Critique my cage?

[Tyaeda]

So my husband and I got our first chameleon almost a month ago, but not before we made a DIY enclosure.

It's 26 X 26 X 48, completely screened in. Right now we have a heat lamp, and 5.0 UVB bulb. In the middle is a schefflera plant, and all of the other foliage is fake. Some of it was purchased at pet stores, the other stuff was bought at the dollar store. We're using a manual mister as of right now... I'd like to get a bigger one, with some tubing, so I can permanently fascine it to the cage, and just pump the handle and let it go for a few minutes, instead of standing there the whole time.

Before, I had limited foliage around the live plant, but I've made improvements in the past couple weeks. We're hoping to get some thoughts and advice

Before:

After

 

[carol5208]

It looks really nice! It seems very bright in there with just those two lights. Not a bad thing. I am wondering how it is so lit up like that, but maybe it is the pic. I have a long tube light in my cages along with two basking lights. One which is like a 25 watt and does not give off much heat, but is there to brighten up the cage. . The only thing I would say is maybe add a plant grow light for the sheffelera. I had a heck of a time keeping them alive indoors without one. They slowly die over time and will start to drop leaves. Atleast mine did anyways.

 

[camimom]

Your cage looks great!


I recommend using a linear tube style uvb bulb though as it provides more uvb coverage.

I would also maybe add a few more vines just to fill it in a bit more.

 

[iTsJusTMe]

looks good!!!

 

[Tyaeda]

It looks really nice! It seems very bright in there with just those two lights. Not a bad thing. I am wondering how it is so lit up like that, but maybe it is the pic. I have a long tube light in my cages along with two basking lights. One which is like a 25 watt and does not give off much heat, but is there to brighten up the cage. . The only thing I would say is maybe add a plant grow light for the sheffelera. I had a heck of a time keeping them alive indoors without one. They slowly die over time and will start to drop leaves. Atleast mine did anyways.

Thanks for the advice. The one we have is starting to drop leaves... I just put one on there that I had for "tomatoes", hopefully it helps prevent more damage. It also makes it a lot more brighter in there! Have to monitor Mr.Pink to make sure he isn't bothered by it, but he seems ok with it so far. Before I had lots of light because it's right in between two windows that he can look out of during the day. For the pic, I turned on the light in the room. Right now there's a lot of light in there, but it's much shadier near the lower half where he can get to still.

 

[Tyaeda]

Here's what it looks like with the grow light: (I've got his heat off... it's like 80 degrees in this house )

 

[Tyaeda]

How long should I have the grow light on for?

 

[bradley]

You can have your grow light on when you have your uv on. I also would recommend changing to a linear tube uv to give better coverage as the chameleon will have to sit directly under the compact and uv will bareley reach 6 inches down and about the same in diameter.

 

[Tyaeda]

You can have your grow light on when you have your uv on. I also would recommend changing to a linear tube uv to give better coverage as the chameleon will have to sit directly under the compact and uv will bareley reach 6 inches down and about the same in diameter.

I have a branch directly under the uvb, it's about 8 inches away. I'm going to upgrade eventually, but now that it's summer, when I handle him I let him bask in front of the open window (when the light is shining right in), but only for 10 minutes. I was also thinking about getting a small bird cage so he can sit out on the front porch when it's nice out too. In the winter, I'll definitely need a larger bulb and fixture. Should I go for one that has the largest reach?