what isthe best non basking bulb to simulate the day light?

[Blaze1]

What is the best non basking bulb to simulate daytime that will not harm my pacman frogs? I use mostly my room lighting for one of them but the other 20gal tank is set up in a dark area and I would like to have some lighting. I've read of people using regular CFL bulbs from home depot, if that's a good idea what kelvin ratio would be best? Any input would be much appreciated as I am a new member and semi new owner.

[DVirginiana]

Hmm... As long as their area isn't seriously dark, I don't think they would need extra light. As long as yours is getting enough light that he has a 12 hour day/night cycle, it should be fine.
If not, make sure you get nothing over 40 watts (or the equivalent of 40 watts since some energy saving bulbs can be a lot brighter than the wattage would make you think).

[Blaze1]

ok, it is pretty dark so I kind of want to pick up a low wattage CFL, does the kelvin ratings matter? I know from growing different types of plants that it matters from veg cycle (more light blue 6500k<) to flower cycle (more yellow <2700k)

[Heatheranne]

Pacman frogs do not require any certain kelvin light range. This is because when the sun comes up, they burrow. The goal is just to simulate night and day. Even a small cfl of 13 watts is fine. Albino pacman frogs should not have bright light as their eyes are more sensitive to light. Even just using light within the room is fine. So, any usual low kelvin bulb is fine. I would keep the wattage to 50 or less, preferably less.

If you decide to give them a planted vivarium, be sure to provide areas of shade.

[Blaze1]

Thanks for the input Heatheranne, wasn't planning on doing a live planted tank but is there any benefits from it over fake plants other than moisture?

[Heatheranne]

For pacman frogs, not really. They tend to dig up and tip over the plants, so I actually use fake for them. Tough little stinkers . Just wait til your baby gets big .

[Lija]

Heather is right live plants and pacman are not really compatible they produce so much waste that none of live plants can grow, and if some will grow they will dig them out, but and you need to take plants out when you change the substrate once a month.
I use lights for everybody, just because this way i know they get 12/12 cycle, and they are better visible this way even when a light is dim. I'm using regular energy saving 13w lamps, they are the lowest possible voltage, give dim light and save energy that is very important when you have many tanks

[aGreenCup]

I'm using ExoTerra 2.0 bulbs on both my setups. I love them and so do my plants and frogs. I run them 7hrs/day. You want something with very low UVB. but looks great 2.0 are the way to go.