My first cham cage

[tbone412]

I'm about to get my first chameleon and I just joined the forum. Making this post to figure out things on here and to ask a couple of questions about my first setup. I've been doing my research for a couple of weeks now and I think I almost have everything ready to go but I had a couple hiccups today.

Like I said I don't have the chameleon yet but I'm setting up his cage now. I have a 24x24x48 inch cage (will be getting an older cham, not a baby) and for lighting i got the 18 inch Zoo Med naturalistic terrarium hood because it seemed convenient to have both the UVB bulb and basking bulb in the same unit. I got the Reptisun 5.0 and this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000255OW2/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1. This 60 watt bulb does not seem to be putting off enough heat even though the basking site is just under a foot from the bulb. I'm realizing this may have been my first mistake as it is a nighttime bulb and maybe isn't meant to put off as much heat. The meter at the basking site is reading 80F at most. Is there another bulb I should get that will work in this Zoo Med hood or do I need to get a different lamp all together?

Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[SaintJimmy]

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use the night time bulb at night. Use only in day time.

ASAP get a 70-60 watt house bulb, the higher the wattage the more heat it puts off.

The only way to know for sure is to get a thermometer/heat gun and a hygrometer for humidity.

Take a look at some care sheets and make sure you have everything all good though.

 

[tbone412]

Oh I had no plans to use it at night. I have it on a timer set to be on for 12 hours. So I can use any 60 watt bulb like I would use around the house? With all the products out there for reptile cages I was under the impression I had to buy something special.

And I have a thermometer/humidity gauge right at the basking site.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Nope, nothing special. Most people just use regular incandescent house bulbs. You need to figure out which wattage works best for you. I use 40 watt bulbs on my montanes and 60-75 on my veileds and panthers. You can play around with the wattage and height you keep the light above the cage. It also depends on your house temp too. 60 watts is prob a good place to start. No red light needed, it wont put off enough heat.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I would also invest in a heat gun or temp probe. The cheap temp/humidity gauges are not the best. It is very important that you get an accurate reading on the basking spot.

 

[tbone412]

I would also invest in a heat gun or temp probe. The cheap temp/humidity gauges are not the best. It is very important that you get an accurate reading on the basking spot.

Thank you, I was questioning how accurate my gauge was as it seems pretty cheap. Maybe I have it warm enough and I'm just not getting an accurate reading.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Yeah, like he said, nothing special.

All those "specially for pets" brands are full of BS.

Don't need a 30$ mount and a 15$ bulb, just a 4$ bulb and a cheap 6$ home depot work light mount will work.

I've saved so much money by improvising with what will work best.

 

[tbone412]

Awesome, thank you both for the help! Very excited to get this right and get my chameleon home.

 

[rionjames]

look forward to seeing pics of the new addition!

 

[tbone412]

Pretty much confirmed the gauge i got is a piece of junk. Went to walmart and got a digital thermometer/hygrometer with a probe that is designed to be wired out a window to also measure the outside temperature. I just wired the probe over to his basking spot and it is reading a significantly higher temperature than cheap gauge. And the new gauge was still only about $12, very happy with the purchase.

I also replaced the red bulb with a regular 60 watt. The temp at the basking spot is still in the low range of what it should be tho and I'm not sure there is enough UVB light either so I am considering getting a dome lamp that handles higher wattage along with one of those bulbs that produces both heat and UVB light and using alongside my current Zoo Med hood to really light up the cage. I'll attach an image so you guys can see. What do you think?

 

[tbone412]

Now that I look at it that is an older pic of the cage. I've made adjustments to the bottom especially witht he plant/dish. But as far as the light is concerned would you say it needs another lamp?