Heating bulb wattage for baby veiled chameleon

[Trex {Omega}]

I'm getting a baby veiled chameleon and the basking spot in the cage is 6 inches away from where the heating bulb sits on top, the general temp in this room is 55 F, so what wattage heating bulb do you guys suggest using? a 60 watt or maybe 70?

 

[Andee]

You need something that is able to test multiple places at once. My favorite way to test temps is a infared temp gun. We can offer advice, but it doesn't matter because something could still be easily too hot or too cold.

 

[Trex {Omega}]

im limited on money and the rest is going towards the chameleon and the supplements and a new heating bulb so its hard to spend money on something thats only gonna get 1 or 2 uses

 

[Andee]

I have used my infared tons of times. It's useful when you have temperature fluxuations. When your chameleon gets older. If sickness happens. I wouldn't get a chameleons until you can afford absolutely everything and can put some money into a vet fund from the very beginning.

 

[Trex {Omega}]

how much difference in fahrenheit does 5 and 10 watts make?

 

[kinyonga]

Nobody can give you an absolute answer...you need to measure the temperature somehow yourself.
For a basking bulb you can use a regular incandescent household bulb in a hood of a wattage that makes the temperature in the baking area right. For a baya veiled that would be in the low 80's F.

BTW...I agree with Andee you need to be prepared to spend money if your chameleon gets sick.

Do you have proper supplements for the chameleon? A UVB light?

 

[Trex {Omega}]

how much difference in fahrenheit does 5 and 10 watts make? and as the thread says im gonna be buying the supplements soon and yes everything else is taken care of

 

[Nursemaia]

If you can't afford a temp gun then you're not going to be able to afford the basic necessities the cham is going to need as it grows and what happens if it gets sick and needs to go to the vet? They're awesome animals but proper care doesn't come cheap. I suggest saving money and waiting until you can properly provide for it or go with a easier to maintain reptile like a leopard gecko.

 

[broderp]

Where are you keeping this Cham that the room temp is 55 F ??

The simplest answer is to buy a few bulbs and a thermometer ( digital) and try one bulb at a specific height. You can then either move the lamp up or down or swap bills to adjust for proper heat.

Please eat up on the forum about all the requirements and costs on keeping such a pet. Not trying to be mean, but you sound very green like you haven't thought thus thru or are not ready to properly care for a Cham.

 

[EveryGreen]

if you do end up getting a high wattage remember to test out if the basking spot is too hot or too cold and raise or lower it from there

 

[broderp]

if you do end up getting a high wattage remember to test out if the basking spot is too hot or too cold and raise or lower it from there

That's what I said, just clearer...

 

[EveryGreen]

That's what I said, just clearer...

ah well maybe i need to learn how to read

 

[Kdubsgrl]

All of your answers are mean. He just asked for help if you are the experts help the guy

 

[Beman]

All of your answers are mean. He just asked for help if you are the experts help the guy

This thread is from 2017 Welcome to the forum.