lihgting

[kit]

hi im setting up my 60x45x45 exo and would like to know if a reptisun 5.014w would be enough and also could i use a refector maybe something like the t5 over tank lighting unit?i ask because i dont realy whant a tube laying across the top i thought a refector would look better what do you think? and what watt heat light would i need ?thank

 

[Tygerr]

A 5.0 flourescent should be fine for your enclosure. As for the wattage, I try to use whatever tube size will cover the whole width of the top of my cage.
A reflector is usually a good idea for the Exoterra cages since their dark fabric does cut out a lot of the light from the flourescents. Reflectors are proven to boost the UV output into the cage quite significantly.

As for the heat lamp, it's hard to determine exactly what wattage to use without actually using a thermometer and measuring the temperature at the basking spot. In fact, depending on how much the ambient temps. affect the room you keep your chams in, you might even have to change bulbs from time to time to regulate the temps in the cage. In summer here it gets very hot, so I use much lower wattage basking bulbs.

 

[summoner12]

hi im setting up my 60x45x45 exo and would like to know if a reptisun 5.014w would be enough and also could i use a refector maybe something like the t5 over tank lighting unit?i ask because i dont realy whant a tube laying across the top i thought a refector would look better what do you think? and what watt heat light would i need ?thank

For a cage your size (how deep it is) and since I am assuming the material is plastic mesh. I would use a 48" 10.0 ZooMed Reptisun and then have a 'grow light' next to it using a dual fixture. If your fixture does have a reflector but it isn't made of aluminum or it doesn't have a reflector, then you can easily fabricate one out of your kitchen aluminum foil. UVB will not reflect off of silver paint or white paint, FYI.

As for heat it will depend on how warm you keep your house and what kind of chameleon you plan to keep. but again with a big cage a bit of a warmer lamp will be a bit better. Start with 100w and place a temp probe under the lamp on the basking branch. If it reads too hot, tr a 75w lamp. Leave the probe there so you can monitor the basking temp as the ambient air temp changes you can adjust your lamp to compensate. A Veiled chameleon will like to see temps in the high 80s to low/mid 90's at a distance of about 6-8 inches. Be sure to place the basking lamp near the UVB lamp so he can get both kinds of light at the same time.

 

[kit]

lighting

hi i did say its 60x45x45 and the top is metal.

 

[BMXICAN]

...and the top is metal.

Forgot that little detail...
Maybe set them up vertical next to the cages?
Or if they are against a wall, mount them behind the cages (between the wall and cage) in a up and down pattern. With a small reflector, that should be plenty of light. 2 cents...

 

[summoner12]

Forgot that little detail...
Maybe set them up vertical next to the cages?
Or if they are against a wall, mount them behind the cages (between the wall and cage) in a up and down pattern. With a small reflector, that should be plenty of light. 2 cents...

Bad idea to mount UV on the sides. Imagine the sun always being in your face all day. the animals are used to light coming in from the top. Just put the 10.0 lamp on top with a reflector and the animal will figure the rest out. they like to be high so your chameleon will not be sitting at the bottom all day not getting UVB, you don't have to worry about that.