So, 4 days I received this unit and went right to work on getting it set up.
I actually spent the night before pre-planning all my settings so I could quickly input them when I got home and hooked up. Needless to say, the hour spent pre-planning my settings was a waste as after putting them all in the controller, it wasn't the natural look and feel I wanted. So I have spent well over 10 hours testing different settings and am on my 4th set.
Here is the current set-up I have right now:
Dawn/Dusk Mode
OnTOD:
Jan - 630am
Feb - 630am
Mar - 630am
Apr - 630am
May - 630am
Jun - 630am
Jul - 630am
Aug - 630am
Sep - 630am
Oct - 630am
Nov - 630am
Dec - 630am
OffTOD:
Jan - 735pm
Feb - 735pm
Mar - 735pm
Apr - 835pm
May - 835pm
Jun - 835pm
Jul - 835pm
Aug - 835pm
Sep - 835pm
Oct - 835pm
Nov - 735pm
Dec - 735pm
Ramp: 35 minutes
PwrMax:
Jan = 100%
Feb = 100%
Mar = 100%
Apr = 100%
May = 100%
Jun = 100%
Jul = 100%
Aug = 100%
Sep = 100%
Oct = 100%
Nov = 100%
Dec = 100%
PwrMin:
Jan - 0%
Feb - 0%
Mar - 0%
Apr - 0%
May - 0%
Jun - 0%
Jul - 0%
Aug - 0%
Sep - 0%
Oct - 0%
Nov - 0%
Dec - 0%
Heater Control (using Dawn Dusk *watch Temp*)
Temp Hi:
Jan - 80
Feb - 80
Mar - 81
Apr - 82
May - 83
Jun - 85
Jul - 84
Aug - 84
Sep - 84
Oct - 82
Nov - 81
Dec - 80
Temp Lo:
Jan - 65
Feb - 65
Mar - 66
Apr - 67
May - 68
Jun - 70
Jul - 69
Aug - 69
Sep - 69
Oct - 67
Nov - 66
Dec - 65
Hi TOD:
Jan - 700am
Feb - 700am
Mar - 700am
Apr - 700am
May - 700am
Jun - 700am
Jul - 700am
Aug - 700am
Sep - 700am
Oct - 700am
Nov - 700am
Dec - 700am
Low TOD:
Jan - 740pm
Feb - 740pm
Mar - 740pm
Apr - 840pm
May - 840pm
Jun - 840pm
Jul - 840pm
Aug - 840pm
Sep - 840pm
Oct - 840pm
Nov - 740pm
Dec - 740pm
Ramp: 5 minutes
Control Probe: Probe #1
Prop Power: Medium
Hysterisis: +/- 1
Timed Mister
Mist Duration:
Jan - 120
Feb - 120
Mar - 120
Apr - 120
May - 120
Jun - 120
Jul - 120
Aug - 120
Sep - 120
Oct - 120
Nov - 120
Dec - 120
OnTOD1:
Jan - 705am
Feb - 705am
Mar - 705am
Apr - 705am
May - 705am
Jun - 705am
Jul - 705am
Aug - 705am
Sep - 705am
Oct - 705am
Nov - 705am
Dec - 705am
OnTOD2:
Jan - 707am
Feb - 707am
Mar - 707am
Apr - 707am
May - 707am
Jun - 707am
Jul - 707am
Aug - 707am
Sep - 707am
Oct - 707am
Nov - 707am
Dec - 707am
OnTOD3:
Jan - 1105am
Feb - 1105am
Mar - 1105am
Apr - 1105am
May - 1105am
Jun - 1105am
Jul - 1105am
Aug - 1105am
Sep - 1105am
Oct - 1105am
Nov - 1105am
Dec - 1105am
OnTOD4:
Jan - 1107am
Feb - 1107am
Mar - 1107am
Apr - 1107am
May - 1107am
Jun - 1107am
Jul - 1107am
Aug - 1107am
Sep - 1107am
Oct - 1107am
Nov - 1107am
Dec - 1107am
OnTOD5:
Jan - 305pm
Feb - 305pm
Mar - 305pm
Apr - 305pm
May - 305pm
Jun - 305pm
Jul - 305pm
Aug - 305pm
Sep - 305pm
Oct - 305pm
Nov - 305pm
Dec - 305pm
OnTOD6:
Jan - 307pm
Feb - 307pm
Mar - 307pm
Apr - 307pm
May - 307pm
Jun - 307pm
Jul - 307pm
Aug - 307pm
Sep - 307pm
Oct - 307pm
Nov - 307pm
Dec - 307pm
Lunar Light
OnTOD:
Jan - 755pm
Feb - 755pm
Mar - 755pm
Apr - 855pm
May - 855pm
Jun - 855pm
Jul - 855pm
Aug - 855pm
Sep - 855pm
Oct - 855pm
Nov - 755pm
Dec - 755pm
OffTOD:
Jan - 650am
Feb - 650am
Mar - 650am
Apr - 650am
May - 650am
Jun - 650am
Jul - 650am
Aug - 650am
Sep - 650am
Oct - 650am
Nov - 650am
Dec - 650am
New Moon: 07/01/11
PwrMax:
Jan - 100%
Feb - 100%
Mar - 100%
Apr - 100%
May - 100%
Jun - 100%
Jul - 100%
Aug - 100%
Sep - 100%
Oct - 100%
Nov - 100%
Dec - 100%
PwrMin:
Jan - 0%
Feb - 0%
Mar - 0%
Apr - 0%
May - 0%
Jun - 0%
Jul - 0%
Aug - 0%
Sep - 0%
Oct - 0%
Nov - 0%
Dec - 0%
With these settings, I'm trying to create a natural sunrise and sunset with the Basking light. I'm still doing some math and keeping an eye on the sunrise and sunset times in real life as I dont want the cage to go into 'nighttime mode' when the sun is still up outside and my house is bright. I could use the Basking Light Mode or the Dawn/Dusk Mode for the basking light to get the dimming and brightening effect the same as the UVB lighting, but then I can not regulate the temperature. So I chose to go with Heater Control and Follow Kevin's (Summoner12) ideal on ramping up and down the UVB light like a sunrise and sunset, and setting the basking light to a 5 minute ramp to turn on/off before the UV light does. This way the light doesn't quickly shut off and turn on, startling my chameleon.
