BIoactive setup stuff list

Here is a list of things I have so far for my bioactive chameleon enclosure(s)-
I am planning to get one 24x24x48 habitat (male)?x1
And one 18x18x36 habitat (female) ?x1

?=purchased
Lighting-
  • T5 HO linear bulb (Arcadia ProT5 UVB) (x1)($30) ?
  • T5 HO linear bulb + FIXTURE (x1)($65) ?
  • Fluker's Neodymium Daylight Bulb (75 watt) ? (x2) ($5 each)
  • Fluker's Repta-Clamp Lamp with Switch (8.5")?(x2) ($15 each)
  • Durolux 6500k full spectrum dual fluorescent light (x2)($40 each) ?
(Note: for the 18x18 I have put one T5 HO into the 6500k fixture. This way there is one T5 bulb and one plant bulb.)
Bioactive terrarium setup-
  • Exo Terra cork board background? ($40)
  • Spray foam ? ($70)
  • Gray spray paint (for the "rocks" minimally used on the bottom of enclosure) ? ($6)
  • Polypropylene corrugated board made into planter ? (x2)($15)
  • Lava rock ? (x2)($7)
  • Weed control fabric ? ($13)
  • Potting soil ? ($7)
  • Wood chips ? (x2)($16)
  • Mosss! ? (x2)($11)
  • Leaf litter ("permanently borrowed" from lilac bush outside when trimming branches for the cage) ? ($0)
  • Real pretty caves n stuff from the pet store or outside ? ($6)
  • Terra cotta pots shattered and placed on the sides to look pretty hardcore? ($7)
  • Coconut fiber ? ($7)
  • GE 100% silicone ALL PURPOSE gluey stuff probably (plus a couple other glue stuff cause I suck at gluing) ? ($20)
  • Way more pvc pipe than I expected ? ($60)
Bioactive wildlife-
  • Dwarftropical isopods and springtails from Josh's frogs (x2)($27) ?
  • Worms (half from the container as a snack for my axolotl buddy) ($7) ?
Bioactive PLTANS (grow, my children)
  • Orchids ($9) ?
  • Hibiscus ($5 from home depot) ?
  • Fancy-leaf geranium ($6) ?
  • Coleus Wasabi ($6) ?
  • Palm plant ($8) ?
  • Fern bundle ($17) ?
  • Confederate Jasmine ($8) ?
  • Various plants ferns n stuff ($15) ?


Etc.-
  • Flukers Digital Thermometer Hygrometer ($19) ?
  • Either MistKing-22251-Starter-Misting-System or Exo-Terra-Spray-Bottle (depends on funding) ($10-$120)
    Light timers (~10)
  • 8 outlet timed surge protector ($22)(x2) ?
Food and supplements are not meant to be included on here! They will be added at a future date. (In a few months once the bioactive part gets goin)

TOTAL: $864 - $984 with mister

TOTAL SPENT: $864 plus.... Way too much? (I'm going to estimate about $100 in accidental plant deaths, plant lighting experimentation, trellis in the background, pvc pipe planning mishaps.)
I also added some extra orchid stuff for about $30.

I have been misting every day and night. I am actually pretty reluctant to buy a mistking because... I'm going to miss misting the cage! It's very calming for me and I really love it. I'll be getting a mist king before my classes start to ensure that they are sprayed even if I wake up too late for class.
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BenjiTheCham
I’m assuming that you are a new cham owner. Am I correct?

I’ve never heard of silkworms as clean up crew. Could you tell me more about that?

I also highly recommend the MistKing. It works so well and you’ll need it if you go out of town for a couple days. It is so easy to use and a pretty quick setup. Just make sure that you have a bucket on hand and the correct drill bits, as you will need to drill in the screen and bucket. I can’t remember the exact sizes, but I would make sure you have them on hand.You will also want a wedge to support the nozzle. You can make one of these, too.

If you haven’t already, get timers for your lights. You can get them cheap and any hardware store (or amazon).

