Also, not calling anyone out, that's why I said to ALL participating...
"Lightyourreptiles" chameleon lighting systems
- Thread starter OldChamKeeper
- Start date
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
Humility is a good thing and few have it @Decadancin
Lennoncham
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thanks this helps a lot.
broderp
Avid Member
Perhaps you should consider this and the cost of a better UVB unless you are dead set on a brand name.
https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Aquar...68&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=t5+odyssea+hood&th=1
Agreed, but it can still be confusing as even though brand A is better than brand B in most respects, there may be some situations where the weaker or less desirable bulb would work better based any number of factors such as breed, age size, enclosure size, enclosure foliage etc.
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm going to have to jump in and back Todd on his customer service, the HOURS of time he puts into to every person that calls him, the service he provides his customers in other ways, and for having a comprehensive array of lights that are suitable for reptiles and planted habitats.
Can people do as well with cheaper bulbs and fixtures? It's possible. 98% of the people on CF come here not knowing how not to kill a veiled chameleon, much less having a working knowledge of lighting types, spectrums, and how they influence plants. I've been growing plants, keeping aquariums, and keeping reptiles for over 20 years and I know a good deal about many types of lighting, spectrum and how it impacts various applications, and other attributes of light.
Lightyourreptiles.com has a solid array of products that meet the needs of virtually any everyday keeper and you get Todd's mastery of lighting and knowledge about various animal's lighting needs and in an era of unlimited resources at our fingertips, but people too lazy to access it, having someone like Todd, patiently put a lighting system together that will keep an animal thriving is invaluable.
I have several of Todd's fixtures and lights bulbs. In some instances, I've used other brands and bulbs for my specific needs, but never once had any of Todd's products not delivered what was promised and never once have I had an issue with any of his merchandise.
If he is rebranding cheap fixtures, he stands behind them and if the fixtures aren't giving good value and performance, he would take the loses in replacements and he wouldn't have the reputation he has. Whatever similarities or even if the fixtures are identical to other brands, I stand confident in my beliefs whatever is being done is above boards.
For the record, for all the time that was taken to discredit and accuse one of the sites greatest assets, what would have been accomplished if that time was put into researching lighting principals itself and how it impacts the life of our captive reptiles? You could have and understanding of where it is in writing that reptiles require and respond to certain spectrums of light, aside from UVB and how relying on certain types of lighting might not give favorable results for all chameleons. My own male Orange Eye parsonii seemed to have psychological aversions to my lighting and I back my suspicions with the fact that the coauthor of current reptile medicine and experienced chameleon vet, Dr. Scott Stahl, found nothing in blood work, fecal analysis, or any other underlying cause for the issues I was seeing in that male and now that said animal is under different lighting, and finally greenhouse lighting, he has improved.
As a consequence, I evened out my lighting spectrum and eliminated some of the warmer plant bulbs, since daylight bulbs do plants just as well and don't appear unnatural when mixed with the very warm spectrum of the basking bulbs I also use. I know a lot about lighting and still had an unusual instance of an animal failing to thrive under what most would consider ideal conditions. Who else would have the extensive working knowledge to discuss this with, but Todd. While I had already made up my mind and had a plan going forward, I STILL consulted Todd for his advice and I've been winning awards for plants grown under lights and writing horticultural articles for years. That's how much I respect and value what Todd and his products do for CF and the hobby.
Can people do as well with cheaper bulbs and fixtures? It's possible. 98% of the people on CF come here not knowing how not to kill a veiled chameleon, much less having a working knowledge of lighting types, spectrums, and how they influence plants. I've been growing plants, keeping aquariums, and keeping reptiles for over 20 years and I know a good deal about many types of lighting, spectrum and how it impacts various applications, and other attributes of light.
Lightyourreptiles.com has a solid array of products that meet the needs of virtually any everyday keeper and you get Todd's mastery of lighting and knowledge about various animal's lighting needs and in an era of unlimited resources at our fingertips, but people too lazy to access it, having someone like Todd, patiently put a lighting system together that will keep an animal thriving is invaluable.
I have several of Todd's fixtures and lights bulbs. In some instances, I've used other brands and bulbs for my specific needs, but never once had any of Todd's products not delivered what was promised and never once have I had an issue with any of his merchandise.
If he is rebranding cheap fixtures, he stands behind them and if the fixtures aren't giving good value and performance, he would take the loses in replacements and he wouldn't have the reputation he has. Whatever similarities or even if the fixtures are identical to other brands, I stand confident in my beliefs whatever is being done is above boards.
