Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

I used to have a 36"x18"x18" for Dexter (9 months old) and I just upgraded to a 48"x24"x24" screen cage.

I also used to use a ESU 20" (18" 5.0 reptisun bulb).

Now with this bigger cage I want to use a 24" 10.0 reptisun bulb to get more UVA/UVA into the area.

I want to ask you guys what kind of fixtures you use that will hold a 24" bulb but won't hang over the sides of my cage a whole bunch. I've been to Home Depot and they didn't help me worth a squat.

Is there a fixture out there that will hold a 24" reptisun but won't overhang my 24" wide cage by more than a few inches on either side?

Should I just use a 18" bulb still even with this bigger cage?

You guys recommend 10.0 reptisuns over the 5.0's, right ?

ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS WANTED! THANKS!
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1.0 Baby Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

I know a lot of you like using big box store shop fixtures for your UV lights, but I have never had much luck with them. Some of the cheaper fixtures don't have heavy enough ballasts for the Reptisuns and they just don't last very long. I finally started using aquarium hood fixtures and found they are pretty bomb proof. They also come in many lengths and you have options for 1 or 2 bulbs. Yes they are more expensive, but you'll probably have the thing forever. Also, the sides of the fixture extend down past the bulbs a bit farther so you can rest it right in the cage frame. Many have reflectors too. Check with aquarium supplies for a 24" fixture. I usually use a double tube, and put one "new" Reptisun and one used one, mark the dates on the fixture, and cycle them.

Hmm..The aquarium hood I have now is 24" long but it only takes a 28" bulb..and it seems kinda puny for my giant screen cage.

Does anyone know where I can find an aquarium hood or whatever that will fit a 24" bulb, but won't be longer than 26" or so ?
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1.0 Baby Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

For that big a cage I would use a 48" fixture. You can place branches strategically in the upper part of the cage so the cham gets its UV while basking. Also, to provide general lighting in the lower part of the cage for plants etc., I often put a simple single ordinary or grow lite fluorescent vertically along one side of the cage. A simple fixture that faces into the cage from the front doesn't block the view and doesn't look too messy. It makes a big difference and the cham will tend to use more of the cage.

Use a Corded Ballast System. I found mine in the fish department of a petstore. They can use one or two bulbs, of any length and any size (T8 T10 T12). It has a box where the ballast and wires meet and two wires that are each about 4fee that go to either side of the bulb that attach with a little cap. Then the box part plugs into the wall.

They have an automatc starter aswell.

If you Really need a photo I will take one, but they are set up and since its just wires, they are hidden. So I would have to take it off.

You can kind of see it here. I had this sitting on top for a day... only a day. Obviously it wasnt meant to be long term since its a 48" bulb. But as you can see, the bulb is free, nothing covering it. Only two cords running to each end.

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Hmmm, that's interesting.

Are you guys basically telling me I won't be able to find a fixture that fits a 24" bulb and is only slightly longer than that ?
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1.0 Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

Most likely not.

Though I did, give you an alternative.
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yup, I'm going to go check it, thanks. I'm still not too certain what it will look like though =P

So nothing is protecting the bulb or connections?
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1.0 Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

There is rubbey caps with wires going to either end of the tube. But no, there is noting surrounding the bulb. You could make something for it, a folded peice of sheet metal.

See the image below.
I use this one inside a large 49" (interior) bearded dragon enclosure.

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Hey,

OK, here is what you do. Go to LLLreptile.com, reptiledepot.com or bigappleherp.com, and simply buy whatever size hood you need!!! If I am not mistaking, the 18" bulb fits the 24" hood, and the 24" bulb fits the 26" hood. I am not positive on that, but when you call up to order, just ask them, and they should know. As for bulbs, I have no idea what bulb Will has in his pic, but I use the reptisun 5.0. I have never tried the 10.0, so I cannot reccommend it. However they seem to last longer, and shoot uvb out a greater distance, from what I know. I have not seen too many enclosures with lighting on the side. The general idea, is to create a gradient within your chameleons micro-enviorment. The spot closest to the bulb should be upper 90's, and he should have a spot in the low 80's or 70's if possible. However, the fluorescents don't generate much heat, so putting them on the side would not affect the gradient.

Now, this should save you alot of headaches....

Since you have a big enough cage, you can buy an all-in-one bulb. A Zoo-med Powersun bulb. You will probably need a 100wt. This bulb will supply all the necessary heat, uva, and uvb, all in one bulb. BE SURE TO BUY A CERAMIC FIXTURE TO HOLD THE BULB. Do not go to home depot and buy some piece of crap fixture to hold this bulb. It is worth it to spend the extra few bucks and get the ceramic 10" fixture. It gets VERY hot.

Anyway, I think that was all of your questions answered(let me know if I left something out). Have a good day.

Ank-Inc.
Adam.

Ding ding ding, Adam gets the prize if he is right about the 26" fixtures from LLLreptile or reptiledpot holding a 24" bulb!

Naw, jk....Thanks to EVERYONE who offered their opinions! This thread just shows how creative you can really be with your reptiles! There is always more than one way to do something

/me off to call reptiledepot and ask about the 26"ers!
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1.0 Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

I'm sure we've all had different experiences, so I'll post mine.

I've used the cheap 48" Home Depot and Lowes fixtures for some time. The first one I bought over 6 years ago, and it's still running, 12 hours a day, every day, never had a problem. Others I've had for 3-4 years, never had a problem. I have use d2 reptisuns, or 1 reptisun and a day light bulb in each.

I paid $7.99 for each one.

Now, they are cheap pieces of disposable garbage compared to "real" shoplights, with replacable ballasts. they bend and flex if moved, they don't hold the bulbs in well.

But They work for me - I've got 6 of them total.

Yah..I know a lot of you have "reptile rooms," but I'm a college student and I have limited space...so my setup needs to look as nice as possible. I just sent a silver screen cage back because I ordered a black one, and YES that matters to me cause it matches everything in my room! =]

Anyway, the shortest hood I've found that takes a 24" bulb is a 30"...so I'll probably go with that. Hopefully 3" of overhang on each side won't be too bad..or better yet I could have the light be more diagonal and eliminte overhang...
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1.0 Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

No, that'll be uglier than a few inches of overhang. The silver ones are
much better if you don't mind them being ugly as sin. They have no paint
to scratch, so they always look the same. The black ones are much
nicer looking, that's why I've used black frame and screen.

Too bad zoomed doesn't make a 10.0 compact flourescent bulb. CF's
are really cool ,and take up less space. I hate having all these 48" fixtures
all over the tops of my cages....

I also use the cheap home depot floresent fixtures and then make my own hood from a piece of aluminum rain gutter. very easy to do, just pop rivet the fixture inside the gutter and rivet on two endcaps.i am sure that your 24" bulb will fit into a 25"or 26" piece of gutter.

scott
ps.... it looks great, cost next to nothing and can be put together in a college dorm with nothing more than a drill, a riveter and a handsaw