Greenhouse, Metal Halide, and Plant Photos
- Thread starter Motherlode Chameleon
- Start date
Todnedo
Avid Member
I just dont think a greenhouse in a cold climate would be worth the trouble.
even if its heated you still need uv lighting and if your lighting a green house it kinda defeats the purpose.
In the summer it will be warm enough to keep them outside anyway.
I'm not nocking you I just think its too much work and money to be able to keep the chams outside in cool weather.
even if its heated you still need uv lighting and if your lighting a green house it kinda defeats the purpose.
In the summer it will be warm enough to keep them outside anyway.
I'm not nocking you I just think its too much work and money to be able to keep the chams outside in cool weather.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I thought the same as well when I first heard about metal halides in greenhouses in cold areas being used for plants. However the producers of these systems have got a lot of experience and knocked the cost of lighting a greenhouse with metal halide down quite a bit down to practical levels as well as heating and cooling. I could put tube lights over all the cages in the greenhouse and turn off the misting system and mist buy hand. However all my chameleons by far prefer the high humidity and the extra water the misting systems provide which make me reluctant to use tube lights. One plus with a greenhouse is that all the insects and reptiles are away from living areas which make the cost of paying for heating and cooling worth the expense.
Keeping the greenhouse warm in the winter and cool in the summer is a huge endeavor. If you are considering keeping chameleons in a greenhouse you have to be prepared to accommodate these problems. The majority of heating is normally mostly during the months of January through March. I say the biggest endeavor is during the summer (in my area of California) is keeping the greenhouse cool during June through August when we have got 100 plus weather and I normally either turn on the fine mister all day or during the hottest parts of the day or bring the chameleons in the house. Actually a sun room that I mentioned before could be hooked up to a house thermostat.
Keeping the greenhouse warm in the winter and cool in the summer is a huge endeavor. If you are considering keeping chameleons in a greenhouse you have to be prepared to accommodate these problems. The majority of heating is normally mostly during the months of January through March. I say the biggest endeavor is during the summer (in my area of California) is keeping the greenhouse cool during June through August when we have got 100 plus weather and I normally either turn on the fine mister all day or during the hottest parts of the day or bring the chameleons in the house. Actually a sun room that I mentioned before could be hooked up to a house thermostat.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
My Parsons and Panther that I have got love the the light intensity the greenhouse provides and one thing that outdoor cages can not provide in my area (that makes the Parsons thrive) is constant high humidity. The extra green plants in the greenhouse does the chameleons a lot of good as well.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think ideally the best way to fill UVA and UVB requirements for reptiles in a greenhouse is with a covering that lets these UV rays through something the same or similar to what Spartech produces. If I find a system that works using Metal Halides I think it should be used only as a supplement or a second option.
As for using greenhouses year round or for just overall day to day usage the lighting (light intensity), regulating greenhouse temperature (year round), humidity, watering, and extra greenery creates a tropical forest setting that tops most conditions that could be provided for captive chameleons and should not be overlooked as an option for chameleon husbandry.
As for using greenhouses year round or for just overall day to day usage the lighting (light intensity), regulating greenhouse temperature (year round), humidity, watering, and extra greenery creates a tropical forest setting that tops most conditions that could be provided for captive chameleons and should not be overlooked as an option for chameleon husbandry.
summoner12
Avid Member
A greenhouse is a great way to keep chams.... you just need to be ready to handle all aspects... It isn't cheap and needs to be monitored.
