WHICH STRENGTH OF UVB LIGHT?
- Thread starter lthrbecks
- Start date
I am not sure what you are looking at but T5 fixtures do not have bulbs in those wattage's. UVB needs to be a T5HO fixture and bulb should be a 5.0 zoomed or 6% arcadia UVB bulb then basking should be 9 inches below with the fixture sitting directly on the top of the cage.
Those are the wrong kind of bulbs. Those are compact bulbs and do not produce and push the light in the way a T5HO fixture does. They literally have to be sitting right below that bulb within inches of it. This video will help explain the differences. But you want a T5ho fixture with a 5.0 or 6% UVB bulb.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree; those bulbs are crap for chameleons. Go with a T5, either 5.0 or 6%
You CAN NOT use this canopy though... Not for a chameleon. IT is the incorrect UVB lighting. Chameleons under compact UVB bulbs develop MBD.
Ok I give up....
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
@lthrbecks did you watch that video that @Beman provided? It can’t be explained any simpler than that. The coil bulbs aren’t able to provide adequate uvb levels unless your chameleon is sitting 2-3 inches away and directly beneath it. Both Exo Terra and your reptile shop want to sell you things. All the forum wants is for your chameleon to have proper husbandry and be healthy.
lthrbecks
Established Member
Sorry for bothering you again.
I've spent a lot of time researching T5 lights. I think what was confusing me, was the fact my exo terra hood has two light fittings. One for uvb and one for general viewing of the viv.
The attached fitting has only one, I'm assuming it's a dual purpose providing adequate uvb and viewing? With me owning an exo terra viv, do I just set this new unit on top, ie on the mesh lid. I've attached a photo to keep me right.
Thank you so much for your advice. I want the best for my wee Hammy!
I've spent a lot of time researching T5 lights. I think what was confusing me, was the fact my exo terra hood has two light fittings. One for uvb and one for general viewing of the viv.
The attached fitting has only one, I'm assuming it's a dual purpose providing adequate uvb and viewing? With me owning an exo terra viv, do I just set this new unit on top, ie on the mesh lid. I've attached a photo to keep me right.
Thank you so much for your advice. I want the best for my wee Hammy!
Attachments
CrisBruns
Established Member
That unit is pretty short. What size is your enclosure? You want a unit that is close to the length of the enclosure. It will also give general viewing lighting as you say but does not provide a basking spot. You can use a regular incandescent bulb for a basking bulb in a clip on type workshop light.
Something like this dual fixture might be more appropriate (but it does not provide basking, just UVB and general lighting)
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24...-arcadia-6-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/
Something like this dual fixture might be more appropriate (but it does not provide basking, just UVB and general lighting)
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24...-arcadia-6-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/
lthrbecks
Established Member
Hi there and thanks for the message.
I've a canopy with 2 bulbs, one for uvb and a general fluorescent bulb for viewing. I've a ceramic heat lamp too, it hangs above the mesh lid. My viv is 30w 30d 45h
Im baffled completely by the responses, as in I've read lots about a T5 light and desert or rain forest bulb. I can't see any light that's 30w there's a 36w so, if I bought it, I'd have to place it as a diagonal. I just want the best option for Hammy my juvenile chameleon.
Thank you so much for any help you can give me.
I've a canopy with 2 bulbs, one for uvb and a general fluorescent bulb for viewing. I've a ceramic heat lamp too, it hangs above the mesh lid. My viv is 30w 30d 45h
Im baffled completely by the responses, as in I've read lots about a T5 light and desert or rain forest bulb. I can't see any light that's 30w there's a 36w so, if I bought it, I'd have to place it as a diagonal. I just want the best option for Hammy my juvenile chameleon.
Thank you so much for any help you can give me.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
This is what you need. A linear T5HO fixture with a 5.0 uvb bulb. Can’t say it any simpler. https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-2605...6&sr=1-2-70f7c15d-07d8-466a-b325-4be35d7258cc
CrisBruns
Established Member
Aha-the metric system! So, your enclosure is 17"wide, 17" deep and 24" tall if my conversion is correct. Your cham is a veiled that is male or female and is how old? Sorry if I missed that in another post. Regardless, you are going to need to upgrade the enclosure to a bigger size like 2’ x 2’ x 4’ (61 cm x 61cm by 121.9cm) minimum for a male. I would redirect your cash toward getting a bigger enclosure and outfitting it with the appropriate size UVB t5 linear unit rather than buying something for the smaller enclosure that your cham is going to outgrow super fast (and may have outgrown already to be honest). I know lots of folks on this forum really love the dragon strand enclosures.
https://chameleonacademy.com is a great resource for all sorts of things and has some really nice photos on how an enclosure should look.
Happy to try to answer any more questions if I can. If not-well that's why there's a forum!
https://chameleonacademy.com is a great resource for all sorts of things and has some really nice photos on how an enclosure should look.
Happy to try to answer any more questions if I can. If not-well that's why there's a forum!
lthrbecks
Established Member
Hi
Yeah Mr Metric ? it's annoying as Americans go by fahrenheit instead of celsius! I've always to backtrack to work it out ?
To be be honest, ive just modified my tank to a bioactive vivarium! Took all the soil out and added Hydro Drain substrate and cleaning crew! Bought lots of foliage too. My chameleon is still small, he's around 4 months, at a guess. I'm going to send you how my viv looks along with pics of Hammy.
I received two red eyed tree frogs today to join the one I already had. I'm only using led lights and now I'm reading he too needs uvb light! I was told the led are ok as he is nocturnal. Would you know anything about frogs ?
Loo
Yeah Mr Metric ? it's annoying as Americans go by fahrenheit instead of celsius! I've always to backtrack to work it out ?
To be be honest, ive just modified my tank to a bioactive vivarium! Took all the soil out and added Hydro Drain substrate and cleaning crew! Bought lots of foliage too. My chameleon is still small, he's around 4 months, at a guess. I'm going to send you how my viv looks along with pics of Hammy.
I received two red eyed tree frogs today to join the one I already had. I'm only using led lights and now I'm reading he too needs uvb light! I was told the led are ok as he is nocturnal. Would you know anything about frogs ?
Loo