For the record, for all the time that was taken to discredit and accuse one of the sites greatest assets, what would have been accomplished if that time was put into researching lighting principals itself and how it impacts the life of our captive reptiles? You could have and understanding of where it is in writing that reptiles require and respond to certain spectrums of light, aside from UVB and how relying on certain types of lighting might not give favorable results for all chameleons. My own male Orange Eye parsonii seemed to have psychological aversions to my lighting and I back my suspicions with the fact that the coauthor of current reptile medicine and experienced chameleon vet, Dr. Scott Stahl, found nothing in blood work, fecal analysis, or any other underlying cause for the issues I was seeing in that male and now that said animal is under different lighting, and finally greenhouse lighting, he has improved.
As a consequence, I evened out my lighting spectrum and eliminated some of the warmer plant bulbs, since daylight bulbs do plants just as well and don't appear unnatural when mixed with the very warm spectrum of the basking bulbs I also use. I know a lot about lighting and still had an unusual instance of an animal failing to thrive under what most would consider ideal conditions. Who else would have the extensive working knowledge to discuss this with, but Todd. While I had already made up my mind and had a plan going forward, I STILL consulted Todd for his advice and I've been winning awards for plants grown under lights and writing horticultural articles for years. That's how much I respect and value what Todd and his products do for CF and the hobby.
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
It's more important that UV output is how the UV is balanced and if it is closer to natural sun output. Then you need to decide if the UV output is close enough to the sun that you only need to have it on during a few hours in the morning, which is when the sun would be at peak basking hours and most likely when chameleons be using it for purely UV
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
Dragon1516
Avid Member
Sorry I didn't mean it like that I ment it as in you have been around longer and you know what your talking about more than him or I.
broderp
Avid Member
As I promised earlier, hear are two images of my Odyssea that are close to the ones posted earlier in this thread.
Here is a short video of my hood. (Its dusty as it's been in the garage for a while since I have not been using it). There is single fan on the right and dummy port on the left) The housing is extruded aluminum with plastic end caps. The overall weight is pretty substantial.
Just reiterate, I'm only posting this to show that quality can be had at several price points. There is no one proper way to properly take care of a Chameleon and you don't have to spend a ton of money for the so called name brands to properly care for a healthy, happy chameleon.
Brand loyalty is great, and I'm all for it, but telling noobs that "this is the best" and that other brands are crap is a false statement in many cases. We all can learn a thing or two about this.
Here is a short video of my hood. (Its dusty as it's been in the garage for a while since I have not been using it). There is single fan on the right and dummy port on the left) The housing is extruded aluminum with plastic end caps. The overall weight is pretty substantial.
Just reiterate, I'm only posting this to show that quality can be had at several price points. There is no one proper way to properly take care of a Chameleon and you don't have to spend a ton of money for the so called name brands to properly care for a healthy, happy chameleon.
Brand loyalty is great, and I'm all for it, but telling noobs that "this is the best" and that other brands are crap is a false statement in many cases. We all can learn a thing or two about this.
Last edited:
OldChamKeeper
Chameleon Enthusiast
O.O
What the heck happened to a simple thread I made? I go away for a few days and this gets turned into a 4 page long drama over what? Stupid stuff.
1 - This guy, Todd, knows his stuff when it comes to lighting and more importantly how it affects a number of different species of Chams. Time and time again he has given the right information out when needed or asked. I've never once heard anybody have anything negative to say about him or his help. I'll pay extra for that type of knowledge, and I've been doing this hobby for 40 years so you're darn right I rarely need much help or find somebody who has the type of information and product I'll fork over my limited funds to.
2 - My post was intended to just help some of the newbies using the site looking for lighting options. I rarely ever help with noobs since I got tired of the "why does my $19 lizard need $100+ in lighting." I'm done with that. Go use the nice care sheets on this site.
Despite that, I felt like posting my thoughts and results with these great light systems. If they had been around back when I was trying to rehab imports they would have been a big help. Remember Vita-lites? If you do then I'll talk to ya, if you don't then you were not around back when that was the only reptile light to work with and beneath my notice.
I've seen all kinds of products rebranded. Don't care. I do care about the customer service however. Todd gives that and more. You don't even have to be a customer of his, he'll still help you. That's more than can be said of many other companies and breeders.
Now take my thread back to the point, these quad fixtures and the guy selling them are solid. If you have a chameleon and a good size cage, invest in the right lighting.
<Goes back to his cave and rolls the boulder shut>
What the heck happened to a simple thread I made? I go away for a few days and this gets turned into a 4 page long drama over what? Stupid stuff.
1 - This guy, Todd, knows his stuff when it comes to lighting and more importantly how it affects a number of different species of Chams. Time and time again he has given the right information out when needed or asked. I've never once heard anybody have anything negative to say about him or his help. I'll pay extra for that type of knowledge, and I've been doing this hobby for 40 years so you're darn right I rarely need much help or find somebody who has the type of information and product I'll fork over my limited funds to.
