ZEROPILOT
Avid Member
I just joined recently and was reluctant to change a few things about what I thought was very good and responsible Chameleons keeping.
But I wanted to learn. Knowing I didn't know everything.
I primarily keep Redfoot tortoises...And both of the things I was doing WRONG are related to that.
1) I use T8 tubes for my tortoises. I can't even say that I knew what a T5 was. So I had purchased and installed brand new fixtures with T8 5.0 UV tubes (on my 3 four foot deep Reptibreeze cages)
After some schooling, I've ordered 3 T5 fixtures and they'll be here this week.
2) substrate. I have the cages silicone sealed around the bottom edges and have a central drain hole with a strainer and the cages are attached to a table. Also sealed. With a matching drain hole. There are buckets under the table. It actually looks decent and it worked great. Nice drainage. No leaking.
But I decided that I'd use medium sized stones, Orchid bark and moss as a substrate to help keep humidity up. Orchid bark is great for keeping Redfoot on because it holds moisture but doesn't stay soaking wet.
What the Hell, the Chameleons are never down there. It should be a non issue.
Wrong.
Today I noticed a small drip. The front flip open, lower cage panel needed to be re sealed. The water from the drippers and MISTKING had saturated the moss and bark. Not letting the water drain out like before.
I pulled the cover off and was met by a swarm of ...ants?
No.
Millions of tiny crickets!
Enough crickets to completely invade the cage and possibly EAT MY CHAMELEON.
Next cage, same thing!
I don't generally let crickets free range in my enclosures. So these where from a few escapees.
O.K. No substrate. No moss and no bark!
The Chameleons are all outside tonight getting some lovely south Florida steam while I carefully and completely clean these cages.
So thank you to this forum and to its helpful members.
I will now keep my Chameleons in the correct temperature and humidity with the correct lighting, plants and water. And with bare bottomed cages.
But I wanted to learn. Knowing I didn't know everything.
I primarily keep Redfoot tortoises...And both of the things I was doing WRONG are related to that.
1) I use T8 tubes for my tortoises. I can't even say that I knew what a T5 was. So I had purchased and installed brand new fixtures with T8 5.0 UV tubes (on my 3 four foot deep Reptibreeze cages)
After some schooling, I've ordered 3 T5 fixtures and they'll be here this week.
2) substrate. I have the cages silicone sealed around the bottom edges and have a central drain hole with a strainer and the cages are attached to a table. Also sealed. With a matching drain hole. There are buckets under the table. It actually looks decent and it worked great. Nice drainage. No leaking.
But I decided that I'd use medium sized stones, Orchid bark and moss as a substrate to help keep humidity up. Orchid bark is great for keeping Redfoot on because it holds moisture but doesn't stay soaking wet.
What the Hell, the Chameleons are never down there. It should be a non issue.
Wrong.
Today I noticed a small drip. The front flip open, lower cage panel needed to be re sealed. The water from the drippers and MISTKING had saturated the moss and bark. Not letting the water drain out like before.
I pulled the cover off and was met by a swarm of ...ants?
No.
Millions of tiny crickets!
Enough crickets to completely invade the cage and possibly EAT MY CHAMELEON.
Next cage, same thing!
I don't generally let crickets free range in my enclosures. So these where from a few escapees.
O.K. No substrate. No moss and no bark!
The Chameleons are all outside tonight getting some lovely south Florida steam while I carefully and completely clean these cages.
So thank you to this forum and to its helpful members.
I will now keep my Chameleons in the correct temperature and humidity with the correct lighting, plants and water. And with bare bottomed cages.
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