YES! There are so many factors that go into picking out the correct UVB. What works for one keeper, may not work for another. If you don't have a solar meter, the best thing you can do is duplicate the same environment as someone who does and try to avoid blindly following a care sheet. If we can understand the WHY, we can start to see the bigger picture. Thanks for the great info :)
The one thing through most arguments no one seems to take into account is, in the wild, how thick is the canopy they live in? No one ever refers to the true nature of it all.
I unexpectedly rescued a gravid veiled chameleon from a dark future and having some knowledge about what to expect I have still been overwhelmed with the concept of lighting and getting it right… until now. I will do all that I can to provide the best for her and I feel like this was the missing piece, especially after reading your charts. I too thought it was remiss to dismiss the cfl that so many people so often do but it makes sense why they put them in those kits for baby chameleons- I suspected this much but your research was my confirmation. I do have a Arcadia T5 and have been hesitant to use it on the smaller enclosure because of the distance variables - her new larger enclosure will arrive in the mail soon. Again, I was right to be suspicious of how much uvb she would be getting given her current enclosure. Thank you for your commitment and research and for educating the public with your findings. My little Taina thanks you too ♥️
Natural unfiltered sunlight is the best possible light you can use. Just make sure they have thick foliage so they can get out of the light if they choose.
Side note- I’m no expert on this by any means, but I am aware and willing to share that most of your important rays emitted from the sun, (uvb being the main one here) are inevitably filtered by glass, so keep that in mind :) I love the idea of natural light as well.
It all depends on what you are looking for. As much as I love chameleons, I, honestly, have to say they are a lot of work and are best for people who can't be convinced to work with another reptile. There is a respectable amount of up front costs and time commitment so I recommend chameleons only for people who refuse to go away. :)
Hello I have a 2x2x4 zen enclosure the mech on top is metallic and I wan to place the light directly on top I’m. Concern that I’ll get to much light reduction with the metallic mech, please advice me which Arcadia 6% or 12
Yes, the Dragon Ledges are designed to be mounted to a Reptibreeze cage. You attach them to the frame with screws just like you do with misting nozzle mounts.
Depends on the species. The real danger time is summer with the very hot temperatures. Chameleons deal with cold much better than excessive heat. But I am in Southern California where it very rarely gets into the 30s at night so my definition of cold is different from everyone else’s.
@@ChameleonAcademy Hey thanks for the reply and yea I've seen your other video where you show your chameleons outside I'm S.Cali too & it's a veiled.. also what would be a dangerous temperature at night.. thank you.
@@BartBasquiato for Veileds I would start bringing them in when it gets into the lower 40s. But this requires that the day is sunny and he can warm himself up.
@@ChameleonAcademy so where you have your chams the sun hits them all day long & they have their plants to cool down or just a certain time of day (morning-midday) the sun hits them
@@BartBasquiato they are in cages that have wheels so I move them to the best place that gets the amount of sun they need. In winter they get sun all day. In summer they only get sun in the morning.
YES! There are so many factors that go into picking out the correct UVB. What works for one keeper, may not work for another. If you don't have a solar meter, the best thing you can do is duplicate the same environment as someone who does and try to avoid blindly following a care sheet. If we can understand the WHY, we can start to see the bigger picture. Thanks for the great info :)
Prior to watching this video, I've been confused with UVB lighting for a long time. Thank you so much for this excellent explanation!
Wow Pete this is such an interesting topic I love it.😃👍
You are awesome!
Thank you for being you!
The one thing through most arguments no one seems to take into account is, in the wild, how thick is the canopy they live in? No one ever refers to the true nature of it all.
That is actually the reason why we have such a low UVB that we use as opposed to using UVI 13 which would be the afternoon levels.
I unexpectedly rescued a gravid veiled chameleon from a dark future and having some knowledge about what to expect I have still been overwhelmed with the concept of lighting and getting it right… until now. I will do all that I can to provide the best for her and I feel like this was the missing piece, especially after reading your charts. I too thought it was remiss to dismiss the cfl that so many people so often do but it makes sense why they put them in those kits for baby chameleons- I suspected this much but your research was my confirmation. I do have a Arcadia T5 and have been hesitant to use it on the smaller enclosure because of the distance variables - her new larger enclosure will arrive in the mail soon. Again, I was right to be suspicious of how much uvb she would be getting given her current enclosure.
Thank you for your commitment and research and for educating the public with your findings. My little Taina thanks you too ♥️
You and Taina are very welcome! I am glad you found this channel!
how about natural light /? natural sunlight at afternoon before sunset,,,, am in an area where its impossible to buy these lamps ... or measuring tool
Natural unfiltered sunlight is the best possible light you can use. Just make sure they have thick foliage so they can get out of the light if they choose.
Side note- I’m no expert on this by any means, but I am aware and willing to share that most of your important rays emitted from the sun, (uvb being the main one here) are inevitably filtered by glass, so keep that in mind :) I love the idea of natural light as well.
I’ve had newts in the past as a kid. It’s been a while can you recommend some suggestions/best species?
It all depends on what you are looking for. As much as I love chameleons, I, honestly, have to say they are a lot of work and are best for people who can't be convinced to work with another reptile. There is a respectable amount of up front costs and time commitment so I recommend chameleons only for people who refuse to go away. :)
Hello I have a 2x2x4 zen enclosure the mech on top is metallic and I wan to place the light directly on top I’m. Concern that I’ll get to much light reduction with the metallic mech, please advice me which Arcadia 6% or 12
So useful! Questions: is it easy to attach dragon strands to a reptibreeze cage? thanks in advance!
Yes, the Dragon Ledges are designed to be mounted to a Reptibreeze cage. You attach them to the frame with screws just like you do with misting nozzle mounts.
What months do you keep your chameleons outside?
Depends on the species. The real danger time is summer with the very hot temperatures. Chameleons deal with cold much better than excessive heat. But I am in Southern California where it very rarely gets into the 30s at night so my definition of cold is different from everyone else’s.
@@ChameleonAcademy Hey thanks for the reply and yea I've seen your other video where you show your chameleons outside I'm S.Cali too & it's a veiled.. also what would be a dangerous temperature at night.. thank you.
@@BartBasquiato for Veileds I would start bringing them in when it gets into the lower 40s. But this requires that the day is sunny and he can warm himself up.
@@ChameleonAcademy so where you have your chams the sun hits them all day long & they have their plants to cool down or just a certain time of day (morning-midday) the sun hits them
@@BartBasquiato they are in cages that have wheels so I move them to the best place that gets the amount of sun they need. In winter they get sun all day. In summer they only get sun in the morning.