New! Help with lighting & what to expect from an expo

[ChamSky]

This has probably been covered somewhere along the road but I find it easier to get a clear cut answer than searching for hours finding Maaaaaybe what I need.

To start, I am getting a male Veiled Chameleon at the end of march. Not sure on size, hopefully a juvi or semi adult. Hope to find a nice specimen at the New England Reptile show in Manchester, NH.
What should I have the vet test for once I get one? I want him to be free of viruses, bacterial and parasites. I have heard to watch out for these things at expos. Is this a normal routine for getting one from an expo? I could also medicate myself if that is better. (figured vet could do a fecal swab)

Lighting question!
I have the Reptibreeze XL (24x24x48) Already have a 24" UVB (rating 5) strip light now I just need the UVA/heat. What are some Watt recommendations to reach a nice basking temp for that size cage? House is kept around 60-65degrees.
For a large cage like that do people do a double dome light combo? (maybe a 100w white and a 60 watt blue or infrared for example)
The lighting is really the last piece I need for his setup. What do you guys recommend

REALLY excited since the state I used to live in did not allow them. Now that I live in a state that does and I have had most other reptiles, this will be the crown jewel of my reptile keeping.
I work in a pet store so feeding will be a snap. We have roaches as well!

 

[ChamSky]

*bump
I see lots of people have read the post but can no one chime in on the lighting?
I want to know what other people are using for their 2x2x4 enclosures so I don't buy the wrong stuff. I know the temp range but no idea how that will be effected but a screen enclosure in a cooler house

 

[MelissaB]

I've only been to a few expos, and they didn't have a lot of chameleons. There were a lot of snakes and some geckos. There were a lot of booths that had feeders and equipment. It's a nice way to pick up feeders without having to pay shipping. At one expo, Timberline(I think), was giving out free cases of crickets. Maybe they did that because it was the last day of the expo, but it was a nice score.
As far as lighting I use a T5 four bulb set up, and have been really happy with it. One bulb is a 10.0 reptisun UVB bulb, and the other three are 6500k, which have been great for the plants. For a basking bulb fixture, I use a dome light with a ceramic socket from the hardware store. You'll have to play with wattage of the light bulb until you get the temp you want. Or you can get a dimmer so you can fine tune it that way. You don't want it too hot, or your chameleon will end up with burns. Either from the hot screen, or if your thermal gradient isn't good, from sitting in the basking spot for too long.

 

[mvad]

I attended the New England reptile expo in Manchester NH in January. There wasn't a ton of chameleons but there were some. I saw 2 adult sized Veileds. There were some juvie veilds but didn't see if they were male or female. I saw 6 or so 4-5 month panthers along with their sires. I also saw some sub adult Jackson's. I didn't buy any reptiles but did get a few plants (umbrella) and a good amount of supplies like egg flats and a small cage for when I do big cleanings. I also got some Repashy super pig and some hornworms. It was worth going even driving from RI. Only took me 1hr 10min. They have tons of supplies and cool things to look at and buy. Tons of live feeders on the cheap too. I would take alook at the vendors list and do a bit of calling around to solidify acquiring the chameleon your looking for.


*As for lighting, I would do it right the first time. I use an 8inch ceramic dome with a 60w bulb. Just a regular store bought one. For my uvb I went with a lightyourreptiles lighting system. Go with a dual or quad fixture. I can't say enough great things about Todd and his excellent customer service and high quality products. My veiled looks great and my plants are growing like weeds.

 

[ChamSky]

I've only been to a few expos, and they didn't have a lot of chameleons. There were a lot of snakes and some geckos. There were a lot of booths that had feeders and equipment. It's a nice way to pick up feeders without having to pay shipping. At one expo, Timberline(I think), was giving out free cases of crickets. Maybe they did that because it was the last day of the expo, but it was a nice score.
As far as lighting I use a T5 four bulb set up, and have been really happy with it. One bulb is a 10.0 reptisun UVB bulb, and the other three are 6500k, which have been great for the plants. For a basking bulb fixture, I use a dome light with a ceramic socket from the hardware store. You'll have to play with wattage of the light bulb until you get the temp you want. Or you can get a dimmer so you can fine tune it that way. You don't want it too hot, or your chameleon will end up with burns. Either from the hot screen, or if your thermal gradient isn't good, from sitting in the basking spot for too long.

yeah I figured the majority of the expo would be snakes and geckos but you never know! I can't wait to pick up all sorts of goodies (aka food for the cham lol)
thanks for the input, I am learning a lot about the heat and how they love to climb on the cage, I may even suspend the light to prevent burns. A dimmer might be the best way to go, since I know dimmers are rated for 150w (just so I don't get a dome that's rated for a 75w and then find out it's not getting warm enough. I have a 24" 5.0 reptisun uvb already and also have other 24 fish& plant lights if I need a boost for the plants.

