Best way to set up Jackson chameleons lights

[abrookec]

I know I need a basking bulb which I have it's a 25 watt

And I need a UVB bulb I have seen some that have 5 and tens what make which one better?

I have also read some where is I have live plant in his cage to put plants lights?

Is it better to use tube light or reg bulb lights?

 

[deadhd5]

You will definitely want to go with a 5.0 UVB light for your Jackson. The best are Reptisun 5.0 linear bulbs. Repti-glo also has a linear bulb that is less expensive, but I cannot endorse it as I don't use it (although I have read it is ok).

I use a flourescent 6500k light for my plants and it does make a big difference.

 

[Lovereps]

A 5.0 light is better for chameleons the 10.0 lights are meant for desert dwelling reptiles.
You mentioned having a 25 watt bulb for basking. You'll need to check the actual temperature he can bask at because it might not be warm enough for him to digest food when the room gets colder in the winter.
Here is a nice blog by a chameleon-keeper, veterinarian, forum member about the importance of proper lighting:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/561-frequently-asked-questions-lighting.html

A 6500K long fluorescent light will help the plants.
Plants need to be washed with dish soap and very thoroughly rinsed before they're safe for your cham to drink off of because so many stores spray their plants with pesticides and fertilizers.

Jackson's can be a bit more challenging for beginners to care for but with careful attention to their specific needs , your cham should be OK.
Jackson's are part of a group of chams known as montane. It simply means that their natural habitat is on a mountain.
Montane cham requirements are a little different from veileds and other non-montane chams--especially temperatures, supplements and water..
Here is a good blog for some info on montanes:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html
Here's a nicely done video about Jackson's on youtube by a fellow forum member:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA&feature=related

Veterinarian and chameleon owner Ferretinmyshoes has written a number of excellent blogs.
Here's an excellent blog about proper nutrition:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/560-frequently-asked-questions-nutrition.html
This one should help answer many of your questions about cages:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...ently-asked-questions-caging-furnishings.html
Here is one about the importance of proper lighting:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/561-frequently-asked-questions-lighting.html

The more you read the better care you'll be able to give your cham.

Typically the info on this forum is more reliable than elsewhere.

You can find more info by searching the forum and of course you're always welcome to ask questions.
People here want to see your cham healthy and you happy

 

[abrookec]

Thank y'all so much! I hope I get get this little guy back in health. Ordering the lights tonight. And was wanting to Order some thermometers and humidity gauge. What brand should I go with?

 

[Lovereps]

He can go outdoors when the outside temps are in the 70s, He must be supervised at all times on a plant that he can't climb out of reach on.
People often lose their chams when they "run inside for just a moment".
Natural sunlight--not sunlight through glass windows--is great for chams.
People often post that the analog gauges (ones that have pointers instead of digital displays) are very inaccurate.
I use wireless sensors for a digital weather station, so I can't recommend any brands.

 

[abrookec]

Yeah I took him out for about an hr today while I read a book. Ahhh ok so the weather station... Is that something you can get at like Home Depot?

 

[Lovereps]

Possibly. I either got mine at Amazon or Costco.
Maybe somone else has a different suggestion for gauges but that's what I use.

 

[Elgato]

Would having so many lights not overheat a Jackson? I mean as far as having a separate light for the plants. Or are y'all substituting the 6500k bulb for the uva bulb?

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I have a UVB tube bulb, 65000K for the plants and a heat bulb. The UVB and plant light don't produce enough heat to replace the basking light. For the basking light, just use a 40 watt in home incandescent

 

[Elgato]

I have a UVB tube bulb, 65000K for the plants and a heat bulb. The UVB and plant light don't produce enough heat to replace the basking light. For the basking light, just use a 40 watt in home incandescent

Oh ok then. I was worried of having so many lights and making it too hot.

 

[Shanar808]

I have a UVB tube bulb, 65000K for the plants and a heat bulb. The UVB and plant light don't produce enough heat to replace the basking light. For the basking light, just use a 40 watt in home incandescent

I know this post is from 2012 but it’s a shot in the dark. I am wondering if I should still use a heat light if the combo of the uv light and plant light gets my basking area up to 82 degrees?

 

[kinyonga]

@JacksJill @Kaizen

 

[JacksJill]

T5 HO 5.0 UVB 6500k grow bulb in a dual fixture. Then for basking a 40 or 50 W bulb that is not on all day but just a few hours or on and off, duration depends on your situation and temperatures.

 

[Shanar808]

Thank you for your response. My temp gradient is 74-80 with basking branch at 82 and night temps 63-70 for Jackson night temp drop (it takes some ice cubes on the cage just to get it to 63) I live in Hawaii and it’s warm year round. Since Jackson’s live in the wild here I first thought she’d be ok outside but since were not in the mountains it was way too hot so she’s in my room with our ac and humidifier on at night. I’ve been reading on what to do to best care for her (she was sold to me as “pregnant” but she is not plump at all).