Closing eyes all day

[groggow]

So my vieled chameleon possibly 5 months old I e had for a week now has started to close his eyes and looks to be sleeping all day unless I open the enclosure.. he doesn't move much either not sure why he did swallow some fake moss I had in his enclosure a few days ago maybe that's why otherwise seems OK
I have a 18 x18x24 glass enclosure with screen top
40 watt daylight bulb for basking
Th50 uvb 5.o 24 inch long bulb
Medium sized crickets about 10 to 15 a day once a day with calcium powder
Misting 3 x a day for couple min by hand
All real plants that are safe for chameleons(pothos, money tree, polka dot plant and spider plant)
No substrate
No moss anymore
And the only fake plants are the ones for climbing right now
And there is a fountain in my enclosure as well but only to catch drippings from dripper cuz I have no substrate and a glass bottom so no option for drainage

Temp stays around 70-80 all day 60 to 70 at night
Humidity is 30 to 50 in day time 80 to 90 at night

 

[Beman]

So my vieled chameleon possibly 5 months old I e had for a week now has started to close his eyes and looks to be sleeping all day unless I open the enclosure.. he doesn't move much either not sure why he did swallow some fake moss I had in his enclosure a few days ago maybe that's why otherwise seems OK
I have a 18 x18x24 glass enclosure with screen top
40 watt daylight bulb for basking
Th50 uvb 5.o 24 inch long bulb
Medium sized crickets about 10 to 15 a day once a day with calcium powder
Misting 3 x a day for couple min by hand
All real plants that are safe for chameleons(pothos, money tree, polka dot plant and spider plant)
No substrate
No moss anymore
And the only fake plants are the ones for climbing right now
And there is a fountain in my enclosure as well but only to catch drippings from dripper cuz I have no substrate and a glass bottom so no option for drainage

Temp stays around 70-80 all day 60 to 70 at night
Humidity is 30 to 50 in day time 80 to 90 at night

So I do not see a T5HO long linear UVB fixture. Are you only using the compact screw in uvb bulb? If you have the correct one where is it placed?

What supplements are you using? Post a pic for me please.

These two things above are the two most common reasons for sleeping during the day when they are not the right things.

Cage size is too small for one this big already. You need a 24x24x48in tall.

 

[groggow]

So I do not see a T5HO long linear UVB fixture. Are you only using the compact screw in uvb bulb? If you have the correct one where is it placed?

What supplements are you using? Post a pic for me please.

These two things above are the two most common reasons for sleeping during the day when they are not the right things.

Cage size is too small for one this big already. You need a 24x24x48in tall.

Okay yes I do have the linear uvb I'll post that picture was from other day before I got it I had the compact originally but changed it I'll post pic of lights on here and gonna upgrade to bigger tank asap just got him last Tuesday and this is what pet store told me I needed they were way wrong lol changed almost everything since then and I'll also post pics of supplements
The dome light is just a 40 watt heat lamp and the uvb light is a out 8 inches above tank I only out it that close because it's got the mesh top on the tank
I do the calcium without d3 everyday gonna do d3 every other weekend
And also do fruit for crickets

 

[Beman]

Okay yes I do have the linear uvb I'll post that picture was from other day before I got it I had the compact originally but changed it I'll post pic of lights on here and gonna upgrade to bigger tank asap just got him last Tuesday and this is what pet store told me I needed they were way wrong lol changed almost everything since then and I'll also post pics of supplements
The dome light is just a 40 watt heat lamp and the uvb light is a out 8 inches above tank I only out it that close because it's got the mesh top on the tank
I do the calcium without d3 everyday gonna do d3 every other weekend
And also do fruit for crickets

Your UVB is lifted way too far away if your using the reptisun 5.0 strength. You want 8 measured inches from the bottom of the fixture to the highest branch in the cage below it. So if your branch sits 5-6 inches down from the screen top you need to have the fixture only raised 3 inches off the top from the screen. and it needs to sit without anything obstructing it in between. No fixtures or wood blocks should block the lighting or it will block 100% of the uvb. Baby is not getting the UVB he needs right now. So this is a typical sign of shut down and stress. Normally will turn around as soon as you correct the UVB distance within a day or so.

Supplements are right. Lightly dust with the calcium without D3 at all feedings then two times a months on say the 1st and the 15th you will lightly dust all insects that day with the reptivite.

Cricket stuff is pretty much useless other than to hydrate them. Which you can do with fresh veg. See gutload image.

 

[Beman]

Buy this... https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...ht-dome-support-fixture-65-l-x-1875-h-2151890

Buy this... https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/flukers-mini-sun-dome-reptile-lamp-2315102


The first link is something you can attach to that glass cage on the back side of it. This allows you to raise the fixture up off the cage top without obstructing the airflow of the cage. go towards a corner but before you stick the bracket to the cage hold it up to it with the fixture on it so you can double check placement. then you want your uvb right middle of the cage not on one side or the other. Then buy the lamp at the second link this is a 5.5 diameter fixture so it take up more space with a hanger on it so you hang that on the light bracket.

