Best thing to have on the bottom of the tank/ enclosure

[AReptile]

What is the best thing to have at a the bottom of a chameleon's tank? Since it's a baby I'm using a 10 gall tank w/ a screen top for the moment. I have these well they look like wood chips at the bottom but one of the problems is that when I mist and drip for the cham the water doesn't evaporate and just builds up. The other problem is that the crickets can hide in it easily and at will. I have to remove the water tomorrow and I need to know what is my best bet with dealing with the "flooding" that is going on and of course something the crickets can't hide in.

 

[lbesok]

Nothing, or just paper towels is the best substrate. It would good if you could think about getting a screen cage for your chameleon soon as well.

 

[skully23]

Use newspaper or papertowel. If you use nothing you will have to clean the floor of the cage but if you use one of the suggested you can just roll it up and throw it out, replacing it easily.

Any substrate causes impaction if its loose and it also will allow prey to hide. (maybe even eye problems)

 

[pssh]

I would like to correct skully and say that if the substrate is eaten it can cause impaction, which I'm sure is not a risk you would want to take.

 

[skully23]

ya, thats what I meant.

 

[AReptile]

Use newspaper or papertowel. If you use nothing you will have to clean the floor of the cage but if you use one of the suggested you can just roll it up and throw it out, replacing it easily.

Any substrate causes impaction if its loose and it also will allow prey to hide. (maybe even eye problems)

Yes the prey hiding is the other problem I'm having with the current substrate.

 

[tkilgour]

I use white paper towels, make sure there is no ink. The ink on some paper towels will run off and stain the bottom of the enclosure and the cham. could eat it. Then every day I replace the paper easily.

 

[skully23]

Yes the prey hiding is the other problem I'm having with the current substrate.

Then take a few moments and clean out the bottom of the cage real quick so your chameleon wont have to deal with it or you.

 

[AReptile]

If you replace it every day doesn't that mean that you have to handle your cham every time it needs to be replaced?

 

[skully23]

The paper towel? Not if you have a tall screen cage that you can easily get to the bottom without disturbing it. I use newspaper and I dont handle mine to clean it out.

 

[pssh]

Not if you buy a screen cage with a bottom moving panel.

 

[skully23]

ha mine is hand built(so I reach in the cage) until I get the one I showed you Pssh.
I am getting that cage and sure hope it has a bottom thing that comes out. Thanks for finding that great deal

 

[AReptile]

Anyone got a link to a cage that looks like that?

 

[pssh]

On lllreptile they sell aluminum screen cages in the glass and screen section (I think?)

 

[Sir Spiral Tail]

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/reptile-cages-glass-and-screen/