Question about UVB

[womanrgreat]

I recently got a chameleon and know uvb is very important. I use the zoomed reptibreeze cage 18" 18" 36" size. Going to use the reptisun 5.0 18" tube. Once they get them in.
My question and concern is. These zoomed cages have very fine mesh like window screen. I read and researched the mesh from these cages filter 30% of the UVB rays from the bulb. Would that still keep my chameleon safe and healthy. Or could he have possibly chances of mbd bone disease.
With the current cage and being a baby veiled chameleon at few months of age. Don't really know any changes I can do to improve UVB output to him. Without him finding away out of the cage. While am at work and being a little snack to my dog. I know others here would have to use a reptibreeze cage for chameleons. Any pointers and helpful advice would be appreciated.

Correct temps for a baby male veiled would be appreciated also.
Working on getting the basking temp correct and whatever temps are important for them. Cool end maybe for say.

 

[Venutus1]

Hi There...
Just a few helpful notes below....

I recently got a chameleon and know uvb is very important. I use the zoomed reptibreeze cage 18" 18" 36" size. Going to use the reptisun 5.0 18" tube. Once they get them in.
My question and concern is. These zoomed cages have very fine mesh like window screen. I read and researched the mesh from these cages filter 30% of the UVB rays from the bulb. Would that still keep my chameleon safe and healthy. Or could he have possibly chances of mbd bone disease.

If using a conventional T8 lower out-put bulb/ fixture...
yes,
by filtering down the already low-ish UV by another 25 - 35% would put the amount of UV the animal is getting in the "low" end of things.

By using a High Out-put bulbs like an Arcadia 6% ... either linear or the new PL "U" shape bulbs, that will give you plenty of UV to offset an screen loss.

Here is the Arcadia UV guide page for Veiled Chams (aka also called "Yemen" in Europe) Chams, C. calyptrates:

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/guide-yemen-chameleon.jpg

It is giving it for adult chams, so I personally figure on it about 40% lower for babies **who naturally stay more in the shade** in the wild to avoid predation.




With the current cage and being a baby veiled chameleon at few months of age. Don't really know any changes I can do to improve UVB output to him. Without him finding away out of the cage. While am at work and being a little snack to my dog. I know others here would have to use a reptibreeze cage for chameleons. Any pointers and helpful advice would be appreciated.

Correct temps for a baby male veiled would be appreciated also.

Basking area perch(s) 86 - 88.
Use a few perches at different levels to get temps ranging 84-90 if you can.
That way, the more choices you give the animal - the better they can self regulate-- Just like in Nature.

Ambient temp. around cage-- day 77-ish - 82 ish.
Ambient temp night... anything above 65, with no drafts.
Room temp of 70 would be ok.

Cheers and hope this helps.
Sincerely, Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com

Working on getting the basking temp correct and whatever temps are important for them. Cool end maybe for say.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I recently got a chameleon and know uvb is very important. I use the zoomed reptibreeze cage 18" 18" 36" size. Going to use the reptisun 5.0 18" tube. Once they get them in.
My question and concern is. These zoomed cages have very fine mesh like window screen. I read and researched the mesh from these cages filter 30% of the UVB rays from the bulb. Would that still keep my chameleon safe and healthy. Or could he have possibly chances of mbd bone disease.
With the current cage and being a baby veiled chameleon at few months of age. Don't really know any changes I can do to improve UVB output to him. Without him finding away out of the cage. While am at work and being a little snack to my dog. I know others here would have to use a reptibreeze cage for chameleons. Any pointers and helpful advice would be appreciated.

Correct temps for a baby male veiled would be appreciated also.
Working on getting the basking temp correct and whatever temps are important for them. Cool end maybe for say.

I originally had my collection under a variety of ZooMed bulbs. I switched over to Arcadia lighting bought from Todd of Light Your Reptile and bought a light meter. I was astounded at how little UVB output the ZooMed lights--new lights--gave and how little they gave even just 10" from the bulb. When you are judging the output of UVB you also have to judge how far that UVB goes from the bulb. The Arcadia bulbs' UVB does reach a lot deeper into the cage. I bet Todd has a link that shows the results of that test--I did read it somewhere. Even really good, brand new Arcadia lights are nothing compared to natural sunlight.

 

[womanrgreat]

Hi There...
Just a few helpful notes below....

great info and thank you new friend. Today I started the reptisun 5.0 and have the zoomed fixture 18". Was costly at petco. The last few days I haven't even seen my chameleon bask under heat lamp or the UVB.
Really best I can do for UVB and will adjust the temps. Need new battery for temp gun always something lol.
What would be best to do with maxing UVB output with the reptisun. Put foil behind the bulb. Read that will help but not much. So confused now was told to use the reptisun 5.0. But forgot about the reptibreeze mesh. Gee

 

[Venutus1]

great info and thank you new friend. Today I started the reptisun 5.0 and have the zoomed fixture 18". Was costly at petco. The last few days I haven't even seen my chameleon bask under heat lamp or the UVB.
Really best I can do for UVB and will adjust the temps. Need new battery for temp gun always something lol.
What would be best to do with maxing UVB output with the reptisun. Put foil behind the bulb. Read that will help but not much. So confused now was told to use the reptisun 5.0. But forgot about the reptibreeze mesh. Gee

Hi There!
Yes, putting foil behind the bulb will help if the fixture does not already have a shiny / polished metal background.
I don't remember if it was discussed -- but you do need a small dome light with a heat generating incandescent bulb in it too.

Flo. lights really do not project heat down into the cage... so a flo. light does not create a good basking spot. A dome light with a 40w - 75w (depending on ambient room temp.) is used to create a basking spot 85-89 -ish degrees.

Hope this helps
Cheers!
Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com

 

[womanrgreat]

Hi thanks am currently using the reptisun 10 on my chameleon. The reptisun 5 don't know when there coming in at the store. I use a mini dome with a 75w light bulb. Temps are close to the 90's. So a dimmer is needed have to figure out on that works with these fixtures.
My chameleon started eating and pooping every other day. Seems to be doing really well. White urines getting a nice mist every hour with the monsoon.

Hi There!
Yes, putting foil behind the bulb will help if the fixture does not already have a shiny / polished metal background.
I don't remember if it was discussed -- but you do need a small dome light with a heat generating incandescent bulb in it too.

Flo. lights really do not project heat down into the cage... so a flo. light does not create a good basking spot. A dome light with a 40w - 75w (depending on ambient room temp.) is used to create a basking spot 85-89 -ish degrees.

Hope this helps
Cheers!
Todd
www.lightyourreptiles.com