A couple of questions about the big boy cage

[MollyT]

So Kush is nearly ready for his big boy cage. Zack and I are going to be getting the supplies in the next week or two and then start building it. I was wondering, though, if I need two UVB lights and/or two basking lights for a 2x2x4 cage. It seems like I've seen some with one UVB on top and then another going down the sides. It's just something I've been thinking about. I want to make sure he has enough heat and UVB when he goes into his big cage. Is there anything else that should be taken into consideration. Thanks!

 

[nightanole]

You want 10 watts per square foot for the uv lights(24x24 is 4sqft), If you get them with reflectors you wont need to have one ran down the side(the sweet spot will be 12-24 away from the bulb, which means half the cage will get enough uv and he can regulate). if the fixture doesnt come with reflectors you can find clip on reflectors for around $5 each.

I would only have one basking bulb, A $3 flood light from home depot works great in the 45-60 watt range. You could even go 85-120 watt if you need a higher cage temp, and keep the bulb at a 45 degree angle to the cage, and check your basking temps.

 

[Decadancin]

I use one Arcadia 6% UVB but wanted a lot of light. I got a quad T5 fixture. I use 2 6500 bulbs and one plant bulb. I love the combination. The lights down the side in many situations will be for the live plants and would not be a UVB bulb. I do not recommend this for your chams though. They like to be able to find a shady place to escape the heat of their basking source and probably would not be as comfortable with too much light lower in their enclosure. I do not have live plants right now, but there is so much light that I think they would do fine. I also have two basking spots for my boy. I ordered my Arcadia fixture from Todd at Light Your Reptiles and he was very informative. You would probably be O.K. with a dual T5 HO fixture with a UVB 5% bulb or 6% Arcadia... or even a 10% in a heavily planted enclosure, as well as a 6500 bulb.

Hope this helps .

 

[MollyT]

Thank you both! Both responses helped. I actually was also concerned about plants but forgot to mention it in my first post, so that really helped!

Another question. Sorry if this is stupid, but how do I know what watt the uvb bulb is? I have an 18 inch reptisun 5.0 bulb and I can't recall seeing anything about watts on the box or anything. I put aluminum foil behind it so it would reflect better. Would this be okay to put on his big cage?

 

[Decadancin]

Thank you both! Both responses helped. I actually was also concerned about plants but forgot to mention it in my first post, so that really helped!

Another question. Sorry if this is stupid, but how do I know what watt the uvb bulb is? I have an 18 inch reptisun 5.0 bulb and I can't recall seeing anything about watts on the box or anything. I put aluminum foil behind it so it would reflect better. Would this be okay to put on his big cage?

I believe they are 20 watt, but don't have one to verify. As for the foil, it can't hurt. There are some reflectors available to purchase, but I don't know how they would work on your fixture. When figuring your needs for UVB penetration, remember that you should be concerned with the upper portion of the enclosure. This is where your cham should be spending most of his time, so having great UVB at the bottom of a 4 foot cage would be a waste.