Exo-Terra with what kind of substrate?

[stasisb5a4]

(Flame suit on) I'm new with newbie questions. I got an exo-terra 18x18x24 glass case for my chameleon(haven't bought it yet) and was wondering what kind of substrate should I put in it? I know that screens are better but I got this as a gift. Wanted to do research before buying my first chameleon.

 

[chromewolf7]

No substrate, paper towel for easy cleanup. With substrate comes a high risk of impaction.
Also i use the exo-terra 18x18x24 and have no problems with ventilation. It keeps the humidity high, but the way it is designed it pulls fresh air from the front inlets and forces hot moist air through the top mesh.
What kind of chameleon are you looking at getting? I would learn all about gutloading your feeders as well as supplements for your chameleon before purchasing just so you have it all ready.

 

[stasisb5a4]

Ok, so no substrate. I'm planning on getting a Veiled Cham, found a breeder selling babies for $40, definitely getting a male. What about exo-terra's lighting? 5.0 uvb bulb will do and a regular 40w bulb for basking? And what's gutloading?(Feeding?)

 

[Meow Kitty]

Ok, so no substrate. I'm planning on getting a Veiled Cham, found a breeder selling babies for $40, definitely getting a male. What about exo-terra's lighting? 5.0 uvb bulb will do and a regular 40w bulb for basking? And what's gutloading?(Feeding?)

gutloading is where you load whatever your feeding your chameleon with healthy foods, vegis, fruits, supplements even.so i feed my chameleons a weird salad of odd vegis and a little bit letuce for water
when you said bulb is it like the long narrow tubes, those work best
and the basking really depends experiment with the bulbs

 

[stasisb5a4]

Didn't know that cham can be fed with vegis and fruits, beside crickets and worms. Good to know, as for bulbs, I'm buying the compact florescent uvb bulbs, not the long/straight ones. The canopy i'm getting uses 2 compact florescent bulbs. Thanks for replying guys.

 

[SpartyTessy]

Didn't know that cham can be fed with vegis and fruits, beside crickets and worms. Good to know, as for bulbs, I'm buying the compact florescent uvb bulbs, not the long/straight ones. The canopy i'm getting uses 2 compact florescent bulbs. Thanks for replying guys.

I tried that option and it does not work that well. The compact florescent sticks out to far therefore not allowing you to place it flatly on top of the cage along with the basking bulb being in the same housing therefore does not allow for a greater flexibility in the placement of the uvb and basking bulb. Depending on your setup you may need to move just the basking bulb but because they are housed together will not be an option. The compact florescent also does not have as great a radius for putting out UVB as the long tube does. I ditched my compact for a tube. Oh and like others said absolutely no substrate.

 

[stasisb5a4]

I tried that option and it does not work that well. The compact florescent sticks out to far therefore not allowing you to place it flatly on top of the cage along with the basking bulb being in the same housing therefore does not allow for a greater flexibility in the placement of the uvb and basking bulb. Depending on your setup you may need to move just the basking bulb but because they are housed together will not be an option. The compact florescent also does not have as great a radius for putting out UVB as the long tube does. I ditched my compact for a tube. Oh and like others said absolutely no substrate.

I'm not buying the canopy that uses uvb bulb and basking bulb in the same housing, it's this one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016BOYZ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I'm going to use the basking bulb separately in a porcelain lamp.

 

[froggielog]

gutloading is where you load whatever your feeding your chameleon with healthy foods, vegis, fruits, supplements even.so i feed my chameleons a weird salad of odd vegis and a little bit letuce for water
when you said bulb is it like the long narrow tubes, those work best
and the basking really depends experiment with the bulbs

I would recommend you read sandrachameleons blogs, she has GREAT info on gut loading
https://www.chameleonforums.com/exo-terra-what-kind-substrate-88305/blogs...l-information/

But in general gut loading with
apples
oranges
romanie lettuce
carrots
butternut squash
and other fruits and veggies is a must,
Also a dry gut load such as a DIY in her blog or stuff like bug burger and super load is also very beneficial.( you can find these at the links or at the sites sponsors)
http://www.store.repashy.com/superload-4-oz-bag.html.
http://www.store.repashy.com/bug-burger-4-oz-bag.html


Just be sure to double check any fruit or veggie you feed to them, some are toxic

 

[stasisb5a4]

I would recommend you read sandrachameleons blogs, she has GREAT info on gut loading
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...l-information/

But in general gut loading with
apples
oranges
romanie lettuce
carrots
butternut squash
and other fruits and veggies is a must,
Also a dry gut load such as a DIY in her blog or stuff like bug burger and super load is also very beneficial.( you can find these at the links or at the sites sponsors)
http://www.store.repashy.com/superload-4-oz-bag.
http://www.store.repashy.com/bug-burger-4-oz-bag.html


Just be sure to double check any fruit or veggie you feed to them, some are toxic

The first link isn't working, it's incomplete.

 

[froggielog]

oops sorry, fixed it

 

[stasisb5a4]

oops sorry, fixed it

Nope, says page not found.

 

[SpartyTessy]

Here is the link https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html