Lighting

[Yowzercham]

I was told that a UVB UVA light should be inside the enclosure not on top of screen. That the screen stops the rays?

 

[jamjam]

true and false. no one would recommend the light being inside too much of a risk for burns. but you are correct screen can in fact filter out as much as 50% hence why some people use arcadia 12% and the 10.0 bulbs to accomodate for the lost amounts. I however on my adult cage my guy will be going too has 1/4" hole up top not so much of a worry

 

[Devokid]

true and false. no one would recommend the light being inside too much of a risk for burns. but you are correct screen can in fact filter out as much as 50% hence why some people use arcadia 12% and the 10.0 bulbs to accomodate for the lost amounts. I however on my adult cage my guy will be going too has 1/4" hole up top not so much of a worry

I second this response. Don't put the light inside the cage.

 

[Venutus1]

Things to keep in mind when thinking about Arcadia 12% Bulbs.

true and false. no one would recommend the light being inside too much of a risk for burns. but you are correct screen can in fact filter out as much as 50% hence why some people use arcadia 12% and the 10.0 bulbs to accomodate for the lost amounts. I however on my adult cage my guy will be going too has 1/4" hole up top not so much of a worry

I second this response. Don't put the light inside the cage.

so true, so true Devokid and jamjam.
In almost all cases, having light simply setting on top over the screen is just fine.





Now about 12% bulbs.

WE ALWAYS MUST ADVISE PEOPLE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES AND USE THE
12% BULBS WITH CAUTION.

Please see a few things below that are very important to know.

And remember -- we all must work to continue our education on providing UV and correct lighting to our animals... because the "last word" is far from in.
There is so much more to learn for all of us.

If you are using or thinking of using an Arcadia 12% bulb-
the checklist starts here:


1.
ONLY on a large cages (36 - 48H and 24 wide). BIGGER THE BETTER
In a large cage, UV ZONES are created so the animal can move as they choose from one UV ZONE to another as they would in Nature.
2.
on adult chams
3.
Set up properly with lots of plants / shade
4.
And keeping the perches directly under the light a good 12" - 16" away
5.
And using a proper basking/dome light so the Cham will not TRY TO GET TO CLOSE TO THE HO t5 for heat.
We do not want to force the animal to have to use the HO t5 fixtures as its sole heat source and be compelled stay too close to it.
This is important.
Always use a NON UV dome light / heat light in conjunction with any other UV light on a reptile. ( a ceramic heat emitter would be ok too.)
It is important that the animal is not FORCED to soak up more UV rays than they need to just to stay warm and digest their food.
6.
A Solarmeter is VERY HANDY.

An Arcadia 12% can work well IF it is the right light for your set up.
We have customers that have been doing that for 2+ years now with fantastic looking Chams.
But not everyone has the set up to use 12% bulbs.
So don't think the higher percentage makes them better for your particular set-up.

Please read on....

A 12% may NOT BE THE RIGHT CHOICE for your Cham's set up even if ONE of the below is true:

a.
the cage set up is smaller, narrow- so as to NOT ALLOW the Proper UV GRADIENTS
The animal can not get out from under the bulb.
b.
there is not allot of shade-so as to NOT ALLOW the Proper UV GRADIENTS
c.
the animal can climb up (too) close to the light
d.
the animal is a baby or quite young
e.
The species of Cham is one that is very shade loving and does not require or tolerate higher UV.


If even one of the above is true--
then I recommend just sticking with the Arcadia 6% HO T5 Bulb.
Because those are awesome too!



Cheers.
Sincerely,
Todd

Please click on below to see some examples of UV testing with Arcadia bulbs in Tropic Blaze double bulb fixtures.
The first pic is WITH SCREEN, 2nd and 3rd pic readings are taken with NO SCREEN.