I also have a couple questions:
What are you using the spray foam for? Are you planning on making a custom background?
What about the pvc? If you are using that as a drain you shouldn’t need to make any holes in the bottom, but it’s way easier if you do..
Why do you need coco fiber and potting soil? I guess you could use both but I don’t see why you would. I would use josh’s frogs for you supplies. They have a wide variety of stuff and, correct me if I’m wrong, I think they have free shipping over $100. Otherwise it was $15 for 2 day (but I don’t think they ship on weekends so it ended up being like 6 day because I ordered it at like 7 pm on a Friday, and with covid) they sell coco fiber for $9 for 10 quarts I think. And it’s loose so there isn’t any need to soak it. For your bark I would use reptibark because it’s cheaper than orchid bark and serves the same purpose.

I just realized you’re probably using it for the background lol.

make sure that the fabric you get actually let’s water pass through, I got some and decided to test it out and it just held water, so I got different stuff. That would not have gone over well.

I should shut up because this is when I continue for a few more paragraphs and find out that you are an experienced chameleon owner and already know everything that I just said and wasted a good chunk of my time lmao. I’m happy to keep going and to help you if you are a new cham owner, I just want to make sure first. I was in your boat a few months ago (assuming you are a new cham owner), so probably get other opinions as well in case I say something stupid
 
saradoggy10
Lucas Danielson said:
I’m assuming that you are a new cham owner. Am I correct?

I’ve never heard of silkworms as clean up crew. Could you tell me more about that?

I also highly recommend the MistKing. It works so well and you’ll need it if you go out of town for a couple days. It is so easy to use and a pretty quick setup. Just make sure that you have a bucket on hand and the correct drill bits, as you will need to drill in the screen and bucket. I can’t remember the exact sizes, but I would make sure you have them on hand.You will also want a wedge to support the nozzle. You can make one of these, too.

If you haven’t already, get timers for your lights. You can get them cheap and any hardware store (or amazon).

I also have a couple questions:
What are you using the spray foam for? Are you planning on making a custom background?
What about the pvc? If you are using that as a drain you shouldn’t need to make any holes in the bottom, but it’s way easier if you do..
Why do you need coco fiber and potting soil? I guess you could use both but I don’t see why you would. I would use josh’s frogs for you supplies. They have a wide variety of stuff and, correct me if I’m wrong, I think they have free shipping over $100. Otherwise it was $15 for 2 day (but I don’t think they ship on weekends so it ended up being like 6 day because I ordered it at like 7 pm on a Friday, and with covid) they sell coco fiber for $9 for 10 quarts I think. And it’s loose so there isn’t any need to soak it. For your bark I would use reptibark because it’s cheaper than orchid bark and serves the same purpose.

I just realized you’re probably using it for the background lol.

make sure that the fabric you get actually let’s water pass through, I got some and decided to test it out and it just held water, so I got different stuff. That would not have gone over well.

I should shut up because this is when I continue for a few more paragraphs and find out that you are an experienced chameleon owner and already know everything that I just said and wasted a good chunk of my time lmao. I’m happy to keep going and to help you if you are a new cham owner, I just want to make sure first. I was in your boat a few months ago (assuming you are a new cham owner), so probably get other opinions as well in case I say something stupid
Click to expand...
Lolol yes I am a new cham owner and I have answers to all your questions! The pvc is to rig to hold up the basking lamp and possible piping for the drainage. The coconut fiber is for the sides as the background along with the spray foam. The potting soil is for the ground. Orchids just grow on trees so I plan to stick it on some cork bark. If it doesn't stick that's fine, it's more of a test. (I won't bother with an orchid if it's too much work)
Free shipping over $100?? I actually probably will get it from them lol. I have a membership at a local pet store though where I get 10% off pet supplies so anything I can't get from that store I'll get from that website. I'll make sure to test the fabric- I was going to go to menards once I get enough money and test it out.
Im doing research on my chameleons so its funding is being assisted by donations. I'll be getting a mist king eventually but while I wait for the habitat to balance its bio aspects I may just get a spray bottle while I wait for the funding. (I will have at least $1000 saved up for the chameleons themselves, do not fret)
I was thinking of getting simple 12 hour timers for the outlet. Maybe more specialized ones. Haven't even looked at timers in the store since 2006 so im not sure the nice aspects they have lol. I'll add that to the list!
 
