cassowary just walked by!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jB2QFmXUCo&feature=fvwrel