Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey forum!

I've tried a few different options for lighting with my Collared lizards. My favorite thus far is the active UV heat bulb for convenience sake...its all in one, and self ballasted. Gives me heat, UVA and UVB in a safe amount and the lizards i've kept with them of years now seem to do very well in terms of health, color, and feeding.

I've recently started using a new light form (expensive) that is popular in Europe...Metal Halide full spectrum. I am using a 250 watt set up, with external ballast for my panther chameleons. They are babies so this is a critical growth stage for them. It seems to be working very well. I wouldn't mind using if for the Collareds but it would take some customization on the cages.

I'm not a real big fan of using flourescents and incandescents because they are such a hassle to set up, and I like the lizards to be clear about where to bask and get warmed up.

Obviosly if I lived in AZ I'd build a nice outdoor enclosure as I think that would be the best option for them.

I'm curious what others are doing, and how its working? I'm guessing this is a fairly old topic and has been bantered around before, but seems like a good one to re-visit, especially since we have newbies around.

The ulitmate goal for all of us collared lizard afficionados should be to keep them healthy and get them to reproduce consistently so we can establish healthy CB populations. In my opinion, lighting is a critical factor in both of these goals. Any other opinions out there?

Also, where can I buy the newer UV-heat bulbs that T-rex apparently puts out which appear to be smaller, and could fit into a standard dome reflector light?

Thanks,

Jason

hey jason

i don't know much about the subject of lights. i have two full spectrums and one florescent and in the afternoon the sun hits their cage, it is a screencage and it is sitting next to a screendoor so i think some real sunlight gets to them daily. they crack me up though because even though i turn their lights on, they still know when it is a cloudy day outside and they are sooooooo lazy on those days. i love to watch them basking though, they just look so happy, getting little lizard suntans ha ha!
anyway, what is the difference of the UVA/UVB only lights that you said you recently liked (sorry i don't really remember the term you used) and the full spectrums and do you think i should look into getting one of each.
thanks!
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

For my cage, I only have three fixtures. One of mine is 165 watt UV heat bulb, like you were talking about. This bulb was purchased at a local reptile show and is a very nice convenience because no other lights are needed. My other two are there to insure my collareds habitat is perfect. My other one is a long uv bulb, to light up the rest of my cage, not needed. My third is a red 100 watt just to keep them warm at night. All of these are connected to a timer, purchased at a hardware store, so my hands are free all day. With these lights, it keeps the clutter of my cage, making me and my collareds happy.
Collaredkeeper

what are your 2 full spectrum tube?
most "said" full spectrum aren't giving UVs at all...

When Dexter was sick, my vet, Dr. Horton at Chicago Exotics, recommended Mercury Vapor lights... it is what she uses and other reptile hospitals use. It is called PowerSun from ZooMed and is 160 watts... it is full spectrum UVA & UVB. It is the only light you need. However, I also kept my basking light for Dexter as well b/c you know collareds like it hot!

I have really noticed a difference since I got the light... he seems happy and just sits and basks under it...

They are not cheap and places like PetSmart do not carry them. However, go on line and save a lot of money... they retail for about $70, but I got mine for $35 from www.petguys.com That is the average online price for them.

I highly recommend it. Plus, you only have to replace like once a year....

Peace.

JIM