Seeking advice from experienced panther chameleon owners (lighting)

[Pancam]

Hello there! My little guy just had his 1st birthday and is ready for a new enclosure (he looks like Godzilla in the current one!). If possible, I'd like to address a concern I have before making any purchases...

I have a male Nosy Be who just turned a year old as I mentioned before. I am looking to switch him from an 18"x18"x24" aluminum screen enclosure to a 24"x24"x48" aluminum screen enclosure. The current enclosure is lighted/heated with an 18" ExoTerra Dual Top Canopy, which contains a 5.0 bulb, a 2.0 bulb, and a 35-watt halogen bulb. Humidity is maintained with an ExoTerra Monsoon mister. The enclosure is monitored with a digital thermometer/hygrometer.

My main concern is how to provide the best lighting for the new enclosure. I was planning to purchase the 24" Dual Top Canopy, which is identical to the one I already have, except it's longer and holds 2 halogen bulbs. I read somewhere that UV rays will not penetrate beyond 12" though, and that a mercury vapor bulb can be used to provide all lighting needs instead if placed in a large dome. What would you recommend?

I plan to keep using the Monsoon mister and digital thermometer/hygrometer I have. I really don't have any other concerns beyond the lighting unless you guys have any additional advice to give!

Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[sdheli420]

Hello there! My little guy just had his 1st birthday and is ready for a new enclosure (he looks like Godzilla in the current one!). If possible, I'd like to address a concern I have before making any purchases...

I have a male Nosy Be who just turned a year old as I mentioned before. I am looking to switch him from an 18"x18"x24" aluminum screen enclosure to a 24"x24"x48" aluminum screen enclosure. The current enclosure is lighted/heated with an 18" ExoTerra Dual Top Canopy, which contains a 5.0 bulb, a 2.0 bulb, and a 35-watt halogen bulb. Humidity is maintained with an ExoTerra Monsoon mister. The enclosure is monitored with a digital thermometer/hygrometer.

My main concern is how to provide the best lighting for the new enclosure. I was planning to purchase the 24" Dual Top Canopy, which is identical to the one I already have, except it's longer and holds 2 halogen bulbs. I read somewhere that UV rays will not penetrate beyond 12" though, and that a mercury vapor bulb can be used to provide all lighting needs instead if placed in a large dome. What would you recommend?

I plan to keep using the Monsoon mister and digital thermometer/hygrometer I have. I really don't have any other concerns beyond the lighting unless you guys have any additional advice to give!

Thanks in advance for your help...

I personally only use the mecury vapor bulbs (ie. powersun uvb) for free ranging, and very very large cages (walk in size) other wise everyone uses the same thing thats proven to work.

(1) one linear uvb bulb 5.0 tube style

(1) one 40 to 60 watt standard house bulb (40 watt or 60 watt depending on what temp you are trying to get.)

and use your calcium everyday

and calcium with uvb once a month

and vitimins also once a month.

 

[sandrachameleon]

....
My main concern is how to provide the best lighting for the new enclosure. I was planning to purchase the 24" Dual Top Canopy, which is identical to the one I already have, except it's longer and holds 2 halogen bulbs. ...

that should be fine, you might not even need the two halogens. Just make sure he can get within 12" of the UVB and not too close to the halogen heat

 

[Pancam]

Calcium with UVB?

I personally only use the mecury vapor bulbs (ie. powersun uvb) for free ranging, and very very large cages (walk in size) other wise everyone uses the same thing thats proven to work.

(1) one linear uvb bulb 5.0 tube style

(1) one 40 to 60 watt standard house bulb (40 watt or 60 watt depending on what temp you are trying to get.)

and use your calcium everyday

and calcium with uvb once a month

and vitimins also once a month.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! What did you mean by calcium with UVB once a month? I dust his food with calcium and have a 5.0 UVB bulb on for 12 hours daily. Sorry, but I'm not sure what the calcium with UVB monthly means...

 

[Pancam]

Thanks!

that should be fine, you might not even need the two halogens. Just make sure he can get within 12" of the UVB and not too close to the halogen heat

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jamall]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! What did you mean by calcium with UVB once a month? I dust his food with calcium and have a 5.0 UVB bulb on for 12 hours daily. Sorry, but I'm not sure what the calcium with UVB monthly means...

I think what he means is calcium with d 3

 

[Jamall]

From what I understand d 3 is what UVB is turned into in the lizards body and too much can cause od

 

[Jamall]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong

 

[Pancam]

Thank you!

I think what he means is calcium with d 3

I think you're right, thanks. I've been using 'Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus' to dust the insects, which has Vitamin D in it. I was told that supplement would be sufficient. The insects are also gutloaded with"Repashy Superfoods Bug Burger', so hopefully the combination is all that's needed. He seems to be doing well so far...

 

[Pancam]

UVB, D3, Calcium

From what I understand d 3 is what UVB is turned into in the lizards body and too much can cause od

I think that it goes something like this (please correct me if I am wrong):
UVB exposure --> Stimulates the production of D3 --> D3 aides in calcium absorption --> Both calcium and D3 are necessary to maintain healthy bones, etc.

*** I read that captive chameleons are not able to synthesize enough D3 on their own unless they spend a significant amount of their time outdoors, which is why supplementation is needed.