2 - My post was intended to just help some of the newbies using the site looking for lighting options. I rarely ever help with noobs since I got tired of the "why does my $19 lizard need $100+ in lighting." I'm done with that. Go use the nice care sheets on this site.
Despite that, I felt like posting my thoughts and results with these great light systems. If they had been around back when I was trying to rehab imports they would have been a big help. Remember Vita-lites? If you do then I'll talk to ya, if you don't then you were not around back when that was the only reptile light to work with and beneath my notice.
I've seen all kinds of products rebranded. Don't care. I do care about the customer service however. Todd gives that and more. You don't even have to be a customer of his, he'll still help you. That's more than can be said of many other companies and breeders.
Now take my thread back to the point, these quad fixtures and the guy selling them are solid. If you have a chameleon and a good size cage, invest in the right lighting.
<Goes back to his cave and rolls the boulder shut>
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
So much agreement here. I mean technically feeders are the same product being sold by hundreds if not more providers. What we want is customer service with them, and knowing we are getting a good product.
Goose502
Chameleon Enthusiast
So I have minimal experience with LYR, in fact, I've only purchased one fixture. That fixture happens to be one of his last tropic blaze quads he had. Poor guy had his supplier run off with his money. Now Todd was professional enough to answer all my emailed questions (he suggested the product I ended up purchasing), and explained the delay in delivery, and the reasons he was out of stock on nearly everything. He again went above and beyond by sending me a replacement bulb (6%) when it malfunctioned. He did this without doubting my honesty, for this I am a lifetime customer. I have kept reptiles well over 20 years, I have never found a better resource for lighting. And yes, I do remember the vita-lites, I watched my first Iguana die from MTB because of it. Look, I urge everyone to look for the best pricing, if amazon has it for cheaper, jump on it. Just don't expect amazon to give you any professional advice, or stand behind the product the way Todd will. This is the same reason I purchase animals from reputable breeders, and not a box store.
OldChamKeeper
Chameleon Enthusiast
Not a bad comparison. Another is just old fashioned retail. If I could go buy a new lawn mower directly from the factory, who needs Home Depot right? Speaking of lawns, get off mine! ( swings cane ) See what I did there....
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
Exactly! We refer newbies to Todd and say that's the best place, because they are going to get the right products, right information, and the backing of someone proven time and time again. That makes lightyourreptiles.com the best. If you have to chops to find better or equal lighting for a lower cost, then you aren't a newbie and won't be asking for advice. If you are a newbie and did some research and pieced together something adequate, I'd be willing to bet there are nuances to the lighting spectrum you are missing out on, plus who did you just support with your money? Another company that isn't nearly as invested in the wellbeing of our animals as we are. If Todd rebrands a fixture and profits $50 a fixture, good for him! He's earning the profit by standing behind the product and helping the community with his knowledge, time, and patience. Why would you want to take that away, so someone else, with no investment in the well being of the animals or our hobby can make their profit? There's NOWHERE better to send someone that needs help getting what they need for the best results with their captive animals, hands down, case closed, NOWHERE!
It's as much about where the money is going as it is the products, in Todd's case. Like giving to charity. Is the best charity the one you hear on TV about or see online asking for donations or a smaller one, that gives more to the cause and isn't paying for all the advertising? With Todd, you are supporting the "good guys" and even if he was selling repurposed toasters as lighting fixtures, he's standing behind them, so there's no reason to look somewhere else for lighting, unless you have very specific needs and even then, I bet you Todd will graciously cut his own paycheck to send you where you need to go to get what you need.
It's as much about where the money is going as it is the products, in Todd's case. Like giving to charity. Is the best charity the one you hear on TV about or see online asking for donations or a smaller one, that gives more to the cause and isn't paying for all the advertising? With Todd, you are supporting the "good guys" and even if he was selling repurposed toasters as lighting fixtures, he's standing behind them, so there's no reason to look somewhere else for lighting, unless you have very specific needs and even then, I bet you Todd will graciously cut his own paycheck to send you where you need to go to get what you need.
Exactly what information that someone like Todd can advise. I'm not sure what Amazon can give you (playing Devil's advocate for the sake of the discussion
)
About 12% bulbs...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...tion-is-key-12-not-always-best-option.129982/
About UVB coverage...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...ctually-gets-in-the-cage-that-matters.153747/
About UVB zones...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/posts/1309806/
About all LED's being equal... also a nice tip for raising a dome fixture...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/grow-light.151155/page-2#post-1281932
About lots of stuff...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...sten-to-by-bill-strand-and-todd-goode.153748/
Just 'cause I've been around longer doesn't mean I know more. I know what you mean, but duration here just means I've spent time here. It is always good to keep asking questions, even about the stuff we all "know" to be true
!
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