Uvb distance - I’m confused

[ItsMike64]

Hey people!

So I thought everything with my enclosures was all set, but then someone said something about their own lighting and it got me to reconsider. I want to double check the UVB is placed accurately.

I have two chams with two different enclosures.

We’ll start with my female panther:

Her basking spot is not directly below the UVB fixture and is about 4.5” from the top of the screen. I would estimate from the top of her back to the bulb it’s about 4.5 or 5 inches at an angle.

My male panther (5 months old):

His basking spot also is not directly under the fixture either and it is about 3.5” from the top of the screen (he’s a little baby and as he gets bigger I will lower it accordingly). I would estimate from the top of his back to the fixture it’s about 5.5”

Are these too close? The diagrams and Ferguson scales confuse the hell out of me. I have a T5HO. Here is the link

Opinions and help are welcome!

Thanks!

 

[Tkrd69]

@Beman would know more. For my veiled cham Beman told me 8-9 inches from branch. I can't afford a solar meter.

 

[DonKeesh]

Depends on a ton of factors.... What percentage UVB bulb are you using? Is it a multi bulb fixture? What kind of screen is it passing through?

 

[ItsMike64]

Depends on a ton of factors.... What percentage UVB bulb are you using? Is it a multi bulb fixture? What kind of screen is it passing through?

Using the bulbs that came with that fixture, just a single bulb, passing through a Reptibreeze xL screen

 

[Beman]

So with a Single bulb T5HO fixture and a 5.0 UVB bulb on a regular cage with aluminum screen you would want 8-9 inches to the branch from the bottom of the fixture. This will then put the cham in a 3 UVI level. I find measuring to the branch is a much more accurate way to determine the UVI level approximation rather than measuring to the cham just for the simple fact that not all chams are the same size.

Mind you this is testing with a solarmeter. And my range is a 2.8 at the branch to 3.6 at the top of the casque. I have branches all in the 8-9 inch range below the UVB.

 

[ItsMike64]

So with a Single bulb T5HO fixture and a 5.0 UVB bulb on a regular cage with aluminum screen you would want 8-9 inches to the branch from the bottom of the fixture. This will then put the cham in a 3 UVI level. I find measuring to the branch is a much more accurate way to determine the UVI level approximation rather than measuring to the cham just for the simple fact that not all chams are the same size.

Mind you this is testing with a solarmeter. And my range is a 2.8 at the branch to 3.6 at the top of the casque. I have branches all in the 8-9 inch range below the UVB.

Okay, so the branch itself should be 8-9” away, putting the chams back when it’s on the branch about 6-7” away? For both of them? Even though my male is smaller?

Thanks so much!

 

[Tkrd69]

If you can post a pic of your enclosure from light placement down so everyone can see what you're working with

 

[DonKeesh]

Using the bulbs that came with that fixture, just a single bulb, passing through a Reptibreeze xL screen

The bulb strength either 5.0 or 10.0 should be printed on the bulb. You probably have the 5.0 so basking branch should be 8 inches below the bulb as Beman said.

 

[Beman]

Okay, so the branch itself should be 8-9” away, putting the chams back when it’s on the branch about 6-7” away? For both of them? Even though my male is smaller?

Thanks so much!

Yes, So if you are using the 5.0 bulb it is a total distance of 8-9 inches to the branch. You are not going to the back. If the branch is higher even by 2 inches then your chams are in over exposure levels due to the fact that their back rises higher.

 

[ERKleRose]

How indirectly away are the branches from the bulbs?

 

[ItsMike64]

Here are pics. The one with the pink plant is my females, the other is my males. I will check the bulbs right now. Sorry I’m being a dumbass lol

 

[ItsMike64]

Pic of the bulb

 

[ItsMike64]

@Beman Okay this is what I’ve done right now. The uvb is diagonally and her basking branch is lowered to be 8” from the top of her screen, it’s about 10” diagonally from the uvb - better?

 

[Beman]

@Beman Okay this is what I’ve done right now. The uvb is diagonally and her basking branch is lowered to be 8” from the top of her screen, it’s about 10” diagonally from the uvb - better?

Yes much better. These will have her in the UVI levels she needs to be rather than up in overexposure levels.

These lights are really crazy strong output the closer you get to the light. So they can be dangerous if not at the right distances.

 

[BostonKeith]

just to double check my uv now because im paranoid! Arcadia t5 single reflector 12% (edited) 6 above screen 6 below to basking. Was based off this image. Are these numbers accurate still?

 

[DonKeesh]

just to double check my uv now because im paranoid! Arcadia t5 single reflector 14% 6 above screen 6 below to basking.

That's seems a little extreme. You definitely should check that with a solar meter. I think most people don't go above a 12% or 10.0 for chameleons.

 

[BostonKeith]

i ment 12 sorry edited up top!

 

[DonKeesh]

i ment 12 sorry edited up top!

Ok good. That should be fine as long as there is at least 6 inches of space OUTSIDE the cage between light and top of cage.

 

[Beman]

just to double check my uv now because im paranoid! Arcadia t5 single reflector 12% (edited) 6 above screen 6 below to basking. Was based off this image. Are these numbers accurate still?

Correct looking for a total of 11-12inches from the bottom of the fixture to the branch with the fixture and bulb type you are using. The 6 inches raised is fine as well.

 

[ItsMike64]

Thank you guys especially @Beman for the help!! I feel much better now haha