when to put them to bed....

[little leaf]

its winter here and the sun comes up late, and goes down early - and so are my chams ! it does not matter if the lights are on, they are going to bed at 5 pm - should I still keep my lights on ? they seem bothered by the lights , and are going much deeper into the plants to seek the darkness - so they are not getting the heat/uvb of the lights - are they getting enough uvb ?? should I just let them go to bed, and put the lights off - or should I dig them out, and make them stay up - lol - they are all by windows, so they seem to be following the natural cycle of the sun, and not mine - all are eating, drinking, active - as a matter of fact, my little clan has never looked better I just worry about the amount of light they are getting - any advice/thoughts guys ??? I don't know if this makes a difference, but they all live outside 24/7 in summer-
thanks

 

[absolutbill]

I'm a big advocate of keeping them them on as natural a schedule as possible, but that's easier for me to say in Florida where we have longer days even in the winter. What about pulling the shades on the windows that they are near to "force" them to wake and sleep using the lights in their cages? If that's not an option, if you had lights on at 7AM, and off at 5PM, that's still 10 hours of UVB per day, which I would think is enough - anyone with more knowledge please correct me if necessary.

 

[Olimpia]

I think that's fine, especially if your UVB bulb is new and/or a stronger brand like a 10.0 (or better). The 12/12 on/off schedule is a nice dream, but it's not set in stone, it's just a guide. If during the summer they're awake 3-4 extra hours, that's ok too.

 

[little leaf]

I think that's fine, especially if your UVB bulb is new and/or a stronger brand like a 10.0 (or better). The 12/12 on/off schedule is a nice dream, but it's not set in stone, it's just a guide. If during the summer they're awake 3-4 extra hours, that's ok too.

ok, THANKS - yes, all my bulbs are now new,10.0's - with reading from 28 to 56 depending on the cage - I wont use the 5.0's anymore-thankfully, it came up in discussion with Laurie, she let me borrow her solar reader- OMG - I was getting readings of 3's to 13 - and the bulbs were not old, some new- I did not realize just how much gets blocked from the screen, and plants - they were getting almost NOTHING , I am so glad I have them outside all summer - otherwise, can you imagine the mbd mess I would have had by now
this is just ANOTHER reason I LOVE this forum, had it not been for a post someone else had put up, I would have thought my guys were getting enough, and not changed a thing - THANK YOU for all the help everyone

 

[little leaf]

I'm a big advocate of keeping them them on as natural a schedule as possible, but that's easier for me to say in Florida where we have longer days even in the winter. What about pulling the shades on the windows that they are near to "force" them to wake and sleep using the lights in their cages? If that's not an option, if you had lights on at 7AM, and off at 5PM, that's still 10 hours of UVB per day, which I would think is enough - anyone with more knowledge please correct me if necessary.

FLORIDA !!! SHUT UP !!!!!
we are getting a winter storm tonight/Sat
just kidding, thanks for you help but I am still jealous lol - I just had to add this pic

 

[Deevo]

I struggled at first with the time changes with winter. But I got a timer for my lights at home depot for like 12.00 and have it set to mimic the daylight outside. It goes on around 7am and off at 7pm.

My cham was falling asleep with the real time outside anyway regardless if his lights were on or if my room light is on.

 

[pssh]

I always change my lights shorter or longer depending on the season. In the winter I try to have at least 10 hours of light, and I've never had any issues. Sunset is around 5 here too, so I keep the lights on until then or just a little longer. I've found that it is easier to wake them up early than make them stay up late.

 

[absolutbill]

FLORIDA !!! SHUT UP !!!!!
we are getting a winter storm tonight/Sat
just kidding, thanks for you help but I am still jealous lol - I just had to add this pic

My my, someone is a bit testy Guess I shouldn't mention I was just baking and had to turn on the a/c because I was sweating, huh?

 

[Psychobunny]

My my, someone is a bit testy Guess I shouldn't mention I was just baking and had to turn on the a/c because I was sweating, huh?

You guyz in Florida make me SICK!!!!! LOL

I used to live in Ft Lauderdale, boy do I miss that nice warm weather!!

 

[little leaf]

My my, someone is a bit testy Guess I shouldn't mention I was just baking and had to turn on the a/c because I was sweating, huh?

I hope you get hot, really, REALLY hot, and you coke gets warm too ! ( I am totally kidding w/ you )
we are getting 8" of snow right now someday, I hope to move to Fla - when my kids are out of the house- not to long really - & my husband already knows , the house MUST be 100% chameleon compatible
I go to Marco Island almost every year to watch the turtles hatch with my daughter, its a GREAT " Mom & Me" trip - she is also into all the nature stuff like me I envy anyone who lives someplace warm - Ohio winters are not for me - lol

 

[absolutbill]

I hope you get hot, really, REALLY hot, and you coke gets warm too ! ( I am totally kidding w/ you )
we are getting 8" of snow right now someday, I hope to move to Fla - when my kids are out of the house- not to long really - & my husband already knows , the house MUST be 100% chameleon compatible
I go to Marco Island almost every year to watch the turtles hatch with my daughter, its a GREAT " Mom & Me" trip - she is also into all the nature stuff like me I envy anyone who lives someplace warm - Ohio winters are not for me - lol

When you go to Marco let me know, I'm here in Naples, just north of there and I'd love to meet you if our schedules permit. I know that we here in Florida are the most hated state right now, but I'm ok with that! I'm from South Jersey originally and went to college in NY, so I've put in my dues with cold weather/snow. We've been here for 12 years now, and I've told my husband that if we ever decide to move, the furthest north I'll consider would be about North Carolina He's from the Poconos, and the crazy guy misses snow!!!

 

[little leaf]

When you go to Marco let me know, I'm here in Naples, just north of there and I'd love to meet you if our schedules permit. I know that we here in Florida are the most hated state right now, but I'm ok with that! I'm from South Jersey originally and went to college in NY, so I've put in my dues with cold weather/snow. We've been here for 12 years now, and I've told my husband that if we ever decide to move, the furthest north I'll consider would be about North Carolina He's from the Poconos, and the crazy guy misses snow!!!

oh that would be great - when we go, we have NO schedules , thats why I kinda like it - we just do what ever , when ever =) this year, I would like to maybe go out a bit- we get there, and the car never moves - but we sure do, on one of the nights, it was such a beautiful full moon,, we walked the beach until morning, we were MILES from the room we go with my sis, & her husband & kids, and my parents - my Dad kinda needs help, so I tend him in the day, and walk the beach at night w/ my daughter - its always a nice time
well, we got 8" of snow, I will be happy to send your hubby some

 

[absolutbill]

My mother offered him the same thing - she's still in NJ, and they have about 6-8" right now which is extremely rare for them. She's coming down this week for the holidays, and will have a temperature shock for sure. It was raining this morning, and had it been 40 degrees colder it would have been snow!

 

[melble68]

No comment on the weather. I grew up in IL so I know what winters are like. Been here just over 20 and NOPE I don't miss the change of the seasons. To make things worse I just got back from Cozumel yesterday.

I'm glad this topic came up. My nosy be is right in front of my bedroom window. He wakes up w/ the sun, and beds down right before dusk. I've already adjusted my lights timer, and I think I may tweek it a bit more.