Difference in these two basking bulbs?

[leet13]

Hi everyone. When I first got my panther chameleon Sept 2012, I had an Exo Terra 75 watt infrared spot basking bulb (red)... it burned out with 3 months of use (daytime use except for maybe 2 nights in his temp enclosure which was in a cooler location of the house).

After that bulb burned out, I had an Exo Terra Neodymium daylight 100 watt bulb laying around so I started using that. I liked how the whole reptarium looked a bit brighter inside.

Looking back on pics I have on my pc, I have been noticing my chameleon seems more dull in color (over the last 2ish months?)... nothing else has changed in his setup besides this basking bulb. He still eats the same, drinks the same, healthy looking waste and same activity levels.

I went to the store and bought another Exo Terra infrared spot but this time it is 100 watt (75watt all sold out). I have it hanging from the ceiling so it can be adjusted higher or lower... I also have an infrared thermometer coming in a week since i have been using analog thermometers and I dont like them). I noticed that shortly after I changed the bulb out, he went under it flattened out and turned black/dark green.

I am hoping that his dull grayish coloring will go away and he will be as bright as he was in the past. I think maybe with the difference in bulbs it effected his digestion and absorption of vitamins? Anyone else change brands and notice a difference?

 

[nightanole]

Neodymium daylight is a regular light bulb with neodymium impregnated in the glass to absorb the blue/reds of the filiment and give the bulbs a full spectrum look. However what really happens is what i call inverted florescent colors. so while CFL's have a large blue push, neodymium has a large green push.

I would get rid of the IR light and replace it with a full spectrumish standard flood light or Halogen. That should make the cham feel more outside and brighten up his colors. The IR lights are meant for non basking lizards that are not light dependent and are kinda meant just to "heat" part of a cage.

PS: colors can be based on food micros, pre/post shed, and seasons (dull in winter hiding, bright during spring territory grabs).

 

[Carlton]

Neodymium daylight is a regular light bulb with neodymium impregnated in the glass to absorb the blue/reds of the filiment and give the bulbs a full spectrum look. However what really happens is what i call inverted florescent colors. so while CFL's have a large blue push, neodymium has a large green push.

I would get rid of the IR light and replace it with a full spectrumish standard flood light or Halogen. That should make the cham feel more outside and brighten up his colors. The IR lights are meant for non basking lizards that are not light dependent and are kinda meant just to "heat" part of a cage.

PS: colors can be based on food micros, pre/post shed, and seasons (dull in winter hiding, bright during spring territory grabs).

Yes! Halogen floodlights work just fine for basking. Don't need anything fancy to produce heat and they are sturdier bulbs too.

 

[leet13]

Next bulb I get will be a halogen! I know what you are speaking of.


I only went back to the infrared bulb due to me thinking it was making him more dull... then again it IS winter time and I also thought that it was a seasonal thing.



Thank you both for your responses!!!!!!!!