uvb lamp blinding my cham

[gcn]

I'm a new cham owner (3 wks). Noticed that when I use the uvb lamp my veiled cham keeps his eyes closed and when its removed it takes 1 - 2 days before he opens them. Don't. Know his age. He is 3 1/2 inches head to vent. Repti Glo uvb 5.0 13watt. Compact lamp. I've seen post about this happening, what should I do for his D3?

 

[cricketkilla]

You need to get rid of the compact UVB bulb and get a Reptisun 5.0 tube bulb and fixture. It spreads the light out better and isn't so concentrated. You should also fill out the how to ask for help questions. What supplements are you using, are you gutloading his feeders, what are the temps for basking and ambient, how often do you mist his enclosure, does he have a dripper? Just some basic questions for you to answer, you can private message me the answers if you don't feel comfortable posting to everyone.

 

[camimom]

how close is the bulb to his basking spot?

you may just need to hang it up a bit higher.

 

[cigdoll]

The same thing happened with my brother's Veiled chameleon when he was using the compact bulbs. After he switched to the Reptisun 5.0 florescent tube, that problem went away.

 

[Jac1582]

Well I'll be switching to the tube light then as well. My veiled will keep whatever eye is closest to the UVB closed at times. Not always but every once in awhile. I first thought he had an eye problem but it's whatever eye is nearest to the light. Now it makes sense, thank you!!

 

[djfishygillz]

I'm a new cham owner (3 wks). Noticed that when I use the uvb lamp my veiled cham keeps his eyes closed and when its removed it takes 1 - 2 days before he opens them. Don't. Know his age. He is 3 1/2 inches head to vent. Repti Glo uvb 5.0 13watt. Compact lamp. I've seen post about this happening, what should I do for his D3?

There used to be problems with the compact bulbs but I heard the fixed them. But I believe they could still be harmful. Just get the long tube/linear bulbs, also what is your supplementing schedule?

 

[slinko9]

Not sure if there was any truth to what one pet store in the area told me,,,,but,,,he said the tube bulbs are being phased out in favour of the compact bulbs, I had a heck of a time finding 15 inch reptiglo 5.0 tubes!!!

 

[cricketkilla]

Not sure if there was any truth to what one pet store in the area told me,,,,but,,,he said the tube bulbs are being phased out in favour of the compact bulbs, I had a heck of a time finding 15 inch reptiglo 5.0 tubes!!!

that isn't good information. the are favored over the compact bulbs due to the fact that the tubes spread the light more evenly. the compact bulbs concentrate the uvb in a more compact area and I think it is harmful to their little sensitive eyes. Its probably like staring at a camera flash all day long.. no fun.

 

[burnedrose]

that isn't good information. the are favored over the compact bulbs due to the fact that the tubes spread the light more evenly. the compact bulbs concentrate the uvb in a more compact area and I think it is harmful to their little sensitive eyes. Its probably like staring at a camera flash all day long.. no fun.

I actually heard a similar thing at my pet store, but they made it seems like THEY (the store) are phasing out the tubes, not the company.

 

[gcn]

Thanks for the response. I'm going to replace my compact for a tube type. Until I get one I've moved the lamp from 6''s to 12''s and cut it on for only a couple of hrs daily. Dust my crickets daily, gut loading with Zilla gut load cricket & insect food (10 - 12 a day).

 

[ataraxia]

I would not use it at all. The animal will be fine a few days without uvb. If you are worried for the few days until you get the new bulb. Take him outside for some good ol' natural sunlight.

Glad you posted this as it has helped a few other at the same time. Good luck.