All In One Heat + UVB Bulb?
- Thread starter Rizon
- Start date
summoner12
Avid Member
Generally with chameleons it is best to use a UVB source and a separate heat source so that the heat and UVB can be adjusted separately.
I would avoid MV lamps with chameleons unless you have a UVB meter.
I totally agree with this! You want your cham to be able to move in and out of the heat source while still having access to UVB. My boy will bask in his heat spot, but will also bask under his UVB at times. Having the ability to self regulate is important.
Most (not all) recommend linear uv bulbs and regular or hallogne basking bulbs. Some recommend 5.0 linear uv and others use 10.o uv. A lot of the uv is lost through screen so I use the 10.0 and it seems to be working well,hope this helps. I agree it is not a good idea to use 1 bulb for both. Again there are lots of different views and you will have to make up your own mind. 
It is a good idea to have a basking spot for most chameleons. It allows for proper digestion as well as getting started in the mornings after an overnight temp drop
. Even with warm temps inside the house, some need to have basking sites above 90 degrees (depends on the type, and sometimes sex of your cham) in order to make them comfortable. Of course the basking lamps will also aid in the temperature variance that is essential in enclosures (lower towards the bottom). The great thing about a separate fixture is you can simply move the fixture a bit closer or farther to achieve the desired temperature without changing the intensity of the UVB.Make sure to consider the age of your chameleon before deciding on a basking temperature.
For a Jackson, I'd do about 80 to 83 degrees for a basking site. Just a regular incandescent bulb in a dome fixture is all you need. I'd try a 40 watt and see what temp you get. If needed you can up it to a 60.
Sheldon
New Member
Here is where a dumb question comes in. His set up is already running.between 80-85 with just the uvb. I am going to make a thread later about my enclosure but its not an open, its a terrerium set up..I know that's not great, but lord, I have to pull some money together to get an open type enclosure. Should have done more research before purchasing instead of going on the word of the store owner.
So...with those temps, how do I handle basking and.uvb
So...with those temps, how do I handle basking and.uvb
Chachachameleon
New Member
Go to Pet smart they have a 100 wat heat lamp and 5.0 UVB bulb (Both zoo med products) its only like 27$ plus tax its a bomb ass deal
Careful with basking bulbs in a vivarium. The lack of airflow will cause the temps to get too high. Jackson's like slightly lower temps due to their native environments. I'd consider getting a screened enclosure soon (or a vivarium with plenty of ventilation) so you have a better chance of success. As for UVB, as long as your guy can get out of the light behind some leaves he should be fine. UVB doesn't add too much measurable heat.
Sheldon
New Member
Yea. I found the.right size open enclosure for 75 bucks on Amazon...heck of a deal. It has the wire top but I know that's not enough. I bought a tiny fan to use to pull the hot air out and move the air for him. My husband said hes got his eyes open...mouth shut...just basking under the uvb light. I am at work worried lol
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