My New Enclosure!!

G

gsurfn

New Member
Hey everyone,

Crash is about 5 and a half months old now so with all the advice from the people on this forum I have upgraded him to his new habitat. I would love any feedback.

The plant is a schleffera and as you can see I have created multiple vine levels and then added in some burnt bamboo sticks and wrapped them with vines as well for extra climbing areas. I look forward to the feedback!

Also that is a 100 watt mercury vapor bulb in there and a dripper on top. I am ordering a mist king within the month!

I also replanted the scleffera with organic potting mix.
 

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Yes you could use a lot more plants i would suggest a nice big full scheffelera and they are usually the easiest to find.
 
You need a 5.0 linear UV Bulb. Basking can be accomplished with a $6.00 clip fixture and a household 60w bulb.
 
there are arguments for and against mercury vapor bulbs. i appreciate the advice but I have also read that 5.0 uvb bulbs aren't great going through screen cages. Why would I need a uvb bulb and a basking light if I already have a mv bulb?
 
anybody know where I could get a large scheflera? the one in the picture I got from Lowe's but that was the biggest they had.

I feel like whenever I think that I'm all done buying things for the new enclosure, I have to get more :( :(
 
There are no issues with linear tubes going thru screen cages. They do lose some uvb going through the dense mesh reptarium screen. But thats not what you have. I wouldnt take a chance with a mv bulb. Its much easier to just use a retisun 5.0 and an incadescent for heat. Then the cham can reg their own uvb exposure. If theyve had enough they move down in the cage. Same for heat.
 
I seen some big schefflera at Wal mart for $14 the were about 3 or so feet tall.

I know a few people that have had success using Mercury Vapor bulb.
Do you have a UVB meter so you can adjust the bulb to have the right amout of uvb output? Those bulbs are pretty strong.
 
im using a repti glo 5.0 and the uv goes through my mesh fine i have a little uv detector which seems to be doing the job :)
 
Ok I have a 18 inch 5.0 reptisun bulb that I was using with my smaller enclosure. I also have a 60 watt basking bulb (also used with the smaller enclosure). Should I just set those back up??

I am just confused as to why the MV bulb cannot be used. I see your argument that they can decide when they want heat and when they want uv, but can't they do the same with a MV?

Since a MV provides both uvb and heat, wouldn't they be able to adjust by going higher or lower in the cage for heat and same with uvb?

I do not have a uvb meter and that is definitely something else that I have to put on the list to buy.

I will go check out wal-mart for a schefflera. Thanks for the tip
 
If I am coming off as rude or anything I'm sorry. I just want to pick everyones brains about everything!
 
quote from Todnedo

"The mercury vapor bulbs are great for UVB and heat.
Your plants are going to need more light from the red side of the spectrum to thrive.

Its best to have :
1 basking bulb
1 uvb bulb
1 full spectrum bulb
This way you'll still be under 100 watts and if one bulb burns out your not left in the dark. "
 
gsurfn said:
there are arguments for and against mercury vapor bulbs. i appreciate the advice but I have also read that 5.0 uvb bulbs aren't great going through screen cages. Why would I need a uvb bulb and a basking light if I already have a mv bulb?
Click to expand...

Most of the arguments are against.
You need to be very careful if you decide to use it. Do you have a UV meter?
I don't and would not consider a mercury vapor bulb.
You don't necessarily want basking light and UVB together, this gives the chameleon no choices.

-Brad

edit: didn't read page two before posting ... sorry for re-addressing what has already been discussed.

-B.
 
ok but for my size cage, a 2x2x4 ft enclosure, can I get away with using an 18 in 5.0 reptisun uvb bulb and a 60 watt basking bulb? I also have a 60 watt zoo med daylight blue bulb. So does that light set up sound better??

-1 18in 5.0 reptisun uvb bulb
-1 60 watt basking bulb
-1 60 watt daylight blue bulb

I think I have all the right components. Just let me know if you guys thinks this sounds good. Thanks! :cool:
 
In that size enclosure I use:

(in a double fixture) 1 5.0 tube, 1 plant light tube, one basking light fixture with a 40 watt household bulb sitting directly on top of the screen.

-Brad
 
gsurfn said:
Ok I have a 18 inch 5.0 reptisun bulb that I was using with my smaller enclosure. I also have a 60 watt basking bulb (also used with the smaller enclosure). Should I just set those back up??

I am just confused as to why the MV bulb cannot be used. I see your argument that they can decide when they want heat and when they want uv, but can't they do the same with a MV?

Since a MV provides both uvb and heat, wouldn't they be able to adjust by going higher or lower in the cage for heat and same with uvb?
Click to expand...

You can use MV bulb as long as you have Solarmeter 6.2 to determine the strength of uvb of the basking area accurately. MV emit a very strong uv light; so, it is very hard to measure how much uv you are giving without the uvb meter. And, yes, you do not need basking lamp if you already have MV because they emit both. and you can adjust he heat and uvb based on going higher and lower.. but you will need both solarmeter and thermometer (i recommend using a tempgun) to properly set the height.

If you have no proper measurement device, then I suggest going to the safest route which is reptisun 5.0 and incandescent bulb.

Beside schefflera, you can use golden pothos (for filler. The leaves are big. The plant is hardy and can grow well even under low light).
With a plant light (i used GE brand found in Lowes), they will thrive.
 
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