Lightning

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Hello I have a chameleon who is currently living in a glass tank but will soon be moving into a tall screen cage. I am having trouble pinpointing on which bulbs to use, as I’ve received different opinions. I currently have a red basking bulb and a fluorescent uva/uvb bulb put in for him. I’ve had people tel me to use linear uvb bulbs instead and others said it doesn’t matter as long as he is getting it. Would a Reptisun 5.0 uvb bulb work?

 

[Chameleomom]

First you need to tell us what size his new cage will be. I agree with a linear UVB bulb

 

[Tucklander]

Yes the linear reptisun t5ho would be great. The compact uvb bulbs “rays” don’t travel, if you will, far into the enclosure, emitting the exposure needed. Linear lights usually will go “deeper down” and cover more area. This is an important part of the setup. It’s your Chams “artificial sunlight “ ...imperative to its health. New enclosure size would be needed to help with size of new light, (they come in a wide range of lengths) .

Kindly,
Bobby

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Yes the linear reptisun t5ho would be great. The compact uvb bulbs “rays” don’t travel, if you will, far into the enclosure, emitting the exposure needed. Linear lights usually will go “deeper down” and cover more area. This is an important part of the setup. It’s your Chams “artificial sunlight “ ...imperative to its health. New enclosure size would be needed to help with size of new light, (they come in a wide range of lengths) .

Kindly,
Bobby

The top of the new enclosure is 16” by 16”,

 

[Tucklander]

You can order a 14” t5ho linear lamp and bulb then...internet prices are ALWAYS better than the store...I had a good experience with Big Al’s Pet supplies but just that one time experience so \o/ knows...anywhoo, that’ll be great for the Cham, any UVB is better than none in the short term, but the experts on here have said, lack of penetration and also association with eye problems is why compact UVB have gone out of favor long term...again just passing on what I was told and trying to help

Kindly,
Bobby

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

You can order a 14” t5ho linear lamp and bulb then...internet prices are ALWAYS better than the store...I had a good experience with Big Al’s Pet supplies but just that one time experience so \o/ knows...anywhoo, that’ll be great for the Cham, any UVB is better than none in the short term, but the experts on here have said, lack of penetration and also association with eye problems is why compact UVB have gone out of favor long term...again just passing on what I was told and trying to help

Kindly,
Bobby

Thank you so much for the advice!

 

[Chameleomom]

Chameleons of most species need a cage that is at least 18x18x36 . I myself have 24x24x48. Your cage is way too small

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Chameleons of most species need a cage that is at least 18x18x36 . I myself have 24x24x48. Your cage is way too small

Mine is 16x16x30

 

[Chameleomom]

Not big enough in the long run

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Not big enough in the long run

I see, so you think that there is a place or website to get the cages for cheap? I can afford it but just wondering

 

[Chameleomom]

Amazon has pretty good prices

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Amazon has pretty good prices

Ok thank you for all of your help and info, I’ll definelty make some changes

 

[Chameleomom]

Your baby will be way happier in the long run. One piece of equipment every chameleon owner should have is a automatic misting system, such as Mist King

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Your baby will be way happier in the long run. One piece of equipment every chameleon owner should have is a automatic misting system, such as Mist King

I have an automatic dripper and I have a manual mister that I use everyday

 

[Chameleomom]

Chameleons use misting sessions for more than drinking. They use it to clean out their eyes. How many mistings are you doing in a day?

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Chameleons use misting sessions for more than drinking. They use it to clean out their eyes. How many mistings are you doing in a day?

Like 4-5

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Yes the linear reptisun t5ho would be great. The compact uvb bulbs “rays” don’t travel, if you will, far into the enclosure, emitting the exposure needed. Linear lights usually will go “deeper down” and cover more area. This is an important part of the setup. It’s your Chams “artificial sunlight “ ...imperative to its health. New enclosure size would be needed to help with size of new light, (they come in a wide range of lengths) .

Kindly,
Bobby

Since I am going to use a linear bulb, will I need another heating bulb

 

[Char333p]

Since I am going to use a linear bulb, will I need another heating bulb

Yes use a regular dome light fixture for the basking bulb. He will still need that concentrated heat. Also the basking bulbs don't need to be colored ( red, blue green ) that doesn't matter. you can use a 60 watt house bulb incandescent. not the coil looking ones. cause those don't generate heat.

I didn't have space for a large water container for a mist king. So I got the 2 gallon monsoon. I think its called on amazon, and its working great. Comes with 2 misters and has a few intervals. They need more of a longer misting session a few times a day rather than short 10 second mistings 10x a day. you kinda want to simulate rainfall

 

[Tucklander]

Yes as @Char333p said a household incandescent bulb usually 50-60 Watts (check your basking temp.) will be fine.