Branch placement and Qty

[Nikkih08]

Setting up the branches… is this to many? Not enough? Do I need at least one branch all the way to the bottom?

I have an Umbrella tree for the center and two pothos for the mounted pots. I also have a few “accent” plants. Boston fern, Peperomia, dracana, prayer plant that I can also use as filler.

Should I keep the top branches bare for proper basking?

Heat lamp will be in the back left corner and the UVB 12% w/ jungle dawn in the middle. The UVB is on 6” risers and the highest branch is sitting at 9” from the mesh.

Sunset Chams feeder in the front right and the fogger back right.

This set up will be for our 5 month old male Veiled photo attached in his PJ’s in his current cage

 

[Sonny13]

There’s never too much, only too less
It’s looking already pretty good. I would now place the plants and base on the outcome this, you could place more branches. Just make sure there’re no leafs or whatsoever between the top branch and the lights, than you’re good. You can always built as low as possible, every inch of walking space you give him will be appreciated and no waste of empty space.

 

[Nikkih08]

There’s never too much, only too less
It’s looking already pretty good. I would now place the plants and base on the outcome this, you could place more branches. Just make sure there’re no leafs or whatsoever between the top branch and the lights, than you’re good. You can always built as low as possible, every inch of walking space you give him will be appreciated and no waste of empty space.

Thank you for the reply

 

[Beman]

Looking good just note all of your branches are quite small... You will need larger diameter for an adult cham. There should be variation to the diameter and your ones where they are basking need to have some size so they can hold them without issue.

 

[Nikkih08]

Looking good just note all of your branches are quite small... You will need larger diameter for an adult cham. There should be variation to the diameter and your ones where they are basking need to have some size so they can hold them without issue.

See attached with a pen next to them. I actually thought some of these may be too big. Do they need to be thicker?

 

[Beman]

See attached with a pen next to them. I actually thought some of these may be too big. Do they need to be thicker? View attachment 356198View attachment 356199View attachment 356200

So those are not bad at all for size. It is going to be the tiny ones that you will need to watch as the cham grows you may need to swap them out. Watch the branches for break down and rot. Especially the one that has been sand blasted as it will not hold up to water as well with the coating removed. So you will get break down happening faster with that one.

 

[Nikkih08]

Looking good just note all of your branches are quite small... You will need larger diameter for an adult cham. There should be variation to the diameter and your ones where they are basking need to have some size so they can hold them without issue.

See attached with a pen next to them. I actually thought some of these may be too big. Do they need to be thicker? View attachment 356198View attachment 356199

So those are not bad at all for size. It is going to be the tiny ones that you will need to watch as the cham grows you may need to swap them out. Watch the branches for break down and rot. Especially the one that has been sand blasted as it will not hold up to water as well with the coating removed. So you will get break down happening faster with that one.

awrsome… yes I plan on changing the branches as he grows. I don’t have many branches where I live so I had to buy these! Ugh

 

[Beman]

See attached with a pen next to them. I actually thought some of these may be too big. Do they need to be thicker? View attachment 356198View attachment 356199

awrsome… yes I plan on changing the branches as he grows. I don’t have many branches where I live so I had to buy these! Ugh

The manzanita with their natural coating are going to hold up better to the moisture we put into the cages. Because these are from very dry areas they can deteriorate faster without the coating. So just something to be mindful of when you replace them. They can be great branch systems to use though so it was not a bad choice at all to buy them.

 

[Nikkih08]

The manzanita with their natural coating are going to hold up better to the moisture we put into the cages. Because these are from very dry areas they can deteriorate faster without the coating. So just something to be mindful of when you replace them. They can be great branch systems to use though so it was not a bad choice at all to buy them.

Out of curiosity. I bought pond and stone foam. However how do you change the moldy/old branches if the foam is used? Do you need to buy an all new enclosure?

 

[Beman]

Out of curiosity. I bought pond and stone foam. However how do you change the moldy/old branches if the foam is used? Do you need to buy an all new enclosure?

So this is something I always wanted to do, I always loved the look of it. But yes you are at a major disadvantage if you have branches you need to pull out and you have foamed them in. If you use it I would not put it where your branches go in. You could get a large egg crate piece and then cut that to fit the back of your cage. Then use the pond foam to build a back panel. You would attach the panel to the back of the cage frame with Zip ties. @MissSkittles has created these and might be able to post pics.

