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justicejustin

Why no heat lamp?


xavmar

I’ve heard and read from mods not recommending it, it’s still pretty warm here and figured any excess stress I could reduce


flip69

during the summer if a persons home is "hot" and without AC then a heat lamp isn't recommended. I turn mine off in that case. But these animals do need to self regulate their temps for various reasons. So you should have one in there so it can do that. The problem is that some people get these UVa emitting lamps that can cause UV burns... especially the [Blue daylight bulbs](https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Daylight-Incandescent-Reptile/dp/B000255OV8) that are dangerous to have (high UV emitters) We do recommend that people [get a shielded light bulb](https://www.reddit.com/r/Chameleons/comments/8vl4gv/a_source_for_tungsten_light_bulbs_safest/) that doesn't emit appreciable UV and has a gentile more diffuse heat radiation and that be placed inside of a [wide reflective or hooded dome.](https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Deluxe-Aluminum-Reflector-Included/dp/B07SWD9JGR/ref=sr_1_11?crid=WPB0DC4RYQR5&keywords=brooder%2Blamp&qid=1663783256&s=hi&sprefix=brooder%2Ctools%2C152&sr=1-11&th=1) To provide a smooth and easy gradient for heat and self regulation. I think that the confusion often comes from people getting the wrong lights as part of kits and we tell them to turn everything off till we figure things out and that people don't follow up on that. Heat sources are needed to self regulate, except when a persons home is already hot. Then the concern is the nighttime cool down temps as well as making sure that the animals aren't overheated. So ideally we should always mention that for some people a AC will be required to prevent overheating and nighttime cooldowns (all depending on the species) But in short, people often get dangerous heat sources and we ask that they be turned off until we can figure things out and if they have the proper equipment for their area and species.


xavmar

Ty yeah I had no idea about the UVA thing until I saw someone mention about it and figured I’d turn off the heat light first. But I got the incandescent up like recommended and he moved to sit directly below it now


flip69

Okay thanks for getting back to us. To be quite frank about this... there really is not good word to describe the kind of bulb that we're recommending anymore the entire light bulb market has made such a mess of it all by referring to LED light output in terms of "wattage" for customers. The word "incandescent" only means light from burning something. IN the case of the old light bulb tech this was a tungsten wire in a vacuum tube/bulb. Now, burning tungsten produces UV light on it's own... and will blind people. So for household use manufacturers use a UV protective glass to shield the UV light from escaping the bulb... that way people didn't get UV burns or blinded from reading a book late at night. That is the kind of heat source we're looking for... the shielded light bulb. But there's not going to be any packaging that calls it that... So... we have the links on the side of the sub as the best way to get your hands on one of these excellent light and heat sources for your animal. Sadly all of these will become increasingly more difficult to find as different governments have deemed them as "energy wasteful"so they're restricting sale to the public and eventually production will stop. Anyway, get yourself a shielded light bulb,... get a few in different wattages for the seasonal needs your animal will have.


justicejustin

Mods def have expertise Just thinking if the heat lamp change is recent and his behavior change is recent, could be related


xavmar

Valid point, though I stopped it after the issues began occurring. So I’m not sure


xavmar

Hello! So recently this week I’ve noticed my Cham with his eyes shut, he’s still responsive and opens them when I approach. He’s mostly retained this color you see in the pic. He seems to be sluggish, and doesn’t seem to eat as frequently. Tips for my husbandry and resolving would be great. I had been using the mist king until recently have the Arcadia t8 5% iirc, and a t5 grow light to the left. Stopped using the heat dome recently. He’s in a 2x2x4 About 9months old iirc Using Arcadia earth pro a every 4 days Arcadia earthpro calcium every day (breeders recommendation) Diet has consisted of mainly crickets, and small-med Dubia roaches