The mister I currently run has a built-in internal timer, therefor the Ecozone cannot control it. By default, the Monsoon powers up in cycle mode instead of 'always on' mode. I've had problems running the Auto-Mist mode with me mister and I believe it is because of the internal timer. The timed Mist works well though; only downfall is on the Monsoon Misters side, I can not mist longer than 120 seconds as that is the max duration for the Monsoon. I wanted longer mists during the day and the only way I have been able to achieve this is two run my misting TOD (Time of Day) back to back for 2 minutes, creating a 4 minute mist with a slight pause in between at 2 minutes.
I've added a Lunar Light, its raised high enough above the cage to not put unnecessary heat into the cage while its on. The Lunar Light does not Ramp on and off, therefore I have it turning on before the UVB and Basking lot turn off, that way the instant on of the light is not noticable. The lunar light does vary its power though, in according to the Lunar cycle. For instance, when the Lunar cycle start over and the new moon is present, the Lunar Light will be at less power, producing less light, as it would look outside. When it is a full moon in the lunar cycle, the lunar light will be at full power producing more light, as it would in real life.
The dimmable UVB fixture I purchased along with the controller is nice. It holds to flourescent bulbs, is nice and sturdy, but has very little reflective capability. If purchased, I'd advise one to pick up some refelective tape or do as I did and hot glue some aluminum foil on it.
As you can see in the picture below, the UV Light and Basking light at positioned in the same area of the enclosure as Kevin said, it would provide a better chance for the chameleon to process its calcium this way. The basking light in the picture is running a little over 90% to maintain a temperature at or very close to 84 degrees and the UV light is at 100%
So far, Waldo has been really enjoying the new settings, I've noticed him perched on his basking vine while the UV lamp ramps up at sunrise waiting for the basking light to warm up. I haven't seen him at sunset, but he must have a comfortable area to sleep as I can never find him at night.
Ecozone has extremely good customer service, every question and problem I have had, I've made easy contact with Tony (The Creator) and had quick responses. He's been able to detail how each setting works when I've had a question or confusion on the system. I've been in contact with him quite a lot over the passed few days and he has had no problems with it, even while he is making his road trips back and forth to shows.
My system shipped with a software version that has since been updated, I'm currently having a problem running the flash loader application on my computer to update the software, but Tony knows what the problem is and is already working on a fix for me. If anybody else buys the unit and needs to update the software, I'd advise doing it before it is set up in your cage or during night periods when no lights are on because during the update mode it will shut off power to all units connected to the controller.
Overall, I am very pleased with the unit, its kept me busy, entertained, and interested. Waldo seems happy with it as well and its not even completely set up yet. Soon I will have an AquaZamp mister hooked up to the system and get rid of the Monsoon, then I can run the Auto-Mist mode which measures RH (Relative Humidty) and intervals you decide and mists the cage at a duration of your liking to raise the humidity. When the humidity check interval is reached, if the humidity is lower then your input it will mist and if it is higher or on point, it will not. What a great tool, especially for somebody like myself with a big open cage and difficulty maintaining humidity.