BenjiTheCham
saradoggy10 said:
Lolol yes I am a new cham owner and I have answers to all your questions! The pvc is to rig to hold up the basking lamp and possible piping for the drainage. The coconut fiber is for the sides as the background along with the spray foam. The potting soil is for the ground. Orchids just grow on trees so I plan to stick it on some cork bark. If it doesn't stick that's fine, it's more of a test. (I won't bother with an orchid if it's too much work)
Free shipping over $100?? I actually probably will get it from them lol. I have a membership at a local pet store though where I get 10% off pet supplies so anything I can't get from that store I'll get from that website. I'll make sure to test the fabric- I was going to go to menards once I get enough money and test it out.
Im doing research on my chameleons so its funding is being assisted by donations. I'll be getting a mist king eventually but while I wait for the habitat to balance its bio aspects I may just get a spray bottle while I wait for the funding. (I will have at least $1000 saved up for the chameleons themselves, do not fret)
I was thinking of getting simple 12 hour timers for the outlet. Maybe more specialized ones. Haven't even looked at timers in the store since 2006 so im not sure the nice aspects they have lol. I'll add that to the list!
Click to expand...
Okay that answers a lot of my questions. I hope that your tank goes well!
 
BenjiTheCham
saradoggy10 said:
Thanks! If you have any other suggestions or a few more paragraphs I would love to hear!
I appreciate constructive advice from those like you haha
Click to expand...
Yeah, I’m still curious about those silkworms! I thought they live above ground? If so, wouldn’t the cham just eat them? I know they are common as feeders, so if you can’t use them for the clean up crew, definitely use them as feeders!

im also interested about the terracotta pots. You’ll have to explain to me what you mean. If they are going inside the tank, make sure you find a way to make sure they aren’t sharp and able to cut your Cham!

What are the caves?

Also for the rest of the clean up crew, I’ve heard that the best for this type of tank are temperate springtails and dwarf white isopods. They sell a bundle of those two on joshs frogs for $25. I’ve heard of other isopods being used as well, but I think the dwarf whites are best for these Conditions as well.

Make sure that when you buy your plants that you clean them! You don’t want any bugs from them to get in your tank. Don’t use the soil that they come in either. Check out the YouTube channel SerpaDesigns if you haven’t already, even though you probably have. He makes a lot of those custom backgrounds

I’m excited to hear about the orchids! I love orchids and I’ve been debating whether or not I should add them in. I’ve heard people say that their veiled chameleons don’t like the taste of orchid leaves btw, even though every cham is different, don’t let getting a veiled discourage you from trying orchids. Maybe just start with the cheap Phalaenopsis orchids from Home Depot or cub (obviously other places as well, but those are not the common places I see them).

I can’t wait to see your tank. As I am still fairly new to the topic, I want to see other people’s bioactive setup! Especially people who are also new to chameleons in general. I’m guessing that you have a screen cage? I have a glass btw
 
saradoggy10
Lucas Danielson said:
Yeah, I’m still curious about those silkworms! I thought they live above ground? If so, wouldn’t the cham just eat them? I know they are common as feeders, so if you can’t use them for the clean up crew, definitely use them as feeders!

im also interested about the terracotta pots. You’ll have to explain to me what you mean. If they are going inside the tank, make sure you find a way to make sure they aren’t sharp and able to cut your Cham!

What are the caves?

Also for the rest of the clean up crew, I’ve heard that the best for this type of tank are temperate springtails and dwarf white isopods. They sell a bundle of those two on joshs frogs for $25. I’ve heard of other isopods being used as well, but I think the dwarf whites are best for these Conditions as well.

Make sure that when you buy your plants that you clean them! You don’t want any bugs from them to get in your tank. Don’t use the soil that they come in either. Check out the YouTube channel SerpaDesigns if you haven’t already, even though you probably have. He makes a lot of those custom backgrounds

I’m excited to hear about the orchids! I love orchids and I’ve been debating whether or not I should add them in. I’ve heard people say that their veiled chameleons don’t like the taste of orchid leaves btw, even though every cham is different, don’t let getting a veiled discourage you from trying orchids. Maybe just start with the cheap Phalaenopsis orchids from Home Depot or cub (obviously other places as well, but those are not the common places I see them).

