Grow light attraction???

[BIGGUN]

Well I have a 75 watt basking light and a 15 watt UVB 5.0 on my male ambilobe, Icefyre's, cage. I never really liked the lighting for viewing. I think it's because I have the lights near the back of the cage so he can feel safer when he's basking. This causes shadowing and back lighting.

I had a double fluorescent fixture so I put two 20 watt Sylvania Gro-Lux / Aquarium bulbs and placed them on top of his cage but right against the front edge........they really bring out his reds ( they're almost glow-in-the-dark).

The problem is now he constantly sits under these bulbs instead of going betwen the UVB and basking bulbs llike he used to. So now to get him to go under the basking and UVB bulbs I have to shut the grow bulbs off.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Kevin

 

[Electric]

He may just prefer the color of light it produces, I assume the basking bulb is just a standard home light bulb so probably puts off a very orange light. The grow lights probably put off a much more natural sun type of light and seeing that you have 2 of them in one fixture, he must favor that really bright spot.

At one point I was using a 23 watt 'cool white' (6500k) spiral bulb just to brighten up the cage a bit and he would hang out in that corner quite a bit. Is there any way you can rearrange the lighting to have his uvb tube and the grow lights closer together or in the same spot?

 

[rcmike]

Or maybe his is taking the "be the plant" hiding method to a whole new level. Now he thinks he is one.

 

[BIGGUN]

He must like the coloration better. I know it makes him look real vibrant. The basking light is a "basking light" from Zoo-med I think. My only concern is that if he stays under the "grow lights" he won't be getting the proper UVB he needs.....not to mention the temp being too cool under the grow lights.

For now I only use the grow lights when I'm in the room and want to watch him or if I'm showing him off.

Kevin

 

[BIGGUN]

Mike,

If he starts to sprout branches and leaves I'm definately pulling the grow lights out!

Kevin