Hello everyone, my name is Brandon and I am new here. I have been interested in Chameleons for some time now and am seriously considering getting into this hobby. I have a 125 Gallon tank that is practically brand new. I am wanting to turn this into a terrarium for a Chameleon. What I want to know is, what would I need to get started in this hobby for my tank? If there are any others out there that have used fish tanks, please feel free to chime in. I am talking everything. Lighting, substrate, heating, lid, anything you can think of to where I can get started. O just want to do this right. I am really interested in a Jacksons Chameleon and was wondering if my 125 would be sufficient for one. Thanks so much to everyone and its good to be a member here!
How would you set up a 125 Gallon tank?
- Thread starter Brandon10
- Start date
Rune
New Member
Hi! I dont suggest putting a cham in a glass cage.. You are suppose to have screen, but I think it might be ok for a jackson.
You need two lights. One for heat, And one for uvb. For heat I suggest a normal household bulb. Never go over 60 watts. For the uvb, get a reptisun 5.0.
You should turn all your lights off on a 12-14 hour cycle. I suggest 12. You can buy a timer at lowes/home depot for two sockets for about 7-10$.
You chameleon will need to be misted for water. Chameleons do not drink from a bowl, and they cannot see standing water. You must mist to keep them hydrated. I belive you need a fogger for jacksons.
Do not use substrate. Chams tend to eat it, and die from it blocking their pipes.
Thats the basics, pretty much.
Edit:
Also, Please make sure the uvb does not go through the glass. You will need a screen hood or something that isnt glass. You should only use that tank if its tall. Chams like to climb. For the vines, use fake leaves and vines you get at petstores. You can also find cheap fake plants at craft stores.
You need two lights. One for heat, And one for uvb. For heat I suggest a normal household bulb. Never go over 60 watts. For the uvb, get a reptisun 5.0.
You should turn all your lights off on a 12-14 hour cycle. I suggest 12. You can buy a timer at lowes/home depot for two sockets for about 7-10$.
You chameleon will need to be misted for water. Chameleons do not drink from a bowl, and they cannot see standing water. You must mist to keep them hydrated. I belive you need a fogger for jacksons.
Do not use substrate. Chams tend to eat it, and die from it blocking their pipes.
Thats the basics, pretty much.
Edit:
Also, Please make sure the uvb does not go through the glass. You will need a screen hood or something that isnt glass. You should only use that tank if its tall. Chams like to climb. For the vines, use fake leaves and vines you get at petstores. You can also find cheap fake plants at craft stores.
camimom
New Member
Many people do not recommend glass, fro many reasons.
One thing is that chams enjoy climbing, so they need more height than width.
Many people use screen or mesh cages which provides more ventilation.
ALmost no one uses a substrate, as it is just something a cham can eat.
Lighting, 5.0 uvb bulb, 50-60 watt house bulb for basking.
Find Jannb on here. read her blogs. she has much information on stuff.
camimom
New Member
Ok, so more stuff.
Live plants keep humidity up. scheffelara, pothos, hybiscus are good, they are cham safe cuz some chams enjoy munching on them.
Crickets and dubia roaches are daily feeders, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, are treats not to be fed daily.
Crickets are to be gutloaded (fed stuff). potatoes, carrots, oranges, apples, dandilion greens, mustard greens, bee pollen. If you dont know if they should eat it, ask.
Chams have to be supplemented. plain calcium with no d3 or phosphorus dust on every cricket feeding. calcium with d3 2 times a month, multivitamin 2 times a month. (this is the normal recommended schedule).
They have to be misted 2-5 times a day for a minute or two. if you dont want to do it by hand or wont be home, buy a mister, mist king is good (but pricey)
do not use water bowls or waterfalls. they dont drink standing water and these things can grow bacteria. they drink dripping water or water sitting on plant leaves.
remember, the more hieght they have, the happier they are! Good luck!
Live plants keep humidity up. scheffelara, pothos, hybiscus are good, they are cham safe cuz some chams enjoy munching on them.
Crickets and dubia roaches are daily feeders, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, are treats not to be fed daily.
Crickets are to be gutloaded (fed stuff). potatoes, carrots, oranges, apples, dandilion greens, mustard greens, bee pollen. If you dont know if they should eat it, ask.
Chams have to be supplemented. plain calcium with no d3 or phosphorus dust on every cricket feeding. calcium with d3 2 times a month, multivitamin 2 times a month. (this is the normal recommended schedule).
