Metal Halide for Cham Heating/Lighting

[SamW]

I am a new Cham owner..

Samir, my 5mo old veiled male currently has a UVB light, as well as a heating spot. Today, I read something about metal halide lights are optimal, opposed to UVB. Not only that, but they supply enough heat as well. I was looking for further input on this topic. I just so happen to have a MH light fixture and ballast lying around.. I'm also assuming the wattage I have for mine is too big. Would would be appropriate?

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I am a new Cham owner..

Samir, my 5mo old veiled male currently has a UVB light, as well as a heating spot. Today, I read something about metal halide lights are optimal, opposed to UVB. Not only that, but they supply enough heat as well. I was looking for further input on this topic. I just so happen to have a MH light fixture and ballast lying around.. I'm also assuming the wattage I have for mine is too big. Would would be appropriate?

I think your going to find that even if you can get the proper uvb requirement with the metal halide lamp the heat its going to generate is going to be so intense it would have to be raised up to prevent possible burns or overheating of the chameleon. I'd stick to flourescent lighting w/incandescent bulbs for heating. Less chance of burning your cham. I'd like to see that article on mh being a better alternative.

 

[tkilgour]

MH lighting is used for growing plants in the vegetative state and other things. It will not provide UVB. MH lighting will also have intense heat. Therefore, if you are using it. I suggest getting an inline fan to connect to your MH Hoods.

 

[summoner12]

There are brands of metal halide that do produce UVB. They are made specifically for reptile use.

They do provide a very nice spectra, but the quality of the UVB does drop off relatively quicker than the MV and linear fluorescent lamps.

There isn't much point in using MV or MH lamps as UVB/heat lamps. You need a UVB meter to determine if your lamp is close enough to the chameleon to give him the proper UVB level and then you need to make sure the lamp isn't too close to burn him. You will need to find that happy medium, and as the UVB decays, you'll need to move the lamp closer, but the heat output won't change, sooooo you'll have a greater chance of burning the chameleon.... see..... you don't have this issue when you use two different lamps, UVB and heat.

My suggestion is that you buy a dual lamp linear fixture and a normal clip light from either Zoo Med or your home depot. From Home Depot buy a 50w Hallogen PAR20 Flood lamp for the heat lamp and buy a 6500K lamp. It is hard to find the 6500K lamp in 24" lenths at HD and Lowe's.... so your best bet is to order it online OR order a Zoo Med Reptisun 2.0 (same thing as a 6500K). Then buy the same size UVB lamp as the 6500K lamp.

I really like my 24" dual T8 fixture from DIYCages.com.

 

[SamW]

Thanks for your help