Quick question : It won't be my last! :)

[bgriseta]

Hi! I'm new here and I found this forum VERY useful in my months of research before getting my soon-to-be new little friend. I will make an official introduction when I actually get the little guy

I am going to be getting a Senegal chameleon soon and was wondering whether should I get a Reptisun 5.0 or a 10.0? In the FAQ it says either would work but I want to know what you guys think would be best. I am not sure if I should get the higher one because it will guarantee more UVB or if I should avoid it because too much UVB might be dangerous for the little guy.
Some factors you may want to consider: I live in Illinois and I won't be able to let my chameleon outside very much as it is starting to get close to winter. The enclosure I currently have is small, the size 2 Naturalistic Terrarium 12x12x18. There is a screen mesh that will be in between the fixture and the chameleon.

(Before you rant about the small cage, I got it on clearance at the pet store I work at for $17.00. I will upgrade very soon if the chameleon does well and when I have saved some more money. The only way I got my parents to let me have a chameleon is because I convinced them that it does not cost a lot to set up the habitat )

 

[SaintJimmy]

I would go ahead and get a 5.0 if it's a young chameleon with a small cage. Bigger cage, bigger chameleon, get a 10.0.

I'm not a lighting expert, but again, like the FAQ says, I don't think it really has too big of a difference.

 

[bgriseta]

Thank you!

 

[CarlC]

The problem is the chameleon is not going to do well in a cage that small. You will not be able to provide any kind of temperature gradient.

Wait until you have the bigger cage. At a minimum I would go 16 x 16 x 30.

Carl

 

[Chameleopatrick]

If you are new chameleons and don't have the resources to be able to keep it properly, you may want to try something else. Most senegal chameleons are wild caught, and unless you give it a FANTASTIC habitat with everything it needs, it will die in a very short time.

Its great that you are here to learn and I encourage you to read the many threads available to help your education.

You may want to wait until you can commit to the essential keeping of a wild animal. If you are relying on your parents, its probably a bad idea.