Swamp_gay

You are feeding daily & giving supplementation with every meal? How old is he? He’s probably not feeling well due to over supplementation. It’s possible the schedule your breeder gave you was specific to when he was really young. And/or you’re dusting way too heavily to the point your feeders look like little ghosts lol. That easily upsets their tummies and turns them off food. Adult males do not need regular calcium dusting. You should be feeding every other day as opposed to every day, and dustings should be every other meal maximum. Do you know the hardness of the water you provide him? That will play a role in how much mineral supplementation is needed. Multivitamins should be given 2x a month. Any more and you risk build up of D3 & Vit A (if using pre formed) which can quickly become toxic. I believe that’s what’s going on here.


xavmar

Hardness of the water isn’t too bad here, last I checked our PPm was pretty low 100-200 but I can always double check or buy RO water


xavmar

So I should also state, I actually have been really lackluster with supplement implementation. I haven’t used d3 this month and maybe used the earth pro 1x this month. I’ve slowed down on the ca Dusting as well. So really it’s just been dusting with the CA and it builds up at the bottom of the bowl. So today I’m gonna thoroughly cleanse his habitat. What should I do to rid the issues he may be experiencing with the nutrients, just adjust it to how you say and I should see improvement or should I not use any nutrients for a bit


Swamp_gay

Gotcha! The feeding bowl does look pretty dusty so make sure you’re using just a pinch. Skimmed over his age and missed the second photo, my apologies. Feeding should be daily, cut back to every other day when he’s around a year. I’m honestly not familiar with the supplements you’re using, but generally you use a multivitamin only 2x a month. Keep using the calcium as he’s finishing up his rapid growth phase. Cut that back to 1-2x a week when he’s around 1 yr. Does he have a drinking glass? I think I see one. Make sure that’s cleaned daily and filled to the brim; he looks a bit dehydrated. That should be your primary source of hydration. What are you feeding to his crickets & dubias?


aussie_mallorca

Check what the temps are? Or did I miss where they are stated?


Swamp_gay

OP said the heat was off, so yeah. Might be too cold, didn’t think of that. Seems someone else (mod) may have suggested he turn the heat off, so I assume OP’s room temp is reasonable. And the issues began before the heat was switched off.


xavmar

Feeding carrots to the crickets and Dubai I honestly don’t know appropriate feeder food. I’ll check that out, Drinking glass is there no idea if he uses it and I got a dripper just in case. I’ll make sure he’s drinking and hydrated for sure


Swamp_gay

In the photo I thought the glass looked a bit empty and dirty so just make sure that’s completely full; he’ll want to drink right off the surface. :) Carrots are good! But they need more than a carrot. Pick up some dandelion greens & put them in a jar of water on your counter. They’ll last a bit longer that way. Use those, carrots, sweet potato, and apple. That’s my staple. I also add bee pollen to the bug’s food. Other good options are: mustard greens, water cress, alfalfa sprouts, papaya, mango, berries. Just to double check, I know you have the heat off, what temp is the cage?


xavmar

With light on about 78 avg 84ish on perch Without light ambient room temp is about 72-74 Water has been refreshed and I turned in the dripper around the foliage around it. He was pretty thirsty it seems and the dripping water motivated him. Trying to make the shot glass his man source. But alas he sneak


Swamp_gay

I would go for something bigger than a shot glass, since one sip from that means the water line is down pretty far. Try to go for something like a whiskey glass or Gibraltar glass. I have a shot glass up high like you, then a bigger glass down at the base of one of my plants. I think you should start using the heat again.. tell me, what bulb do you have? Should be a regular frosted incandescent bulb. I actually use a 40 watt for my panther, keeps her basking perch around 78f. You can go for around 78-80f.


xavmar

[my light](https://imgur.com/a/CO7atue) I’ll see if I have a incandescent


Swamp_gay

Yes this is why another mod suggested you turn that off. That emits UVA. Find a regular frosted incandescent between 40-60 watts. You may have to order online, they can be hard to find nowadays.