>>My PowerSun (100watt) says it "gives off no more UV-A and UV-B than is prsent from the noonday sun in the shade".

>>

>>And if I'm reading this little chart right it gives off about 1 spectral radiance of UVB and 12 spectral radiances of UVA.

>>However, I have no idea what that means.

>>-----

>>~Melissa

>>1.0 Ambanja Panther (Diesel)

>>0.1 African Hegdehog (Kaimah)



According to Ferguson, prolonged exposure to intense high radience lighting can decrease the longevity of chams (discussed here www.chameleonnews.com/lighting1.html and here www.martinsreptiles.co.uk/ukchams/typesoflighting.htm#mercuryvapour). MV bulbs do not allow for the chameleon to escape UV radience and force prolonged high levels of exposure. I personally only use them in the largest of my enclosures (7' x 6' x 3ish') arranged so that a significant UV gradient is provided. It is important to provide such gradients in both lighting, temperature and humidity (www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/nov2002/gradients/gradients.html). Flourescent bulbs, in not being able to radiate light the entire cage height in smaller enclosures provide such a gradient vertically. In my large enclosures, by placing the MV bulb on one side of the cage, I create a gradient in the horizontal plane and make sure that the animal is able to get sufficient UV exposure which would be difficult in a cage this size under a short radience distance of flourescenct UV lighting.



Oz, sorry to hear about your troubles with this company, can't say I expected much less however. Glad you decided to be cautious about getting an animal from them!



Chris
-----
Chris Anderson

parsonii_hoehnelii@hotmail.com

Editor - Chameleons! Online E-zine: http://www.chameleonnews.com/

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