Still confused on UVB lighting

[BCam]

Hi everyone, I've been researching posts about UVB lighting for reptisun bulbs and am still a bit confused.

I have an 18x18x36" all screen enclosure for my adult Jackson Chameleon and need to buy a Reptisun Hood and bulb for him. I read that T5 is best, but I noticed online that there are quite a few variations:

Zoo Med ReptiSun T8 5.0 UVB Lamp

Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB T5 HO Lamp, 24 Watts

Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB T5 HO Lamp, 54 Watts

and

Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB T5 HO Lamp, 39 Watts

I'm not sure which would be best for his enclosure, but I also have a larger enclosure for him at my other place. That enclosure is larger, at 24x24x48". Would I be able to buy two of the same Lamps and Hoods for each? Or would the larger enclosure need more watts?

Thanks for the help with understanding all this! Just want to make sure he has enough light and is happy!

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I would consider Arcardia bulbs and fixtures due to their surprise performance and having the pleasure of discussing your set-up, environment ( are you in a warm/dry/wet/cool climate? ), what is your enclosure made from? (screen filters light), an so on, with @Venutus1 , of lightyourreptiles.com .
That said, I think a T8 5.0, possibly a 10.0, if you're using a reptarium with heavy mesh, would be a good choice. It may or not serve as a basking source, as well, as they can produce enough heat to raise the temps directly under them 10F or so.

 

[BCam]

Great! Thank you for your help and advice!

Both enclosures are Zoo Med Repti Breezescreen enclosures. One is 18x18x36 inches, and the other is the XL 24x24x48 inches. I live in New York, so it is not very humid. I mist him 4-5 times a day for a while which he seems to like, and drinks from the leaves in his cages. I have solo heat lamps I just bought for basking to use along with whatever UVB I get for each cage, I just want to make sure he is getting enough UVB.

For the past month since getting him, I'veI had the combo dome lamp now for each cage with a UVB and heating bulb, but because the heat bulb gets a bit warm, I raise the lamp on a lamp stand. I'm planning to just have one long Reptisun on each cage for UVB and then a separate basking bulb/lamp for where he likes to sit.

I'll look into the Arcadia bulbs too! I've read about them a bit on here, but am still confused with which of those would be best for each of my cages.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I stand by the T8 10.0s as a recommendation.

 

[BCam]

Thank you again for your help!

 

[NickTide]

I stand by the T8 10.0s as a recommendation.

I've heard about 10.0 hurting their eyes. Any concern? I like the idea of having a little more uvb, especially since they start losing effectiveness over time. By the the time you throw them away, a 5.0 may only be a 1.0 .

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Jacksons are naturally a montane species, but the commonly available species are WC from the introduces populations in Hawaii. Those animals are seen to occupy areas of full sun and experience lots of UVA/UVB exposure, though they can always retreat into the heart of a shrub, bush, or tree to escape it. Your screen top is going to filter out 30% minimum of the UVB strength of the bulb. You’ll have distance between the bulb and chameleon that will also diminish the strength of the UVB, and finally, there should be lots of foliage and opportunities to bask, while not being forced to soak in the full
Strength of the UVB tube. Keep your fixture toward the back or one side of the enclosure, or pick say a 24” bulb for. 36” cage and mount it over the center, so there is a greasiest going out towards the sides. At any rate, there shouldn’t be a problem with the 10.0 bulbs.