How much uvb lighting?

[mhfan305]

I have a 18x18x24 terrarium, I have 2 exo terra compact tops for it. Each top holds 2 bulbs. In 3 of the 4 slots I want to use 2.0 bulbs from exo terra (now called natural light) for plant growth. The 4th one I would want to use a uvb100 13 watt with a perch underneath it that gets to a temperature of 80-82 degrees. Can I use this area where the uvb100 is placed as the basking area? Or does forcing the chameleon to stay under uvb rays not only for uvb absortion but as the only higher temperature area, harm the chameleon with too much uvb? Its for a Mt Meru jackson chameleon, which I believe is a montane species. Thank you.

 

[mhfan305]

Any inputs would help.

 

[TCMontium]

I think an uvb bulb can't produce enough heat for a Jackson's. You can use 1 compact top with a Natural Light and a Uvb 100, and a lamp with a 40W regular bulb. No need to second compact top.

 

[mhfan305]

Ive been reading this care sheet for Montane species https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html

For the basking area it says "Basking site temp high 70’s to mid 80’s" and the uvb100 gives me these temperatures at a certain distance. So isnt this right then?

 

[TCMontium]

Is there a difference between the tempetature of air in the high levels of cage and the basking spot? If there is a big difference you can use it but i have never heard an uvb bulb which is suitable for the basking of a montane species (exept babies). Also in the blog which you sent says "you will require a typically lower wattage basking bulb, (I start with 40w and work up from here)".
I am not really sure about that but i think an uvb bulb heats the objects which touchs it, it can't heat the objects with its light. But a regular bulb has a different working prencipe, it heats also the objects which are not touching it (a chameleon for example). But i am not sure about that.

Sorry for my language skill if its bad.

 

[pigglett79]

I use an incandescent bulb 60 watt to keep my Jackson basking area around 82 degrees. And he does bask frequently so it is important to have that spot. If your basking area is too low this can lead to many health issues. They need to be able to regulate their temperature by having a warn area and cooler areas. I also prefer the linear tube UVB light as it covers more area.

Also that size cage won't be big enough to keep him happy. My Jackson is in a 4 foot tall cage and he uses every inch of it.

 

[fleetwoodchams]

I use an incandescent bulb 60 watt to keep my Jackson basking area around 82 degrees. And he does bask frequently so it is important to have that spot. If your basking area is too low this can lead to many health issues. They need to be able to regulate their temperature by having a warn area and cooler areas. I also prefer the linear tube UVB light as it covers more area.

Also that size cage won't be big enough to keep him happy. My Jackson is in a 4 foot tall cage and he uses every inch of it.

Hey Pigglet,

Like your idea too. I use a 75 w halogen bulb from GE It looks just like a regular lightbulb but throws a lot of heat and white light.
As a matter of fact I got Jungle LED bars from Todd at LightYour Reptile ( wonderful guy! ) to use for the summer months since these halogen give off heat. I only use themin the winter.

 

[mhfan305]

The entire cage is around 71 degrees and gets to 75. But the uvb bulb used for the "basking spot" gets its area (branch below it) to 83.5 degrees. Isnt this actual heat the chameleon can use to properly digest? Or does a basking bulb create different heat than a uvb?

 

[mhfan305]

Ok so I cant use a uvb for basking, I understand that now. But does 1 exo terra uvb100 bulb cover a 18x18x24 size tank? Or should I get a tube style uvb bulb to enlarge the uvb area?