Enclosure for Baby Veiled

[Pasta]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post on the forums, and I'm completely new to reptile ownership, so bear with me. I'd like to purchase an infant veiled chameleon. I've set up a 16" x 16" x 30" enclosure, and it came with some fake dangling leaves and a fake vine. I plan on setting a small pothos or other recommended plant in the center of the enclosure.
I've read differing opinions on temperature of basking spot and distance to the heat bulb. I have a 60W heat bulb that is 4" from the basking spot. I understand this is may be considered too close and a safety hazard to the chameleon, but even at a distance of 4", I can only manage to get the temperature to hover around 85 degrees max. Is this temperature acceptable, or is there something I should be doing to raise it?
Also, the ambient temperature in the room is 72 degrees; with how weak the heat lamp is, even at the very top of the enclosure, I imagine that the cage will also have similar temperatures towards the middle and bottom. Is this acceptable?
What I have in the enclosure right now is only a rough layout of what I'd like to do before getting the chameleon, but I wanted to make sure I was on the right track so as not to harm the chameleon once I do purchase one.
Thank you!

 

[Beman]

Welcome! This will help and others will chime in. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
I would look at all the resource links as well.

 

[Pasta]

Welcome! This will help and others will chime in. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
I would look at all the resource links as well.

Thank you!

 

[KamaKamaChameleon!]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[celeste_knitter]

Welcome! Great job at setting everything up before getting your veiled!

What kind of UVB light are you going to use? A T5 HO line at type is recommended over the coiled type. They can be ordered online & are generally not found in pet stores. The care sheet will help a lot. Remember these are arboreal animals, so your plants need to cover the upper parts of your cage. Real plants help maintain constant humidity & provide safe cover. Chameleons drink water from the leaves of the plants.

If you are able to mist for up to 5 minutes several times per day then manual misting can work. Otherwise a misting system is the way to go - mist king is one of the top brands & will last a long time. There are others though. Do your research here on the forum.

Congrats & welcome!