UV Lighting--Is Bigger Better?

[jtimen]

Hi All,
I have a Reptisun T5 high output 14 inch hood (12 inch bulb) on an 18 inch wide enclosure. Is the UV coverage adequate, or should I move to the next size up, the 24 inch hood? Also, the heat lamp is in the back right-hand corner, with the hood in front of it. When my veiled basks, I'm concerned that she's not getting enough UV exposure, since the hood is further forward, towards the center of the enclosure. Not sure if the longer bulb is also wider, and if that would make a difference, too.

 

[Virgil1972]

Can you post a pic of the cage. I would think that would be enough but I would like to see the cage. You can buy some cards that test the UVB at petsmart. They look like credit cards, im not sure how accurate they actually are but I use them and they seem to work well. To tell how wide a bulb is look at the T number. Each one equals 1/8 inch so a T5 is 5/8 of an inch and a T8 is 1 inch.

 

[jtimen]

Hey, thanks for taking a look. Not the best pic, but here you go:

 

[trickedoutbiker]

You should definitely add more branches and/or vines for your chameleon to crawl around on......

 

[jtimen]

Yeah, took the picture a few days back, just after I added the hibiscus. I had to take out a lot of the cage furniture to make room. I've added branches back, and put in a good vine for her, too. Do you think there should be some horizontal ones lower down, too? She really seems to like climbing on the hibiscus. Thanks!

 

[trickedoutbiker]

Do you think there should be some horizontal ones lower down, too?

A good rule of thumb is to have horizontal branches at 3 or more different levels of your cage so that your chameleon can easily pick which level he wants to hang out on to regulate his body temperature. You said that pic is old, so I haven't seen your newest pic. Therefore I cannot accurately tell you what I would recommend. The Hibiscus looks nice though. If you can keep it alive then power to you! Most people have a hard time keeping them alive in cages because they are a very demanding plant and require lots of sunlight.

 

[jtimen]

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely add more branches. And the hibiscus really seems to have come out of shock well. I hope it stays that way!

 

[jtimen]

A good rule of thumb is to have horizontal branches at 3 or more different levels of your cage so that your chameleon can easily pick which level he wants to hang out on to regulate his body temperature. You said that pic is old, so I haven't seen your newest pic. Therefore I cannot accurately tell you what I would recommend. The Hibiscus looks nice though. If you can keep it alive then power to you! Most people have a hard time keeping them alive in cages because they are a very demanding plant and require lots of sunlight.

Here's the enclosure with more branches. I've got a few more to add, but I need to get some more neodymium magnets (I use them to mount the branches and to hang the feeding bin and worm cup). Thanks again for your help!

 

[jcarlsen]

I think your overall bulb placement is good, towards the front-ish center of the enclosure. That's how I have mine. Your cham won't be getting constant UV rays all day, so it's ok if the basking area gets it a bit less.

If you're in doubt, shoot Todd from light your reptiles an email with a pic of your cage and he'll give you some real concrete advice.

 

[trickedoutbiker]

Looks nice buddy

 

[jtimen]

I think your overall bulb placement is good, towards the front-ish center of the enclosure. That's how I have mine. Your cham won't be getting constant UV rays all day, so it's ok if the basking area gets it a bit less.

If you're in doubt, shoot Todd from light your reptiles an email with a pic of your cage and he'll give you some real concrete advice.

Great! Thanks very much for your help.

 

[jtimen]

Looks nice buddy

Thanks so much for the input. I really appreciate your help!