I actually spent the night before pre-planning all my settings so I could quickly input them when I got home and hooked up. Needless to say, the hour spent pre-planning my settings was a waste as after putting them all in the controller, it wasn't the natural look and feel I wanted. So I have spent well over 10 hours testing different settings and am on my 4th set.
Here is the current set-up I have right now:
Dawn/Dusk Mode
OnTOD:
Jan - 630am
Feb - 630am
Mar - 630am
Apr - 630am
May - 630am
Jun - 630am
Jul - 630am
Aug - 630am
Sep - 630am
Oct - 630am
Nov - 630am
Dec - 630am
OffTOD:
Jan - 735pm
Feb - 735pm
Mar - 735pm
Apr - 835pm
May - 835pm
Jun - 835pm
Jul - 835pm
Aug - 835pm
Sep - 835pm
Oct - 835pm
Nov - 735pm
Dec - 735pm
Ramp: 35 minutes
PwrMax:
Jan = 100%
Feb = 100%
Mar = 100%
Apr = 100%
May = 100%
Jun = 100%
Jul = 100%
Aug = 100%
Sep = 100%
Oct = 100%
Nov = 100%
Dec = 100%
PwrMin:
Jan - 0%
Feb - 0%
Mar - 0%
Apr - 0%
May - 0%
Jun - 0%
Jul - 0%
Aug - 0%
Sep - 0%
Oct - 0%
Nov - 0%
Dec - 0%
Heater Control (using Dawn Dusk *watch Temp*)
Temp Hi:
Jan - 80
Feb - 80
Mar - 81
Apr - 82
May - 83
Jun - 85
Jul - 84
Aug - 84
Sep - 84
Oct - 82
Nov - 81
Dec - 80
Temp Lo:
Jan - 65
Feb - 65
Mar - 66
Apr - 67
May - 68
Jun - 70
Jul - 69
Aug - 69
Sep - 69
Oct - 67
Nov - 66
Dec - 65
Hi TOD:
Jan - 700am
Feb - 700am
Mar - 700am
Apr - 700am
May - 700am
Jun - 700am
Jul - 700am
Aug - 700am
Sep - 700am
Oct - 700am
Nov - 700am
Dec - 700am
Low TOD:
Jan - 740pm
Feb - 740pm
Mar - 740pm
Apr - 840pm
May - 840pm
Jun - 840pm
Jul - 840pm
Aug - 840pm
Sep - 840pm
Oct - 840pm
Nov - 740pm
Dec - 740pm
Ramp: 5 minutes
Control Probe: Probe #1
Prop Power: Medium
Hysterisis: +/- 1
Timed Mister
Mist Duration:
Jan - 120
Feb - 120
Mar - 120
Apr - 120
May - 120
Jun - 120
Jul - 120
Aug - 120
Sep - 120
Oct - 120
Nov - 120
Dec - 120
OnTOD1:
Jan - 705am
Feb - 705am
Mar - 705am
Apr - 705am
May - 705am
Jun - 705am
Jul - 705am
Aug - 705am
Sep - 705am
Oct - 705am
Nov - 705am
Dec - 705am
OnTOD2:
Jan - 707am
Feb - 707am
Mar - 707am
Apr - 707am
May - 707am
Jun - 707am
Jul - 707am
Aug - 707am
Sep - 707am
Oct - 707am
Nov - 707am
Dec - 707am
OnTOD3:
Jan - 1105am
Feb - 1105am
Mar - 1105am
Apr - 1105am
May - 1105am
Jun - 1105am
Jul - 1105am
Aug - 1105am
Sep - 1105am
Oct - 1105am
Nov - 1105am
Dec - 1105am
OnTOD4:
Jan - 1107am
Feb - 1107am
Mar - 1107am
Apr - 1107am
May - 1107am
Jun - 1107am
Jul - 1107am
Aug - 1107am
Sep - 1107am
Oct - 1107am
Nov - 1107am
Dec - 1107am
OnTOD5:
Jan - 305pm
Feb - 305pm
Mar - 305pm
Apr - 305pm
May - 305pm
Jun - 305pm
Jul - 305pm
Aug - 305pm
Sep - 305pm
Oct - 305pm
Nov - 305pm
Dec - 305pm
OnTOD6:
Jan - 307pm
Feb - 307pm
Mar - 307pm
Apr - 307pm
May - 307pm
Jun - 307pm
Jul - 307pm
Aug - 307pm
Sep - 307pm
Oct - 307pm
Nov - 307pm
Dec - 307pm
Lunar Light
OnTOD:
Jan - 755pm
Feb - 755pm
Mar - 755pm
Apr - 855pm
May - 855pm
Jun - 855pm
Jul - 855pm
Aug - 855pm
Sep - 855pm
Oct - 855pm
Nov - 755pm
Dec - 755pm
OffTOD:
Jan - 650am
Feb - 650am
Mar - 650am
Apr - 650am
May - 650am
Jun - 650am
Jul - 650am
Aug - 650am
Sep - 650am
Oct - 650am
Nov - 650am
Dec - 650am
New Moon: 07/01/11
PwrMax:
Jan - 100%
Feb - 100%
Mar - 100%
Apr - 100%
May - 100%
Jun - 100%
Jul - 100%
Aug - 100%
Sep - 100%
Oct - 100%
Nov - 100%
Dec - 100%
PwrMin:
Jan - 0%
Feb - 0%
Mar - 0%
Apr - 0%
May - 0%
Jun - 0%
Jul - 0%
Aug - 0%
Sep - 0%
Oct - 0%
Nov - 0%
Dec - 0%
With these settings, I'm trying to create a natural sunrise and sunset with the Basking light. I'm still doing some math and keeping an eye on the sunrise and sunset times in real life as I dont want the cage to go into 'nighttime mode' when the sun is still up outside and my house is bright. I could use the Basking Light Mode or the Dawn/Dusk Mode for the basking light to get the dimming and brightening effect the same as the UVB lighting, but then I can not regulate the temperature. So I chose to go with Heater Control and Follow Kevin's (Summoner12) ideal on ramping up and down the UVB light like a sunrise and sunset, and setting the basking light to a 5 minute ramp to turn on/off before the UV light does. This way the light doesn't quickly shut off and turn on, startling my chameleon.
