What Is your Lighting Set- up

[Yoda]

Dom/Tesa


What set up do you use?

I am getting to the point
with Yoda's Lair( new enclosure ) where I need to
know exactly what lighting I will be using.

I will be going with 2 balasts

each ballast will have 2 bulbs. so (4 x reptisun 5.0)

I am just way too undecided on the basking bulbs .
for heat...

I am installing a 2 ceramic sockets for the addition of ceramic heat elements when required)

I really want the lighting in the habitat to be absolutly the best I can afford.

Any pointers ?


James -Yoda

[Tesa]

You already have the "important" lights. Standard household bulbs work fine for heat....especially if you have CHE's in there as well.
You can buy reptile lights that are designed to enhance Yoda's color, (or rather your perception of it) but they aren't important.
Aside from her UVB...I just use 100 Watt regular household bulb along with a 75 watt red bulb for basking.....and a CHE for night.
simple

[Yoda]

Thanks Tesa


Thats great news ,... I will just use the regular bulbs ...and save a small fortune ...some of the bulbs I have been looking at are quite expensive . I will be able to use that saved money on other areas .


As far as using lighting to make Yoda look better.

I am not realy a big fan of "make-up" I kind of perfer to know the actual colour as I see him... and my hopes are to eventualy have Yoda free roaming for the most part so time in the enclosure will be mostly to sleep and recieve UVB that he wont be getting in the winter months from natural Sunlight.

It is too cold from the end of October till around April to have him recieve any unfiltered Sun where I live so this is lighting thing is extremley important to me . If I put him near a open window tonight he would be a Igsicle in 2 seconds ......Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


Thank You,


James and Yoda

[Tesa]

Sounds like the weather pattern here is the same as yours. I'm anxious about UVB for Thrasher this winter.
When I rescued her in March, she was in pretty bad shape. Have spent these last few months getting her healthy and I REALLY don't want to lose anything I've gained so far.

It is possible to replace a regular window pane with one made from Greenhouse Glass (which UVB is able to penetrate)
I've been toying with that idea for awhile. Maybe I can justify the money spent by comparing it to buying a bulb that never has to be replaced. ;D

[Yoda]

Oh no...

really ...now you got me thinking of replacing my Kitchen window...If i was shure the little bugger could get some UV through the winter months( more than lighting will provide ) I would do it in a heartbeat.....Hmmmmm


Let me know what ya find out?


Thanks James -Yoda

[dominick]

Hi James-

Tesa is the Lighting expert. She talks in terms that can boggle the mind! ;D

I think the Greenhouse glass is a great alternative to pure artificial UVB lighting. If you have a window that Yoda will sit in, maybe make him a mobile basking stand for it, then viola! You've got it made in the ....um sun!

Sounds like you take such great care of that little guy. Can't wait to see him thrive and grow faster than you can measure him!

Great Job!

[SurvivorSteph]

If you decide to put in greenhouse glass, it's best to do it away from carpet, drapes, and furniture.

Part of why our window glass filters the UVB rays is to protect these things from being utterly destroyed by the sun. Anything that unfiltered light shines on will fade and deteriorate quickly.

[Yoda]

Thanks Dom


To give credit where credit is due ....


I would not be dooing such a great job if it wasnt for people like Tesa and you...



This site has really started to grow and I am exited about seeing ..new members join as well as the care and genuine concern that seems to surround this forum....


Yoda is growing already ...right before my Eyes...

I am working on Yoda's Lair(new enclosure) as quickly as I can and have given myself a deadline of December 1st.


James -Yoda

[Tesa]

I'm glad you said that Steph!!
SOMEONE should have when she first mentioned it! ;D

[Tesa]

James Thankyou, but the real credit goes to people like you who are putting forth the effort to learn about their babies. I'm glad to be able to help!!

[dominick]

Hi Steph-

Thanks for the reply. You are 100% correct and aside from Tesa (who's always so hard on herself), I should have mentioned it too! See, that's why forums are so great and helpful!

James- Ditto Tesa, we can "preach" all we want, but if the owner doesn't buy in to the preaching, it's useless. It's YOU who are doing a great job by seeking out info to provide your Ig with the best possible captive environment. But, thanks, it really helps when folks listen and interact. The proof is in the growth you are seeing Yoda go through. It can only provide a lifetime of health and happiness for the Iguana, and heart-warming satisfaction and love for you.

It's great to see the "Zone" grow into a nice interactive family. It makes all the work Tesa does on this site very gratifying, and I'm glad to be a part of it all.

[SurvivorSteph]

Tesa.

[WillemsMom]

Good One, Steph!

And here's a little piece of lighting info. At the moment I'm using one of the spiral fluorescent bulbs (20 watts) anything less is a waste. And it is CHEAP! (maybe $15-16) The one I use is for reptiles and at 7-8 inches it emits 77, more or less and the heat on Will's log is 97. I heat his enclosure using incandescent 100 Watts bulbs. Sometimes he basks on the top of his cave so I have put a 160 powersun over it.maybe 24". I forgot the emmission of rays on that as he rarely is on it for more than a few minutes.

I'm pleased with balance I have now in his tank.

James, the packaging for the coil lamp says....Super-UV Coil-Lamp. ESU Reptile. (Energy Saving Unlimited)
Oooops the price is $24.99, but still relatively inexensive.

[SurvivorSteph]

Do those spiral bulbs screw into a regular socket? I was looking at the burned out one in my office and thought, 'it would be cool if they had these for Gil.'

Ask and it shall be given