New set up, suggestions?
- Thread starter Erica1884
- Start date
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
A tube light woul give you more coverage throughout the enclosure. That's always a good thing. 
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
The compact lights like you have are ok to use as far as health wise. There was a problem many, many years ago with Zilla compact lights causing blindness in some reptiles. That problem has long been rectified. I have been in this community a little over 6 1/2 yrs and that story was circulating around back then.There is stygma about using these bulbs now because of it, and the word just keeps getting passed on down the line that they are bad. I personally use the tubes because they cover more area and brighten up the cage better. You will find many keepers on here that use the the compacts with no problems whatsoever.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
You are reporting on a very old story. Please see my post.
Erica1884
Avid Member
Okay thanks... Now that I have a freed up hood, since I pulled the night light.... What about setting up two basking spots? The cage is pretty big... Is adding another basking spot a good idea? Obviously I would have to make sure it doesn't get too hot in the cage, but is that something I could consider?A tube light woul give you more coverage throughout the enclosure. That's always a good thing.
Erica1884
Avid Member
Thank you for the info
Chachi
Established Member
I have a large cage for my female panthers. Its 30" tall but its 50" long. It has a 10" bin on 1 side and another 10"
bin that is empty, to catch water on the other side. She has a giant plant that stretches across both sides. The girls seem to love their cages.They walk around, hide, climb and explore everywhere. I have a basking light on both sides and a tube that fits across both sections. Works out great cause they are far enough apart.
bin that is empty, to catch water on the other side. She has a giant plant that stretches across both sides. The girls seem to love their cages.They walk around, hide, climb and explore everywhere. I have a basking light on both sides and a tube that fits across both sections. Works out great cause they are far enough apart.
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
I've never personally tried 2 basking spots but my thought process is, you have to be aware of the surface area of the top, will 2 basking spots make it too hot in all areas around the top section? Will they have a place to sit under the UVB without being under the heat? Can they just walk away but still in the top to cool down? If the cage is large enough both wide and deep like @Chachi 's then I don't see a problem with it. Like I said, I've not had experience with that and I've never had a 24x24 to experiment with. Think about those questions and try if you want. Just be very aware of the temps.
Replife
Chameleon Enthusiast
OK I consult with my vet (who also a reptile keeper)before all decisions I make for my animals and he says he has seen far more I eye problems in chams where the owner has compact lights rather than tube lights but has seen a few cases of reptiles with eye problems that had tube lights so alls I'm saying is it's a chance I'm not willing to take or suggest someone else take
Alexander1
Avid Member
I recommend to save up and invest in a light your reptiles lighting system, a quad fixture that includes uvb, plant bulb and daylight bulbs are worth the extra expense, the light the give off is great for your plants and Cham, trust me, make a one time great purchase it's well worth it
CharlieCharmingo
Avid Member
If you are going to use the compact lights you need at least three more of them if you want to keep the temps at the right degree and the humidity, along with making sure the uvb reaches all across the cage. I'm also using compact and this is how I have it setup. It's honestly probably better to go for the tube and one giant basking light (to save money)....but I'm already past that point. Other then that the cage looks great. But who doesn't love more vines to climb on?
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
Those coil lights may not cause blindness, but if the bulb does not provide enough output to compensate for the amount of foliage, MBD can still develop, due the chameleon not getting exposed to enough UVB. I've seen this with my own eyes, in juvenile animals that hide in the foliage.
