Usually active cham not very active.. too much UVB?

[Edwaldo23]

Hey Gang,

I live in eastern canada so I decided since I upgraded by enclosure this summer I would also up my UVB.

My enclosure is approx 4 feet wide and has approx 3 feet of roaming room vertically and 18" thick. I have a 75w basking bulb on one side for basking and a 5.0 UVB on the other side of the enclosure in reg light hoods. I went and got a Arcadia 6% halogen bulb and ran it along the top of the entire enclosure in the back with a reflector. Over the last few days I have noticed my cham is not nearly as active and lastnight actually stayed in the same area for over 3-4 hours before bed time.

I'm starting to get concerned that maybe the new lights is the cause... He did eat yesterday however before his lack of movement began. He is normally very active roaming the cage side to side. I have since this morning turned off the long UVB bulb and just tossed a 5.0 back in the hood on the right side of the enclosure to see if it makes a dif.

Any advice would be a big help.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Chameleomom]

The new light can be the cause....when they are new they are very strong and bother a chameleon. So let's see if I read this write you have not one, but two UVB bulbs going now?

 

[Edwaldo23]

I turned off the large Arcadia and just have a repti-sun 5.0 going on now to see if it helps.

 

[Chameleomom]

Can you post a picture of the encloser?

 

[Edwaldo23]

I'm at work now but will asap. Its a cabinet like enclosure made of wood with 2 large screen doors and the top is all screen as well. Basking light above basking area on right side and UVB light dome on right side. I did have the arcadia run the entire enclosure along a back side shining down.

 

[Chameleomom]

The size arcadia you are running is for fairly heavy planted encloser....he needs places he can get out of the UVB as needed. Todd at LightYourReptiles can tell you just what you need for your cage. He is a awesome guy and a great help.

 

[Edwaldo23]

This is the enclosure. The pic doesnt show the uvb dome on the right side as it wasnt there at the time of pic.

 

[Chameleomom]

Needs more coverage and make sure your top branches are a least 6 inches from the basking and other lights

 

[Edwaldo23]

O.k so prob just a smaller uvb halogen on the right side so he can go to the left to get out if it would be a better setup. His basking area is prob 6-8" from the basking light. he was very active until the light upgrade so I'm assuming that is the cause.

 

[Chameleomom]

No it is better to have your UVB run the length of the cage just give him hiding spots to get out of it as needed. Like I said you need more coverage

 

[Edwaldo23]

o.k I have more foliage I can add in to give him more shelter away from it. I add it tonight and turn the big light on tomorrow and see if it helps.. Thanks Chameleomom I appreciate the help..

 

[Chameleomom]

You only need one UVB. Use the long tubular one that runs the length of the cage. You are very welcome

 

[Edwaldo23]

I'll make the needed changes tonight after lights out so its ready for him in the AM...

 

[Chameleomom]

Cool....see how he does. It might take a few days with all the changes going on .Let us know how he does

 

[Chameleomom]

You might want to do these changes before light out so you don't disturb his sleep patter

 

[Chameleomom]

The new light can be the cause....when they are new they are very strong and bother a chameleon. So let's see if I read this write you have not one, but two UVB bulbs going now?

right*

 

[Edwaldo23]

I'm happy to report that after changing the lights back on saturday (basking light on one side, UVB 5.0 on the other side with another small reg bulb for heat) Cash has got back to his old self. He voluntarily wants to come out and play plus he's also feasting on his suppers and horns! Thank you Chameleonmom for the advice.

I do apologize for posting more then once on this topic but I was hoping for quick advice and Cash is like part of the family and when he wasn't his super friendly and active self I was very concerned.

 

[PJK]

could have been the new bulbs. They need to be run for about 10 days before the UVB burns off a little and it emits the advertised UVB levels. This is especially true for T5HO bulbs which sounds like you have.

 

[Chameleomom]

Awesome to hear it all worked out and I was glad to help. Cash is a handsome fellow

 

[Edwaldo23]

could have been the new bulbs. They need to be run for about 10 days before the UVB burns off a little and it emits the advertised UVB levels. This is especially true for T5HO bulbs which sounds like you have.

That is the exact bulb I have Pjk, The Arcadia T5HO 6% 54 watt. Its 46" long and was running along the back of my enclosure on the outside above the screen.