rhochrun85
New Member
Hi all,
So I got a panther chameleon about 3 weeks ago. Ive had jacksons and veileds in the past. I built my own cage, sorta following the youtube video posters sourced on here using aluminum window replacement pieces as my frame, plexiglass as my bottom, and aluminum screening. It is completely screen aside from the bottom.
It is 36 tall, 30 long, and 24 wide. In there are two plants, measuring about 20 inches tall each. I was told to use a 60 or 75 watt bulb, however, when doing that, I could barely feel it on the back of my hand, and the temp with a gun was reading about 80 where he is able to post up at. The room temp is just below that, 77.
I went and bought a zoomed blue incandescent heat light, 150 watt, and I am getting a reading of about 89 where he is able to get to (highest point, not counting the screen which he could very much climb on)
The breeder told me that is way too much wattage, I should only need half of that. I understand every set up and house is different, theres no draft in the room, it is already on the warm side, so part of me says trust the expert, leave the 100, but the common sense side tells me believe the gun and my hand, use the 150.
Only variable I can think of is the dome I am using is white on the inside (black reptile dome, white on inside) and not the chrome/aluminum colored ones you often see. Perhaps they emit more of the light/heat?
Thanks
So I got a panther chameleon about 3 weeks ago. Ive had jacksons and veileds in the past. I built my own cage, sorta following the youtube video posters sourced on here using aluminum window replacement pieces as my frame, plexiglass as my bottom, and aluminum screening. It is completely screen aside from the bottom.
It is 36 tall, 30 long, and 24 wide. In there are two plants, measuring about 20 inches tall each. I was told to use a 60 or 75 watt bulb, however, when doing that, I could barely feel it on the back of my hand, and the temp with a gun was reading about 80 where he is able to post up at. The room temp is just below that, 77.
I went and bought a zoomed blue incandescent heat light, 150 watt, and I am getting a reading of about 89 where he is able to get to (highest point, not counting the screen which he could very much climb on)
The breeder told me that is way too much wattage, I should only need half of that. I understand every set up and house is different, theres no draft in the room, it is already on the warm side, so part of me says trust the expert, leave the 100, but the common sense side tells me believe the gun and my hand, use the 150.
Only variable I can think of is the dome I am using is white on the inside (black reptile dome, white on inside) and not the chrome/aluminum colored ones you often see. Perhaps they emit more of the light/heat?
Thanks
