Lighting: Too Intense?

[ohaple]

Hello,

We started by installing a small LED aquarium light that would allow us to change the color. We like the orange-ish hue since it brings out the colors of the mantis. The problem is that it doesn't provide a lot of light, and doesnt provide the kind of light our plants will need in the vivarium. We also have a bright aquarium light, with the standard blue/white configuration of LEDs.

The question is, can the light be too bright for these guys? Since they hang from the lid an inch below the light, I worry it may be too much. We also noticed that the shivering behavior that he occasionally does is more common under the bright light. On the contrary, the orange-ish LED light attracts him. He will move until he is directly under it. I don't think it has to do with heat since there is a heat pad on the side of the enclosure that gives off more heat than the light.

Any thoughts? Any studies about what sort of light is best for them?

 

[Synapze]

How many hours each day are the LEDs on? I wouldn't worry about brightness as long as it's not 24/7. ?

You may want to search the enclosure section of the forum. Proper lighting has been discussed, but I don't have a direct link to any particular posts. 

 

[ohaple]

We have the lights on a timer so they are on 13 hours per day (7am-8pm).

I have looked through threads including those below, but none of them seem to look at brightness. One person mentioned how certain lights can make snakes blind, but then the discussion was never resolved. While I have heard that the shivering is fairly normal and may be similar to them stretching, it seems peculiar that the light would increase the behavior. While I want to help the plants grow, I don't want to do so at the cost of the mantid's health. We have tried keeping the enclosure near a window, but it tends to be quite a bit colder in that area. For reference, here are the two lights we have:

https://www.amazon.com/NICREW-ClassicLED-Aquarium-Extendable-Brackets/dp/B0191EWII2/ref=asc_df_B0191EWII2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167149786275&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14598230146912357585&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060473&hvtargid=pla-313113204696&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074W5DRDN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1





EDIT: While browsing I found this in a post about heat lamps. Can anyone verify? I would assume that the rainforest mantis I have would be primarily seeing light filtered through the trees.

 

[Synapze]

I wouldn't worry about it if using a timer. Some would say the timer isn't even necessary, but the object is to balance out their habitat needs with our aesthetic needs. Plus, your mantid has the option of plant cover. You can always use some type of filter material (depending on heat output) if it still concerns you. Again, I wouldn't worry about it at all. 

 

[ohaple]

I wouldn't worry about it if using a timer. Some would say the timer isn't even necessary, but the object is to balance out their habitat needs with our aesthetic needs. Plus, your mantid has the option of plant cover. You can always use some type of filter material (depending on heat output) if it still concerns you. Again, I wouldn't worry about it at all. 

Thank you!