is 2 seperate heat bulbs acceptable?

[Eldevil8188]

Hello! Im new to this forum and i have a question i have been itching my head about. I have just purchased and set up my 24x24x48 screened vivarium and i am using coconut fiber as a substrate. Now the issue i am having is that im using a single 75w bulb for basking but it doesnt seem to be reaching down to the floor enough to evaporate any moisture in the substrate. I dont want any mold to accumulate and the temperature at the upper lever of the cage could use an increase. so i was wondering if adding a second incandescent bulb is ok, or if a 2nd heat source would throw off his natural instincts.... Any information would be beneficial. Heres a picture. Thanks!!

 

[Crashbandit05]

If it were me, I'd ditch the dual bulb dome in favor of a linear uvb light and use your basic household light bulb for heat/basking purposes. The cage should also not be on the floor, chameleons like their height! You mentioned using coconut substrate, how are you dealing with water drainage? Most of us have our cages sitting on racks or similar with a catch bucket underneath for the excess water.

 

[ChamLB]

The extra bulb will generate more heat but probably won't dry out the bottom of the cage any better than the first one. Putting the bulb on the side of the cage will cause problems with your chameleons behavior. You want the heat source to draw them near the UVB. Drainage or a screen covered container to collect excess water will work better.

 

[Eldevil8188]

Ok well see thats just my problem then i guess, i had a bare bottom in his juvenile cage but that was alot smaller too.... When i baught the new cage i also purchased the 2" deep catch all tray and did some reading ( of couse on the products web site) that recommended using substrate. I havent looked much into additional drainage. I have a general idea of how to add a dranage system but im not too sure how im going to go about it in this particular set up. I guess i have alot more research to do. I most deffenately will put him up higher! I just didnt have the room at the moment, and i will look into getting a lateral uvb rig as well as a wider dome for the heat bulb. Thank you !!

 

[Carlton]

Getting the air moving right over the substrate will help dry it out. But, too much air flow will dry out the whole cage. Better yet, get rid of the substrate.

 

[Eldevil8188]

Thats what i was going to do, i was thinking about using the hydroballs but i have to figure out how to set up the different layers so that i can use a bucket underneath. And suggestions?