Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Looks good!
How high is too high?
- Thread starter Horaceunit
- Start date
Horaceunit
Established Member
Thinking I might try to get a couple of small plants for the floor. A fern might do ok in the bottom left.
If you have a 5.0 or 6% bulb you want 8-9 inches to the branch below the UVB bulb for an approximate 3 UVI. If you have a 10.0 or 12% bulb you want 11-12 inches to the branch below the UVB bulb for an approximate 3 UVI.
Horaceunit
Established Member
Beman would you get a UVB meter or a mistking first? I have a monsoon 2 to try and get humidity figured out (I already had it) and will get a mistking before I get a cham. Thinking the UVB might make more sense first.
You can guesstimate your levels with the info I gave above. I think being able to dial in humidity and misting is really important as well prior to getting the cham. If it were me I would base UVB off the info I gave you and dial in your humidity with the mist king because you’re gonna be able to do more with that and have specific time lengths etc. Then buy the solar meter prior to getting the Chamaeleon just to double check that your UVB levels are on point. The one good thing about having the fixture raised is if you get a baby that screen climbs it will be within safe limits.
Horaceunit
Established Member
Your info was why I raised the light above the top. Right around 8-9 inches from the basking branch now. Arcadia 6% 22 inch bulb. Thanks!
Perfect Then you should be right in that sweet spot of a three UVI at the basking branch.
Horaceunit
Established Member
I was itching to check it with a meter but I think you are right about the mistking. That way instead of bothering to try and set up the monsoon I can just wait a week until the mistking gets here!
Horaceunit
Established Member
Hey thanks for the comments! I came within a chameleons eyelash of ordering the solar-meter but decided to go for the mistking. I realized the hydration mounts I got from Dragon Strand have 2 holes for either the monsoon or mistking. That would mean putting a hole in the screen top and then having to put a second one in for the mistking and having a hole to cover later. Seems to make more sense to only have to set up misting once. So I went ahead and ordered a mistking from one of the forums sponsors Josh's Frogs. Thanks again for helping me keep my brain going!
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
As long as you already have the monsoon, I would get the UVB meter first. Looks like you're skilled enough to build one if preferable. DIY UVI meter Parts are allegedly around $20±
Those "guesstimates" are just that; my basking area (3.0 UVI) is 12" below the 6% bulb—measured by Solarmeter. There are variables to consider—one being the reflector on your multi-fluorescent fixture is not equivalent to those on Shenzen fixtures. Another is the color, mesh, & material of your top screen.
Horaceunit
Established Member
Currently the light is about 3 inches above the top and the basking branch is about 6 inches from the top. So right around 9 inches total away from the uvb bulb. Obviously I want to be sure about the actual level so I will be getting a meter in the next couple of weeks. Long before any miniture mountain Dragons take up residency!
Horaceunit
Established Member
And 3 at the basking site is supposed to be good I believe?
Horaceunit
Established Member
Here is under the cabinet. Bucket in the back is for drainage. Distilled water (an RO system is in the future but I'll manage with buying Distilled for now) and the right is where the mistking will go. Top is the reservoir and the pump will sit under the shelf. I know the shelf doesn't have to be this high to gravity feed the pump but I wanted to make sure I could easily get to the pump if necessary.
Horaceunit
Established Member
All the electrical connections/cords run up into the drawer. This way they are more protected from water. Even if the drain pan leaked in the middle it would have to get through half inch plywood first. Of course there is some extra storage room in the drawer too.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
So far I haven't need to get to the pump (though it's currently out in the open) but I have needed to get to the timer quite a few times, and I'm pretty sure that needs to be kept dry.
Horaceunit
Established Member
How much cord is there between the timer and the pump? I'd probably need 4 or 5 feet?
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Uh... I'd hesitate to call it cord—wire, maybe, and it's complex. Electronics aren't my strong suit.
There are 2 step-down transformers; one for 120v to the pump, and another for that voltage down to the timer. I haven't uncoiled the wire to the timer—haven't needed to for my setup. You can find the wiring connections in the instructions on the MK site.
Not much at all..... This will take some work on your part. Due to the adaptors that hook into the main electrical line. As you can see my electrical is on the right side and wet side is the left. There is like roughly 12 inches that comes from the mistking to hook up to the lower connector this was the farthest I could get these to plug ins away from my water.
