Question on the right lighting for reptarium size

[Cmoore]

Hello - I am in the processing of setting up the home for our 3 month old veiled cham that I hope to pick up this weekend. I want to make sure I get the lighting right as I have read several different opinions on this and I want to make sure I've got it right. First off, I have the 65 gal reptarium 30" H x 28"W. I know this is a tad big for a 3 month old, but I know he cup feeds now, so I plan on cup feeding him at home. Since it's a reptarium with black mesh screen, I read that the Reptisun 10 uvb would be better than the 5. But I've read here on this forum that the 5 uvb would be ideal. I purchased a 20" hood cover which can hold an 18" linear fluorescent and two incandescent bulbs which I bought the day/night combo. I won't need the night heat so I thought I would put a plant grow light in there with the 60w day light and uvb light. With the size of reptarium I have and the age of our soon to be veiled cham what is the recomendation for the various lights that I should put in the hood? Your replies are greatly appreciated!

 

[slinko9]

I think thats a good idea,,,putting a plant grow light in there,,,,I havent heard anything detrimental as to what effect if any it would have on the cham!!!
Get yourself a couple of thermometers and get readings at the basking spot and at the bottom,,depending on type of cham,,,and at 3 months id dare say,,,,approx. 80ish at the top and 70ish at the bottom,,,and then adjust your wattage of your light accordingly,,,,with a 15 watt bulb I have difficulty with the top temp,,,,but I got a stand that I can move it away from the top which is helping a lot!!!
I love cup feeding!!!
Also live plants and regular misting will help keep your humidity levels in the area of 60 - 80%!!!
I have a dripper to keep water flowing inbetween mistings!!!
Im sure there will be more help coming,,,,just a start!!!

 

[Cmoore]

Thank you. I have a fogger and drip system. I have two thermometers - one for the basking area and one for the bottom of the enclosure and one humidity gauge. It will have plenty of live plants and lots of vines/branches are various levels to climb around on. I feel pretty good about being able to keep the right humidity level and providing drinking water - it's the lighting that I am questioning. So many varying opinions out there. I want to get it as perfect as possible. I am hoping to get a consensus on exactly what 3 lights (including wattage) I should put in the hood.

 

[carol5208]

hello and welcome to future chameleon ownership! As far as the lighting, the majority of us use the Reptisun or Reptiglo 5.0 linear, and a seperate dome for basking. This way the basking area is concentrated and does not heat up the over all enclosure too much. Go to home depot and you can get linear 6500L grow light for your plants. You said day/night light? I would take that back as you need no lights on in the enclosure at night.

 

[slinko9]

Oh so plant lights wont harm chams eh???
And now I have a question,,,,in a dual top,,,is it okay to have just 1 reptiglo 5.0,,,or are you supposed to have 2????

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Just one linear UVB bulb, either the reptiglo or the reptisun 5.0