 

[ChamSky]

I attended the New England reptile expo in Manchester NH in January. There wasn't a ton of chameleons but there were some. I saw 2 adult sized Veileds. There were some juvie veilds but didn't see if they were male or female. I saw 6 or so 4-5 month panthers along with their sires. I also saw some sub adult Jackson's. I didn't buy any reptiles but did get a few plants (umbrella) and a good amount of supplies like egg flats and a small cage for when I do big cleanings. I also got some Repashy super pig and some hornworms. It was worth going even driving from RI. Only took me 1hr 10min. They have tons of supplies and cool things to look at and buy. Tons of live feeders on the cheap too. I would take alook at the vendors list and do a bit of calling around to solidify acquiring the chameleon your looking for.


*As for lighting, I would do it right the first time. I use an 8inch ceramic dome with a 60w bulb. Just a regular store bought one. For my uvb I went with a lightyourreptiles lighting system. Go with a dual or quad fixture. I can't say enough great things about Todd and his excellent customer service and high quality products. My veiled looks great and my plants are growing like weeds.

Oh that's great to know! I am sure I can find something I am looking for. (its funny because I am originally from RI and now I live in NH) I do have a backup source If I can't find a nice sized male veiled there. Ill get familiar and take a look at the vendors.
I'll take a look at the lighting systems. I have a 5. UVB 24" already. I'll definitely get a regular bulb and not a spot light. I will be keeping live plants in there, plan to have ficus, pothos, and some others. Thanks for the advice

 

[Venutus1]

*bump
I see lots of people have read the post but can no one chime in on the lighting?
I want to know what other people are using for their 2x2x4 enclosures so I don't buy the wrong stuff. I know the temp range but no idea how that will be effected but a screen enclosure in a cooler house

....."I have the Reptibreeze XL (24x24x48) Already have a 24" UVB (rating 5) strip light now I just need the UVA/heat. What are some Watt recommendations to reach a nice basking temp for that size cage? House is kept around 60-65degrees.
For a large cage like that do people do a double dome light combo? (maybe a 100w white and a 60 watt blue or infrared for example)
The lighting is really the last piece I need for his setup. What do you guys recommend

Hi -
For lighting help - if you are not seeing the answers you are looking for to light your animals, please feel free to e-mail me. [email protected].
Since that is what we specialize in.

Cheers!
Thank you.
Todd

 

[Venutus1]

I attended the New England reptile expo in Manchester NH in January. There wasn't a ton of chameleons but there were some. I saw 2 adult sized Veileds. There were some juvie veilds but didn't see if they were male or female. I saw 6 or so 4-5 month panthers along with their sires. I also saw some sub adult Jackson's. I didn't buy any reptiles but did get a few plants (umbrella) and a good amount of supplies like egg flats and a small cage for when I do big cleanings. I also got some Repashy super pig and some hornworms. It was worth going even driving from RI. Only took me 1hr 10min. They have tons of supplies and cool things to look at and buy. Tons of live feeders on the cheap too. I would take alook at the vendors list and do a bit of calling around to solidify acquiring the chameleon your looking for.


*As for lighting, I would do it right the first time. I use an 8inch ceramic dome with a 60w bulb. Just a regular store bought one. For my uvb I went with a lightyourreptiles lighting system. Go with a dual or quad fixture. I can't say enough great things about Todd and his excellent customer service and high quality products. My veiled looks great and my plants are growing like weeds.

Thank you Mvad--
I certainly appreciate the kind words!

And I almost went to the Manchester show ...but something came up and I couldn't. LOL we could have bumped into each other!

FYI...In the Fall--
Arcadia & LightYourReptiles.com will have a booth at that show... so if you go --please make sure and stop by and say "hi".

Thank you very much.
Todd

 

[ChamSky]

Hi -
For lighting help - if you are not seeing the answers you are looking for to light your animals, please feel free to e-mail me. [email protected].
Since that is what we specialize in.

Cheers!
Thank you.
Todd

Thanks! I really like the guards on the domes, very nice! So far I have a dimmer dome for 150watts and got a 100w bulb just to test. I will certainly email you and keep you in mind if I need something or have a question! I definitely want one of those guarded domes....