These will free up room on the top of your cage and allow you to pull the heat up off the top. Then allows you to position the UVB where you need it.

 

[groggow]

Your UVB is lifted way too far away if your using the reptisun 5.0 strength. You want 8 measured inches from the bottom of the fixture to the highest branch in the cage below it. So if your branch sits 5-6 inches down from the screen top you need to have the fixture only raised 3 inches off the top from the screen. and it needs to sit without anything obstructing it in between. No fixtures or wood blocks should block the lighting or it will block 100% of the uvb. Baby is not getting the UVB he needs right now. So this is a typical sign of shut down and stress. Normally will turn around as soon as you correct the UVB distance within a day or so.

Supplements are right. Lightly dust with the calcium without D3 at all feedings then two times a months on say the 1st and the 15th you will lightly dust all insects that day with the reptivite.

Cricket stuff is pretty much useless other than to hydrate them. Which you can do with fresh veg. See gutload image.

So the reason I have uvb so high was cuz it's only a 24 inch tall enclosure until I upgrade I was told it'd be to much uvb if I left it on the screen

 

[Beman]

So the reason I have uvb so high was cuz it's only a 24 inch tall enclosure until I upgrade I was told it'd be to much uvb if I left it on the screen

Go back and read what I wrote... There is a very specific distance needed to be able to provide the chameleon with the correct UVB level at the branch. So if you pull it 9 inches above the cage or whatever it is you have now removed all usable UVB within the cage.


It has nothing to do with your enclosure height. It has everything to do with your fixture and bulb strength and where your highest horizontal branch sits within the cage.

With a T5HO fixture and a 5.0 bulb you need 8-9 inches total distance from the bottom of the fixture where the bulb is to the branch inside the cage. THis provides the chameleon with a 3 UVI. Even if you had it at 7 inches away it would not be too much as it would still be within limits.

I would not steer you wrong, I know my stuff when it comes to chameleons.

 

[groggow]

Go back and read what I wrote... There is a very specific distance needed to be able to provide the chameleon with the correct UVB level at the branch. So if you pull it 9 inches above the cage or whatever it is you have now removed all usable UVB within the cage.


It has nothing to do with your enclosure height. It has everything to do with your fixture and bulb strength and where your highest horizontal branch sits within the cage.

With a T5HO fixture and a 5.0 bulb you need 8-9 inches total distance from the bottom of the fixture where the bulb is to the branch inside the cage. THis provides the chameleon with a 3 UVI. Even if you had it at 7 inches away it would not be too much as it would still be within limits.

I would not steer you wrong, I know my stuff when it comes to chameleons.

OK well I adjusted the uvb to about 3 inches above and nothing blocking it now I do have the heat bulb directly on cage rn (will change as soon as I get a single dome light for heat and the hangar) but it doesn't get to hot for him like that. That's how I had it before

 

[Beman]

OK well I adjusted the uvb to about 3 inches above and nothing blocking it now I do have the heat bulb directly on cage rn (will change as soon as I get a single dome light for heat and the hangar) but it doesn't get to hot for him like that. That's how I had it before

Now make sure you have a vine directly below the uvb fixture 5 inches down from the screen top.

 

[groggow]

Now make sure you have a vine directly below the uvb fixture 5 inches down from the screen top.

So I redid his tank a little bit and cleaned it out yesterday waiting on single dome light and hanger to get delivered tomorrow but I attached a picture of what he's been doin for like 2 days my fiance was able to feed him 3 calcium dusted crickets yesterday b7t thats all he did but today he won't open his eyes or do anything. At this point I don't what else to do for him cuz he just sits there with his eyes closed all day also is this basking lamp ok as long as temps stay where they need to be

 

[GrannyK]

Hi there, He seems to be reaching for the uvb, is the branch directly below the uvb fixture at the recommended distance?
You did state he ate fake moss in the tank, this could be affecting him. Has he been to the vet? If not maybe it’s time. He could be impacted and it’s now showing more.
The basking bulb will work, just ensure it maintains proper temperature.

 

[groggow]

Hi there, He seems to be reaching for the uvb, is the branch directly below the uvb fixture at the recommended distance?
You did state he ate fake moss in the tank, this could be affecting him. Has he been to the vet? If not maybe it’s time. He could be impacted and it’s now showing more.
The basking bulb will work, just ensure it maintains proper temperature.

The light is 3 inches above mesh with his highest branch about 4 to 5 inches below that he's been pooping every few days and it looks fine so I don't know impaction would be the case and I don't even know if I have a reptile vet around me gotta look into that

 

[MissSkittles]

While most exotics vets will see and treat chameleon’s, they are not all experienced or very knowledgeable about them. Here’s our list of vets who are known to be experienced with chameleons and hopefully one is within driving distance of you.