I can’t wait to see your tank. As I am still fairly new to the topic, I want to see other people’s bioactive setup! Especially people who are also new to chameleons in general. I’m guessing that you have a screen cage? I have a glass btw
Click to expand...
I'll most likely be getting screen just because glass is (SO) expensive. Once I have a little bit more expendable income I'll upgrade. I plan to have chameleons for a very long time! Silkworms will be used as feeders for sure . The more live things in a bioactive environment, the easier it'll balance. The terra cotta pots will be split in half and used as planters on the side for vines! They will be spray foamed in to prevent any sort of cuts. Nothing but soft landings for my guys.
I'll be getting panthers so I shouldn't have as much of an issue with the orchids. I know veiled chams have an issue with eating them haha. The caves are just for bugs at the bottom and to look cooler. Probably just some driftwood or something, nothing fancy at all.
And I will check out that youtube on cleaning plants! I planned to just drown any I got in some water for about an hour, that's how I know how to kill bugs on or in berries.
I'm really honestly so excited to get started but it's pretty pricey! Once I get started I'll probably make a youtube video to advertise my fundraiser and give a step by step process on a bioactive enclosure.
I will for sure getting springwords and some white isopods but I really hold a love for roly polies so I'll be getting some of those no matter what (lol)
 
BenjiTheCham
saradoggy10 said:
I'll most likely be getting screen just because glass is (SO) expensive. Once I have a little bit more expendable income I'll upgrade. I plan to have chameleons for a very long time! Silkworms will be used as feeders for sure . The more live things in a bioactive environment, the easier it'll balance. The terra cotta pots will be split in half and used as planters on the side for vines! They will be spray foamed in to prevent any sort of cuts. Nothing but soft landings for my guys.
I'll be getting panthers so I shouldn't have as much of an issue with the orchids. I know veiled chams have an issue with eating them haha. The caves are just for bugs at the bottom and to look cooler. Probably just some driftwood or something, nothing fancy at all.
And I will check out that youtube on cleaning plants! I planned to just drown any I got in some water for about an hour, that's how I know how to kill bugs on or in berries.
I'm really honestly so excited to get started but it's pretty pricey! Once I get started I'll probably make a youtube video to advertise my fundraiser and give a step by step process on a bioactive enclosure.
I will for sure getting springwords and some white isopods but I really hold a love for roly polies so I'll be getting some of those no matter what (lol)
Click to expand...
Yeah, glass really is expensive, but I had to get it because I live in Minnesota. We basically always have heat on or A/C lol. It really dries out the air.

the terracotta pots sound cool btw! FYI Roly pollies and isopods are the same thing lol
 
saradoggy10
Let's play a game!
I need to document the growth of my plants to estimate how well they're growing in my habitat. Just added some earthworms and compost so they should start to grow more. Also just got spider mites (Amazing, right) so one of the plants will have to be temporarily removed tonight while I figure that out.

Day 1
2020-07-26.jpg
24x24

2020-07-26.jpg

18x18
 
For Toby
Wow! These are both beautiful setups. Love the pots in the side. The moss on the walls must help with humidity. How many wall is it ok to cover? I know chameleons need good air flow. Just wondering. I'm still setting up my first bioactive enclosure, and might steal some of your ideas. Thanks everyone for commenting. Lots of good info here.
 
saradoggy10
For Toby said:
Wow! These are both beautiful setups. Love the pots in the side. The moss on the walls must help with humidity. How many wall is it ok to cover? I know chameleons need good air flow. Just wondering. I'm still setting up my first bioactive enclosure, and might steal some of your ideas. Thanks everyone for commenting. Lots of good info here.
Click to expand...
You can cover up the three walls with no issues- I also added some holes in the foam for space for the temp gauge.
Technically you're not supposed to put them in an aquarium, but things like glass terrariums are *probably* okay so I don't see why the foam sides wouldn't.

I wish you the best of luck! I actually really love my setup and taking care of it. Having the plants makes you care about not just the cham but the entire enclosure as well.
 
swtaber1
Can you use cork wood in background? I thought bout picking some up but was not sure ?
 
saradoggy10
swtaber1 said:
Can you use cork wood in background? I thought bout picking some up but was not sure ?
Click to expand...
Yes! I've seen it used in other enclosures and boy does it add a pop to the cage. I've heard panthers sometimes (but rarely) munch on bark but it's not loose enough or close enough to the branches to make it easy for him.
 

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