 

[Nikkih08]

@MissSkittles would love to see some photos. I have 7 cans of the pond foam. Thinking about returning them since I just recently realized I would be able to change out the branches

 

[MissSkittles]

Here’s some pics to illustrate what I did. Plastic egg crate panels (they come 2x4’ & may need some trimming to fit), great stuff, plasti-dip and coco coir. I use the double pot method so zip tied pots to the egg crate & attached some wide tubing to drain properly. You can carve the great stuff as desired once dry. I attached branches by wiring them in & then just a dab of foam for insurance.

 

[MissSkittles]

I would advise against putting foam directly on the screen of your enclosure. Not only is it quite heavy, but if later you decide to change it, you’ll either need to rescreen or replace your enclosure. I changed mine because it just seemed so dark.

 

[Raymond1412]

I love your setup so far!! You have plenty of those kinds of branches, but I would add some flexible vines in there too. I prefer synthetic since it's harder for bacteria to grow on them and you don't have to change them as often. I would also consider adding a big ghost wood branch to the enclosure, like the one in the picture of my enclosure. (circled below)

Here are some links to places where you can get some vines and ghost wood branches:

Amazon- Flexible synthetic large vine

Amazon- Flexible synthetic 3.6 ft vine

Glass Box Tropicals- Ghostwood Branch 14-20 Inches

Pangea Reptile- Ghostwood Branches 5 DIFFERENT SIZES

The Ghostwood branch I have starts at the bottom of the enclosure and ends at the very top. Don't mind Daffie, she was finishing her meal
I hope this information helps and I wish you the best of luck with your chameleon enclosure!!

 

[Nikkih08]

I would advise against putting foam directly on the screen of your enclosure. Not only is it quite heavy, but if later you decide to change it, you’ll either need to rescreen or replace your enclosure. I changed mine because it just seemed so dark.

That’s exactly what made me decide to not use the foam. Think I’ll stick without using it for now. I love the look… when I redo my panthers cage I may go this route.

How often do you change out your branches?

 

[Nikkih08]

I love your setup so far!! You have plenty of those kinds of branches, but I would add some flexible vines in there too. I prefer synthetic since it's harder for bacteria to grow on them and you don't have to change them as often. I would also consider adding a big ghost wood branch to the enclosure, like the one in the picture of my enclosure. (circled below)

Here are some links to places where you can get some vines and ghost wood branches:

Amazon- Flexible synthetic large vine

Amazon- Flexible synthetic 3.6 ft vine

Glass Box Tropicals- Ghostwood Branch 14-20 Inches

Pangea Reptile- Ghostwood Branches 5 DIFFERENT SIZES

View attachment 356229
The Ghostwood branch I have starts at the bottom of the enclosure and ends at the very top. Don't mind Daffie, she was finishing her meal
I hope this information helps and I wish you the best of luck with your chameleon enclosure!!

 

[Nikkih08]

I love your Chams home! Beautiful. I did actually add 2 synthetic bendable vines. I also added another manzanita branch that goes to the floor in the back just in case he decides to explore the bottom! Right now he is in a 16x16x30 and goes all over his home.

Love the ghost wood idea. Might wait for that until the next reptile show so I can pick out one I like.

 

[Raymond1412]

I love your Chams home! Beautiful. I did actually add 2 synthetic bendable vines. I also added another manzanita branch that goes to the floor in the back just in case he decides to explore the bottom! Right now he is in a 16x16x30 and goes all over his home.

Love the ghost wood idea. Might wait for that until the next reptile show so I can pick out one I like.

Thank you! Great job adding the vines!! I love the idea of waiting until the next reptile show, that's where I got my Ghostwood branch!!

 

[Nikkih08]

Thank you! Great job adding the vines!! I love the idea of waiting until the next reptile show, that's where I got my Ghostwood branch!!

With 2 bendable vines. I also put window shrink film on the back to prevent water from hitting my wall. I have a 26”x26” drip pan on the way as well that will help catch any run off water.

 

[MissSkittles]

That’s exactly what made me decide to not use the foam. Think I’ll stick without using it for now. I love the look… when I redo my panthers cage I may go this route.

How often do you change out your branches?

I’ve redone my chameleons enclosures at least a couple of times for each and that is the only times that I’ve needed to replace a few branches. Those that are in contact with the (bioactive) substrate will start to breakdown in that contact area. Others which are a bit thin will become fragile and break under the stress of being removed (it’s a challenge to detangle all the connections).
To brighten up their homes, I currently have shower curtains with a blue sky to block their views of each other and prevent water overspray onto the walls.