Lighting in a Free Range Environment

[kaniff]

Hello,

I have an elevated ledge in my house about 3'x20' that I will be rehoming a veiled (most likely) on and I need some advice on lighting.
The ledge is very close to two skylights and is always very bright, plants thrive anywhere up there and if anything can get to much sun in certain spots. Im thinking of putting his food/water source right near the one skylight that always has direct sunlight so that where ever he goes throughout the day he will inevitably need to eat/drink and thus soaking up the UV he needs. Does anyone out there see anything wrong with my plan so far?
Thanks.

 

[Kodos2150]

UV rays dont penetrate glass well if at all so he won't be getting the UV light he needs from the skylights, just warm basking spots on sunny days

 

[Carlton]

Hello,

I have an elevated ledge in my house about 3'x20' that I will be rehoming a veiled (most likely) on and I need some advice on lighting.
The ledge is very close to two skylights and is always very bright, plants thrive anywhere up there and if anything can get to much sun in certain spots. Im thinking of putting his food/water source right near the one skylight that always has direct sunlight so that where ever he goes throughout the day he will inevitably need to eat/drink and thus soaking up the UV he needs. Does anyone out there see anything wrong with my plan so far?
Thanks.

You would need to hang a UV emitting fluorescent bulb over him unless you can leave that skylight open every day. The window glass will filter out almost all the UV. If you have power on the ledge, hang a ReptiSun 5.0 linear tube light under the skylight.

 

[kaniff]

I've heard that a lot before but glass cant block all the uv, I mean I have plants that need intense sun and they do great up there. I understand its probably not sufficient for a cham so im thinking of running a 4' uv light across the middle and dusting the crickets a little more regularly. Im assuming that would have to be good as far as uva/uvb goes? Not an inexperienced keeper, I just need some advice on building the best environment possible. I attached a pic of basically half the space, it goes about the same distance in the other direction. Any tips on any aspect of plan would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[franticurchin]

I've heard that a lot before but glass cant block all the uv, I mean I have plants that need intense sun and they do great up there. I understand its probably not sufficient for a cham so im thinking of running a 4' uv light across the middle and dusting the crickets a little more regularly. Im assuming that would have to be good as far as uva/uvb goes? Not an inexperienced keeper, I just need some advice on building the best environment possible. I attached a pic of basically half the space, it goes about the same distance in the other direction. Any tips on any aspect of plan would be much appreciated.
Thanks[/QUOTE

not all plants need uvb to grow in fact most plants just need visible light to grow and most plants that need uvb live just fine without it all together. i suggest that you get a uvb light as most of the uvb that your cham needs is going to be filtered out by the glass. also you might want to get your cham a basking light so that you always can be sure that it can have a warm place to sit during the day

 

[kaniff]

Thanks Carlton, I didnt see your post until after I sent my reply. The skylights do stay open all the time, plus the room that its in is full of windows. I think i'll be good on the lighting but its nice to confirm with others. Theres also lots of power so i'll be hanging a fan and a single heat source. I originally thought I was going to hang a few heat lights along the ledge but ive been monitoring the temperature up there for a few months and it gets very hot up there (im waiting till mid summer to see if it gets to hot) and with all the plant watering I do it stays humid, so far its seems perfect for a cham. Looking forward to getting a rescue that has had less than an ideal life and putting him in this space.

 

[kaniff]

thanks franticurchin, the ambient temp on the ledge is perfect and the two spots right under the skylights get well over 30 degrees ( plus i'll put one heat lamp for the winter) so its just a matter of getting the guy to bask there. Its a pretty big space but im hoping he will be smart enough to find the hottest spots. Thats why im thinking of putting his food/water there as well.

 

[franticurchin]

also if the sky light is open you might want to put a screen or somthing so that the cham cant get out and possibly eaten by a bird

 

[kaniff]

Yup cant get out, but if he does decide to get down and go for a wander in the house hes got a dog, cat & 2 yr old to look out for.

 

[franticurchin]

well in that case sounds fine

 

[jannb]

I free range all my chams and my Cuban Knight Anole. Make sure he's in a safe area because they do roam.

As for heat and UVB I would recommend the new Mega Ray bulb. You can check it out here:
http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/html/mega-ray-narrow-flood-report.htm
http://www.reptileuv.com/

 

[laurie]

I am currently setting up a free range (something I swore never to do) for one of my guys. Safety has to be a big concern. Chams do wonder and could fall/jump. Cats also climb. Cat, dog, and small child do not make for a safe free range area for a cham. Maybe some superfine netting so he can't interact with
the cat, dog, or your small child? Better to be safe for every one.

 

[Carlton]

thanks franticurchin, the ambient temp on the ledge is perfect and the two spots right under the skylights get well over 30 degrees ( plus i'll put one heat lamp for the winter) so its just a matter of getting the guy to bask there. Its a pretty big space but im hoping he will be smart enough to find the hottest spots. Thats why im thinking of putting his food/water there as well.

Right, you'll want to encourage him to spend time under the skylight or the UV light a while each day.

 

[kaniff]

Thanks everyone for your inputs!
Yup I understand the dangers of him falling or comming into contact with my other pets/kid BUT what im trying to do is create the best and closest to wild life posible for the guy, so hears how I justify the dangers;

Falling - Sh*t happens, what would they do in teh wild, buddy better hang on
Dog/cat - They've grown up around all kinds of lizards and random pets so they wouldnt harm him, the dog got bit by one of my beardies years ago and ever since then doesnt go near lizards

The boy - He does pose a threat to the cham if he comes into contact with him, what I hope is that the Chameleon will get lucky and bite him or something before getting injured, so my son will learn a valuable lesson..I know that might sound morbid but you gotta lean somehow.

Thanks again for all the input...Other then putting the water/food there I guess theres not much else you can do to convince him to go somewhere?