Critique My Setup

L

lily2521

New Member
I'll be getting a juvenile carpet cham this Tuesday, finished set up today.

Basking temp hovers between 83-84, humidity is around 68, I'm waiting for my mister to go off again to check the humidity at that time. I have a shower curtain on the left and back side to help with humidity. I'll be misting 4x a day for 60 seconds each. Live hoya plant, the rest is fake. Reptisun 5.0 and 75 watt basking bulb. Cage is 16x16x30. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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I like it. Not sure if anything should be changed as I will be doing the same as you. I'm getting closer to finishing my cage. Love the cup feeder.
 
Looks very nice. I don't know temps for Carpets, but I am sure you have done your research it looks like. I am sure he will be very happy in his new home!
 
carol5208 said:
Looks very nice. I don't know temps for Carpets, but I am sure you have done your research it looks like. I am sure he will be very happy in his new home!
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I cannot even begin to express how much help these forums have been in my research and getting ready for our new cham!
 
Yes, it is the best place to learn. I have been on here about 4 1/2 yrs now and everything I know about chameleons is because of this forum!!
 
It looks pretty good but I would say you need more branches in the top region of the cage. If you keep the top branches that far from the top they may feel compelled to climb the top screen to get to the heat. That usually is how it works. Your intent may be to keep them from getting too close to the heat bulb but that backfires most of the time. Raise the light to get the temperture you need and fill that area with climbing opportunities.

Carpets are smaller but have the same temp.humidity requirements as panthers. Basking branch in the upper 80s to low 90s max. Lower reaches of the cage in the mid 70s in the daytime. Hope this helps!
 
reptoman said:
It looks pretty good but I would say you need more branches in the top region of the cage. If you keep the top branches that far from the top they may feel compelled to climb the top screen to get to the heat. That usually is how it works. Your intent may be to keep them from getting too close to the heat bulb but that backfires most of the time. Raise the light to get the temperture you need and fill that area with climbing opportunities.

Carpets are smaller but have the same temp.humidity requirements as panthers. Basking branch in the upper 80s to low 90s max. Lower reaches of the cage in the mid 70s in the daytime. Hope this helps!
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Per your suggestion I added some more branches
 

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where did you get those branches? My enclosure is a little messy and for my second cham I would like to make it look a little nicer with more branches and less vines.
 
zlew said:
where did you get those branches? My enclosure is a little messy and for my second cham I would like to make it look a little nicer with more branches and less vines.
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Target of all places, like in the home decorating area. I looked at craft stores (like Michaels) and they had some too but I liked these better because they were a little thicker and looked more like a real branch.
 
lily2521 said:
Target of all places, like in the home decorating area. I looked at craft stores (like Michaels) and they had some too but I liked these better because they were a little thicker and looked more like a real branch.
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Just be careful of what they might be treated with. I had some bamboo matts that I got for decor in my bearded dragon cage and when they got wet they would actually leak what they were treated with. As soon as I noticed this I took them out. I noticed because the water that would run off onto paper towels wasn't clear it was a reddish brown.

The set up looks great! I love the idea of having it on a vanity for drainage.
 
Peachypink said:
Just be careful of what they might be treated with. I had some bamboo matts that I got for decor in my bearded dragon cage and when they got wet they would actually leak what they were treated with. As soon as I noticed this I took them out. I noticed because the water that would run off onto paper towels wasn't clear it was a reddish brown.

The set up looks great! I love the idea of having it on a vanity for drainage.
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I didn't even think about this! I wonder if they'll be okay in there? I will say so far they've gotten wet several times and I haven't noticed any water running off or anything like that, I did wash them really well in hot soapy water
 
lily2521 said:
I didn't even think about this! I wonder if they'll be okay in there? I will say so far they've gotten wet several times and I haven't noticed any water running off or anything like that, I did wash them really well in hot soapy water
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this was just my my experience. I would say watch it closely. My fear is wet + heat lamp might = toxins if it is sealed with a non safe sealant or something.
 
Doesn't anyone get their branches from trees anymore? lol. Instead of buying something from walmart or target you can take that money and invest in a pair of hand pruners. Walk outside and clip a couple branches from your yard or a local park. The only thing to be concerned about is pesticides which is more likely when purchasing from a store that has these for decoration. If your getting them from your yard you should know if they have been sprayed.
Cleaning the branches with soap and water is enough to make them safe in most cases. It also makes it easier to setup your cage if you run a length of chain from side to side on the ceiling of the cage to hang everything from the top including a hanging vine in a pot. Keeping a lot of stuff on the bottom will be a bit of a hassel after the inevitable poop starts collecting. Hope this helps!
 
reptoman said:
Doesn't anyone get their branches from trees anymore? lol. Instead of buying something from walmart or target you can take that money and invest in a pair of hand pruners. Walk outside and clip a couple branches from your yard or a local park. The only thing to be concerned about is pesticides which is more likely when purchasing from a store that has these for decoration. If your getting them from your yard you should know if they have been sprayed.
Cleaning the branches with soap and water is enough to make them safe in most cases. It also makes it easier to setup your cage if you run a length of chain from side to side on the ceiling of the cage to hang everything from the top including a hanging vine in a pot. Keeping a lot of stuff on the bottom will be a bit of a hassel after the inevitable poop starts collecting. Hope this helps!
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I was going to ask this question anyway, but since you brought it up here:D......

Are any branches safe or are there certain trees to stay away from?
 
reptoman said:
Doesn't anyone get their branches from trees anymore? lol. Instead of buying something from walmart or target you can take that money and invest in a pair of hand pruners. Walk outside and clip a couple branches from your yard or a local park. The only thing to be concerned about is pesticides which is more likely when purchasing from a store that has these for decoration. If your getting them from your yard you should know if they have been sprayed.
Cleaning the branches with soap and water is enough to make them safe in most cases. It also makes it easier to setup your cage if you run a length of chain from side to side on the ceiling of the cage to hang everything from the top including a hanging vine in a pot. Keeping a lot of stuff on the bottom will be a bit of a hassel after the inevitable poop starts collecting. Hope this helps!
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Lol, I actually went back and fourth for a while trying to decide what to do about branches, in the end I didn't take branches from my yard because for a few reasons. All we have is pine trees, we live in an association and I didn't want to get in any hot water with them for cutting the trees, and mostly, I have horrible tree pollen allergies and I was worried about baking the branches in my house (I really don't know if this is a legitimate concern or just me being paranoid, but didn't want to take any chances!). And in all honestly it's been cold and windy out and I was too lazy to go elsewhere to look :)
 
This is where all my vines/branches come from. I have around 300 acres to collect from so for me its easy. I don't spend money on that part and instead save it for lights, plants, and anything else I add. I found this awesome hickory branch that is one of my reptiles cage. Best wood ever.
 
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