UVB lighting

[katierongen]

I have a baby chameleon in a medium sized cage. Every time I go to the reptile store by my house they tell me I'm killing her because I don't have the long UVB bulb, I have the spiral compact. I have called multiple other reptile stores & they all use the spiral like I have. any comments or input? please no rude comments telling me I don't know what I'm doing.. cause she's fine & in great health.

 

[carol5208]

You can use the spiral as long as it is the correct one like a 5.0. Most people like to use the linear as they cover more area and light up the cage better. Many, many years ago Zilla put out a spiral that was blinding reptiles, but that has long since been rectified. There is a stigma about the bulbs because of this. No one is going to tell you you don't know what you are doing, but if you are just starting out, you have alot to learn. I have been a member on here for over 5 solid years and I still learn new things all of the time.

 

[katierongen]

I'm not new at this I've had other chameleons before & they've all been perfect. this is just the first I had heard of this & it was frustrating cause they blatantly said I was killing her. I know I have the right bulb for her but It worries me since they said it would kill her. she has everything she needs & is a happy girl

 

[junglefries]

I first used the spiral compacts. Upon switching to the linears, no comparision. I will never go back to the spiral compact, not even in a pinch. They may very well work for a small pygmy species or for someone living in FL or CA, whose chams are outdoors 90% of the time. They just don't cover enough ground.