UVB Lighting

[Gemini061270]

Just curious I have always had my UVB lighting sitting on top of the cage, Just curious with a screen cage , I don't know how much UVB is cut down from the screen and the light passing through, but I am curious has or does anyone mount their uvb lighing inside the cage? I know I don't want my Cham getting burnt from a hot bulb or anything ... Just curious .

 

[bradley]

A certain percentage is lost through the screen. I no longer agree with 5.0 for rainforest animals and 10.0 for others. I use 12% T5 arcadia bulbs on mine. It ensures lots of uv gets through the mesh. I always recommend at least a 10.0 bulb with reflector if sitting above mesh to account for any lost through the mesh.

 

[Gemini061270]

What about mounting the bulb inside the enclosure, not recommended?

 

[scout83]

I use an 18" uvb 5.0 but I ha a 6'x4'x2' cage should I get something different

 

[Gemini061270]

Does anyone mount their UVB INSIDE their cage?

 

[scout83]

No mine is on top of the cage if you put it in the cage your Cham could get burnt or you could short it out when misting

 

[scout83]

I posted here earlier about my uvb light should I have something bigger for the size of my cage

 

[Olimpia]

I wouldn't hang a light fixture within reach of little nails or tongues. They make much better lights now, so you can make up for the loss of UVB getting through.

Scout, yes, you could get a 24" Reptisun 10.0 if you wanted to upgrade. Or if you really wanted to upgrade you could do the 6% Arcadia bulb (or 12%, given that your cage has plenty of plant cover to hide from it if the cham wanted to). I don't use anything less than the 10.0 either. And I would be using the Arcadia lights if mine weren't getting so much access to natural sunshine almost year-round, because those are way better bulbs.

 

[scout83]

10.0 is ok to use I heard you couldn't use it because it's much for them but I built a custom cage that a lot bigger I just want to make sure he's getting enough uvb can you send me a link or pictures of what I should use

 

[Olimpia]

Very few people still think the 10.0 is too much anymore. There are so many comparisons between the normal bulbs, with and without cage screen, with a UVB meter that it's clear that something like the Reptisun 10.0 is not excessive UVB output at all. Especially when the Arcadia bulbs put out twice as much or more UVB, and these are getting sisgnificantly more popular with good reason.

That said, any cage should have areas of heavy plant cover to create shade, so the animal can self regulate not just temperature but UVB exposure as well, regardless of what bulb you use. Even if you only had a 5.0, you never want them sitting in a bare cage with no way go get away from it.

 

[Seiryu]

100% agree with Olimpia. If you have a UV meter, you'll find that 5.0's most times barely give enough UVB through screen.

I use 10.0's or arcadia 6% with everything except baby raiser tubs (no screen).

 

[scout83]

Thanks I have plenty of cover for him I will upgrade to a 10.0 thanks everyone I was a little worried cause I built a custom cage much bigger then his old 24x24x48

 

[Big Gulp]

What gives off more UVB, the 10.0 ReptiSun or the 6% Arcadia?

I need to get a bulb/fixture for when my 24x24x48 cage comes. Any recommendations between the two? Also, I think somebody said they had a dual fixture from Arcadia? What other light do you put in there? Any pics you guys/gals can post of your Arcadia fixtures/lights?

Thanks!

 

[Big Gulp]

What gives off more UVB, the 10.0 ReptiSun or the 6% Arcadia?

I need to get a bulb/fixture for when my 24x24x48 cage comes. Any recommendations between the two? Also, I think somebody said they had a dual fixture from Arcadia? What other light do you put in there? Any pics you guys/gals can post of your Arcadia fixtures/lights?

Thanks!

Anybody?

And for those who use the Arcadia's, what combo do you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[scout83]

I actually got the zoo med high output it's awesome and it light of my cage better the t8 gave a blue tint and wasn't very bright

 

[Olimpia]

The 6% is stronger, I believe.