Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I just got a new cage for my male panther and its nice and big. He out grew his other one and really needed some space. I am looking into lighting methods for his new cage which is probably 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall. From what I have read, uv strip lights will only penetrate about 1 foot down. Does anybody use active uv heat bulb or powersun or equivelent (which combines heat and uv)? Does a cage this tall need something more than a strip? And is this size appropriate for an active uv heat light? If anyone uses or have used these types of lights I'd like to know your experience, and what type/wattage of lamps should be used in a cage approximately 4 feet tall by 2.5 wide? Thankyou

I have my male panther in a similar sized cage(a little smaller) and I recently switched to a mercury vapor active uv light. It's a 160 watt, I have it hanging from the ceiling over the cage with chain(about 4 inches above). The chain allowed me to adjust the distance of the bulb from the cage, and I checked the basking temp with a temp gun. It gets pretty hot and they say it should not touch the top of the cage.So far I like it, my chams appetite has increased and he is more active, also his colors look a little better. As far as you NEEDING something more than a strip for this sized cage, I would say no as long as your chams basking spot is within that 12-18" range of a flouresent. I know alot of experienced keepers rely on flouresent for uva/b. The only downside I've noticed so far is that it's really bright, when I'm feeding, observing etc.., It hurts my eyes if I look at it, and it's kinda hard to not look at it some of the time. good luck.

I have the same setup for my veiled..
I use a 120w flood lamp hanging from the ceiling at height apropriate to reach the basking spot 30C.The basking perch is 4in below the top screen.When the cham basks on the flood the flouresence is exactly on top of him.Simple and very effective.A lot have been said about MV's so I wouldn't risk it especially the 160w ones