How is my chameleon setup?

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Hi I am a somewhat new chameleon owner and I would like to see if my setup is good. I have owned two chameleons in the past so I am relatively familiar with them. I am using both a uva/uvb lightbulb and a heating bulb.

 

[Wowbango]

So a couple things...switch to a linear UVA/UVB lighting fixture. Those CFL UVB bulbs are garbage and won't help your chameleon much. Assuming your climate allows you, switch to a VERTICAL screen cage, not glass. Being in a glass enclosure can cause respiratory problems for chameleons. If keeping humidity up is a concern, you can use shower curtains and similar items to assist. You have plenty of things for your chameleon to climb but you need more plant coverage. Your chameleon needs to feel secure and he needs to be able to hide if he wants to.

 

[Wowbango]

Also, you do not need a "heating bulb." A regular incandescent $1 bulb will work just fine and provide enough heat.

 

[JacksJill]

I hate to be the one to tell you this but that aquarium isn't going to get enough air circulation and will give your chameleon a lot of problems. Glass cages are ok but they have to have a way for air to flow up and thru them. Glass vivariums like exoterra and zoo med make that have a vent low in the front and a screen top can be used successfully. Less expensive screen cages are good also.
Chameleons like being up high like they live in the trees so low cages make them uneasy. They also like lots of plants to hide so they can feel secure. They also like tall cages so they can choose the right spot for heat or humidity as they need it.

 

[JacksJill]

This is a great source of info on chameleon care that may have come out since you last had a chameleon.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
This whole section is good info. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

I hate to be the one to tell you this but that aquarium isn't going to get enough air circulation and will give your chameleon a lot of problems. Glass cages are ok but they have to have a way for air to flow up and thru them. Glass vivariums like exoterra and zoo med make that have a vent low in the front and a screen top can be used successfully. Less expensive screen cages are good also.
Chameleons like being up high like they live in the trees so low cages make them uneasy. They also like lots of plants to hide so they can feel secure. They also like tall cages so they can choose the right spot for heat or humidity as they need it.

Ok thank you. I have done a bit of research on setups and many use screen tanks while others use glass terrariums. I have been to two pet stores where they have told me to use glass tanks, but others still recommend screens. Do you think a bigger tank will also work?

 

[JacksJill]

A larger aquarium will have the same problem. Glass vivariums are better for places with low humidity. Screen cages work best where there is high humidity. Screen cages can be adapted to hold humidity better by covering 2-3 sides in plastic sheeting.

 

[Syreptyon]

Ok thank you. I have done a bit of research on setups and many use screen tanks while others use glass terrariums. I have been to two pet stores where they have told me to use glass tanks, but others still recommend screens. Do you think a bigger tank will also work?

If you upgrade to a bigger glass enclosure, you have to switch from the aquarium-style one you're using. Screen is generally preferred because of the air flow it allows, but either way you have a veiled chameleon and need to have a cage at least 4 feet tall. Other than the air flow problems your current tank has, it is probably close to 4x too short

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

So a couple things...switch to a linear UVA/UVB lighting fixture. Those CFL UVB bulbs are garbage and won't help your chameleon much. Assuming your climate allows you, switch to a VERTICAL screen cage, not glass. Being in a glass enclosure can cause respiratory problems for chameleons. If keeping humidity up is a concern, you can use shower curtains and similar items to assist. You have plenty of things for your chameleon to climb but you need more plant coverage. Your chameleon needs to feel secure and he needs to be able to hide if he wants to.

Thanks, I understand that I do need more plants and such but may you please read my reply to the other user below? I am confused

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

A larger aquarium will have the same problem. Glass vivariums are better for places with low humidity. Screen cages work best where there is high humidity. Screen cages can be adapted to hold humidity better by covering 2-3 sides in plastic sheeting.

That is also what I heard, do you think that shower curtains will work, or correx sheets? I posted a pic of my other tank

 

[JacksJill]

Wowbango is saying the lights you have now that have the spiral CFL bulbs don't really supply enough UVB for a real cage. Linear T5 or T8 bulbs are much better. ZooMed reptisun fixtures and bulbs work well.

 

[JacksJill]

That is also what I heard, do you think that shower curtains will work, or correx sheets? I posted a pic of my other tank

Yes! that will be great especially if it is up off of the floor, maybe on a dresser or table. What size is it?
It will need some work.

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

Yes! that will be great especially if it is up off of the floor, maybe on a dresser or table. What size is it?
It will need some work.

I took one of the walls of and everything out , but it will obviously be put together and up on a dresser, it is pretty big I’ll measure once I return home

 

[JacksJill]

He's going to be much happier in there once it's all decked out with plants and lot of branches.

 

[JoshD49]

I'm using a shower curtain on my screen cage first for humidity because we run the A/C all day which brings down humidity and second to keep the water from the mister in the cage and not around the room of my office or on the walls. Even with the curtain on 3 sides the humidity levels were not where I wanted so I added an umbrella plant and now humidity has really stabilized. Adding a live plant has been the biggest improvement for me. I attached a photo of my setup.

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

I'm using a shower curtain on my screen cage first for humidity because we run the A/C all day which brings down humidity and second to keep the water from the mister in the cage and not around the room of my office or on the walls. Even with the curtain on 3 sides the humidity levels were not where I wanted so I added an umbrella plant and now humidity has really stabilized. Adding a live plant has been the biggest improvement for me. I attached a photo of my setup.

How long have you had your chameleon? Does it like that setup

 

[JoshD49]

I was going to make an official post but I just got him today and he has been very happy in the cage. I was doing a lot of setup and fine tuning to make sure all the parameters were dialed in before I bought him. I have been doing research and buying things here and there for a few months preparing for today.

I listened to everything people said here before I bought anything and asked a lot of questions. I purchased a few books and watched a lot of videos online. Obviously I'm not expert and was just telling you how I finally got to the humidity level I was looking for.

 

[Marlet_the_destroyer]

I was going to make an official post but I just got him today and he has been very happy in the cage. I was doing a lot of setup and fine tuning to make sure all the parameters were dialed in before I bought him. I have been doing research and buying things here and there for a few months preparing for today.

I listened to everything people said here before I bought anything and asked a lot of questions. I purchased a few books and watched a lot of videos online. Obviously I'm not expert and was just telling you how I finally got to the humidity level I was looking for.

Thank you bud

 

[amfire125]

I was going to make an official post but I just got him today and he has been very happy in the cage. I was doing a lot of setup and fine tuning to make sure all the parameters were dialed in before I bought him. I have been doing research and buying things here and there for a few months preparing for today.

I listened to everything people said here before I bought anything and asked a lot of questions. I purchased a few books and watched a lot of videos online. Obviously I'm not expert and was just telling you how I finally got to the humidity level I was looking for.

How's the humidity holding up? What are the gauges reading? I'm also getting nervous about keeping up my humidity with the AC running all day. I have digital meters that show low 40% humidity in and around my apartment, so that's not high enough. Today I worked a lot on plants and I've got options to add to the enclosure to help. I'm rambling, but anyways, how's your humidity holding up?

 

[JoshD49]

It's about 60% by the plant but only 40% at the top so I'm a little worried.