Help with lights?

[moogle73]

Hi eveyone,

Well just to put a little starter out there, I new here, and although I have owned and cared for bearded dragons and other reptiles in the past we recently got our first chameleon (about 5 months old panther), we have him in a basic enclosure now with a compact 5.0 uvb bulb (that I will be replacing with a tube florescent)and I have and some climbing material etc.

But I am placing my order for his next enclosure during his adolescence (plan on getting the 65 reptarium thats 16.5 x 28 x 30) until he grows a little bigger and then getting his full size adult cage.

But with that being said, what ubv light should I get for that cage size (it will be in the vertical position so it will be 28-30 inches tall) And whats the difference between the T5 High Output bulbs and just the standard reptisun bulbs?

looking at
24inch reptisun 5.0
24 inch reptisun 10.0
24 inch reptisun 5.0 HO
24 inch reptisun 10.0 HO

any and all input is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance

*ps I tried the search feature for a while now, but have yet to find the exact info im looking for, so don't be a hater if I missed a thread some where

 

[carol5208]

Hello and welcome to the forums! So if it is 28 across then I would go with the 24 inch reptisun. I use the 5.0's and most of us do, but many use the 10.0's as well. As far as the difference, I cannot answer that one! You can also run the light diagonally across the top through the middle and choose a corner for your basking light.

 

[carol5208]

Hello and welcome to the forums! So if it is 28 across then I would go with the 24 inch reptisun. I use the 5.0's and most of us do, but many use the 10.0's as well. As far as the difference, I cannot answer that one! You can also run the light diagonally across the top through the middle and choose a corner for your basking light.

 

[moogle73]

ok thanks!,

I was thinking the 5.0 as the 65 gallon isn't "excessively tall" at being 28-30 inches... if it were 48 inches tall, I would prob go the 10.0 but I think 5 will be a good amount on that cage.

But I also don't really know what the difference between the High Output ones, and the standard ones are... if they are both 5.0 wouldn't they both be putting out similar UV? or does the High Output project over a further distance or something?

 

[bradley]

The HO bulbs put out more uv and more visable light. A 5.0 HO should put out more uv than a 10.0 normal tube. With T8 non HO tubes I always use 10.0 on any size cage. I would use a 5.0 HO on your cage and then go 10.0 HO on the adult cage. I use 12% Ho T5 bulbs on my adult cages and aslong as you provide areas the chameleon can get away from the uv it is fine. Mine rarely go and hide anyway.

 

[carol5208]

As far as it penetrating further down into the cage, you really don't have to be concerned with that. They will climb to the top and bask underneath.