How long should the UVB be

[JJchameleon]

Hi there!
I am buying a 6% UVB tube lamp for my chameleon but I am not sure how long it should be? The options are:
15 inch
18 inch
24 inch
30 inch

All comments are greatly appreciated

 

[MelissaB]

I would buy the biggest size that fits the width of your cage.

 

[JJchameleon]

Would 10% UVB be too much?

 

[deerharvester]

10 % would be fine, that is what i use. Screen cuts the uvb down by about 50 percent. Assuming you have a panther or a veiled 10 % will be fine.

Scott

 

[carol5208]

I run mine diagonally on top of the cage in the middle. Just my preference.

 

[Venutus1]

Hi JJ

I would like to help you out here...
but it would help if I knew more about your cage.

Cage size.
age of Cham.
How heavily planted is the cage (ie. is there much shade?)

Yes,
while it is true screening does reduce UV as somebody mentioned,
it would have to be pretty dense screen to knock it down by 50%.
Average UV reduction we usually see with screen is 25 - 38%.

If you have a baby cham and / or it is in a small cage,
a 10% or 12% bulb - especially if it is a t5 High Out-put, would be allot of UV and could harm it if you have not enough shade. (or sparse plants.)

Just as a VERY general rule of thumb...
The length of the bulb can be 2/3 - to the full length of the cage.
If it is a small cage , say less than 2 feet tall and less than around 16 inches wide...
Then stick with a 6% bulb.
Why? .. because the cage is not large enough to create the proper UV gradient zones.
And if you have a baby, also just do the 6% bulb for now.

If it is a well planted 24 x 24 x 36 or 48 tall cage and has ample plants for shade then yes, a 10% or even better, Arcadia t5 12% bulb would be ok.

If you can afford a Solarmeter, they are a GREAT INVESTMENT.
And they always hold their value for resale.

I can give you more specific advice if I know the size of the cage and type of Cham.. or even better if I can see a picture of your set up.
Because then I would know exactly what you have to work with.
But I hope this info helps.

Also, this is a great video to see how UV is emitted from bulbs and it is only 4 min. long. At the end it shows a 10 - 12% t5 bulbs out-put....
So you can see what I mean when I say it would be too much on a small cage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUu24MNO2Ho



Cheers!
Todd

Hi there!
I am buying a 6% UVB tube lamp for my chameleon but I am not sure how long it should be? The options are:
15 inch
18 inch
24 inch
30 inch

All comments are greatly appreciated

 

[JJchameleon]

Hi Todd,

I am so glad that you are willing to help out with my chameleon care!
My cage size is 4 ft x 2 ft x 2ft
The chameleons age is probably going to be from 3-9 months old
The cage is not got plants in it yet, how many plants would you recommend?
Thanks again for taking and interes, any other tips?!

Jj