The mister I currently run has a built-in internal timer, therefor the Ecozone cannot control it. By default, the Monsoon powers up in cycle mode instead of 'always on' mode. I've had problems running the Auto-Mist mode with me mister and I believe it is because of the internal timer. The timed Mist works well though; only downfall is on the Monsoon Misters side, I can not mist longer than 120 seconds as that is the max duration for the Monsoon. I wanted longer mists during the day and the only way I have been able to achieve this is two run my misting TOD (Time of Day) back to back for 2 minutes, creating a 4 minute mist with a slight pause in between at 2 minutes.
I've added a Lunar Light, its raised high enough above the cage to not put unnecessary heat into the cage while its on. The Lunar Light does not Ramp on and off, therefore I have it turning on before the UVB and Basking lot turn off, that way the instant on of the light is not noticable. The lunar light does vary its power though, in according to the Lunar cycle. For instance, when the Lunar cycle start over and the new moon is present, the Lunar Light will be at less power, producing less light, as it would look outside. When it is a full moon in the lunar cycle, the lunar light will be at full power producing more light, as it would in real life.
The dimmable UVB fixture I purchased along with the controller is nice. It holds to flourescent bulbs, is nice and sturdy, but has very little reflective capability. If purchased, I'd advise one to pick up some refelective tape or do as I did and hot glue some aluminum foil on it.
As you can see in the picture below, the UV Light and Basking light at positioned in the same area of the enclosure as Kevin said, it would provide a better chance for the chameleon to process its calcium this way. The basking light in the picture is running a little over 90% to maintain a temperature at or very close to 84 degrees and the UV light is at 100%
So far, Waldo has been really enjoying the new settings, I've noticed him perched on his basking vine while the UV lamp ramps up at sunrise waiting for the basking light to warm up. I haven't seen him at sunset, but he must have a comfortable area to sleep as I can never find him at night.
Ecozone has extremely good customer service, every question and problem I have had, I've made easy contact with Tony (The Creator) and had quick responses. He's been able to detail how each setting works when I've had a question or confusion on the system. I've been in contact with him quite a lot over the passed few days and he has had no problems with it, even while he is making his road trips back and forth to shows.
My system shipped with a software version that has since been updated, I'm currently having a problem running the flash loader application on my computer to update the software, but Tony knows what the problem is and is already working on a fix for me. If anybody else buys the unit and needs to update the software, I'd advise doing it before it is set up in your cage or during night periods when no lights are on because during the update mode it will shut off power to all units connected to the controller.
Overall, I am very pleased with the unit, its kept me busy, entertained, and interested. Waldo seems happy with it as well and its not even completely set up yet. Soon I will have an AquaZamp mister hooked up to the system and get rid of the Monsoon, then I can run the Auto-Mist mode which measures RH (Relative Humidty) and intervals you decide and mists the cage at a duration of your liking to raise the humidity. When the humidity check interval is reached, if the humidity is lower then your input it will mist and if it is higher or on point, it will not. What a great tool, especially for somebody like myself with a big open cage and difficulty maintaining humidity.