They have to be misted 2-5 times a day for a minute or two. if you dont want to do it by hand or wont be home, buy a mister, mist king is good (but pricey)
do not use water bowls or waterfalls. they dont drink standing water and these things can grow bacteria. they drink dripping water or water sitting on plant leaves.
remember, the more hieght they have, the happier they are! Good luck!
Thank yall so much. If I were to use a glass cage, would it be okay if I were to just add way more things for them to climb on such as a TON of vines and plants? I am wanting to do a massive rainforest type set up in there. Not something so that I can just see him easier, but something that would be closer to his natural habitat. I was going to get a large mesh screen lid for the tank for ventilation if that would help. If I do use my tank and have tons of things for a Cham to climb on, what other types should I consider? I love all the info Im getting, I know I am going to like it here!
rockndiver
Member
I think the one concern, as posted earlier, is the height of the tank. Most chameleon species that are commonly kept are arboreal and like to climb, and will be more comfortable with more vertical space than horizontal. You might want to look into Pygmy Chameleons. You'll find tons of good info here, just start searching and keep asking questions!
Rune
New Member
As camimom said, those live plants are good.
You can use sticks from outside but please wash them first, and make sure no pesticides. And again, hobby lobby and michaels have fake plants that look cool. Also look up petco and check out there vines.
seanUTD
New Member
Clear the air
SO Im gonna clear the air in this thread before it takes off... It is PERFECTLY okay to keep chams in glass enclosures because most are MADE for ventilation... It is even RECOMMENDED in dryer climate such in Europe and is the standard in the UK.... Now an aquarium is a different story mainly due to height... The cham needs height more than ground in MOST cases but in the case of pygmy's these can be made to work. So if this is an aquarium then no just for height and the airflow leaves a little to be desired... But guys there are many threads on this subject so please don't generalize when it comes to glass enclosures
Aquariums=no
TERRARIUM= yes, in many cases
I hope this clears the air
EDIT: For the OP WELCOME!! And enjoy! There are many people here to help and will be glad to answer all of your questions..
I will say that no an aquarium will not be okay for a Jacksons as the glass will not allow as much of a release of hot air that will build up and Jackson's require lower temps than other chameleons... Hope that helps!
SO Im gonna clear the air in this thread before it takes off... It is PERFECTLY okay to keep chams in glass enclosures because most are MADE for ventilation... It is even RECOMMENDED in dryer climate such in Europe and is the standard in the UK.... Now an aquarium is a different story mainly due to height... The cham needs height more than ground in MOST cases but in the case of pygmy's these can be made to work. So if this is an aquarium then no just for height and the airflow leaves a little to be desired... But guys there are many threads on this subject so please don't generalize when it comes to glass enclosures
Aquariums=no
TERRARIUM= yes, in many cases
I hope this clears the air
EDIT: For the OP WELCOME!! And enjoy! There are many people here to help and will be glad to answer all of your questions..
I will say that no an aquarium will not be okay for a Jacksons as the glass will not allow as much of a release of hot air that will build up and Jackson's require lower temps than other chameleons... Hope that helps!
Thanks so much. Well, I guess I am going to have to rethink this then. This is nothing personal to anyone that owns a Pygmy, but I just dont have that much of an interest in them. This is PURELY my personal interest. Well, I guess I am going to have to wait for now. Thanks anyways guys for clearing things up!
This is nothing personal to anyone that owns a Pygmy, but I just dont have that much of an interest in them. This is PURELY my personal interest. Well, I guess I am going to have to wait for now. Thanks anyways guys for clearing things up!
Rune
New Member
Thanks so much. Well, I guess I am going to have to rethink this then.
Can you please post a picture? Dont loose hope. Chams are so much fun!
seanUTD
New Member
I don't have any pics of it right now, but the dimensions of the tank are 72" long, 24" height and 18" deep. I don't want to give up by any means! LOL I am going to own a Cam!
Yeah that height sounds bad unfortunately /: I would say just check here for building your own if you have the ability or check out one of the site sponsors like DIY cages for a good cage for a cham!
krknieriem
New Member
You could possibly stand your tank up vertically and make a screen door for the open side, you would have to separate the very top somehow so you could put uvb in there because the rays dont go through the glass but I have plexiglass velcro on 3 sides of my screen cage so I can keep the humidity levels up, You just got to think outside the box
drcrossfire
Avid Member
if you end up using this-- it might be a good idea to add a small fan (ie computer fan) to increase ventilation
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Aquariums just don't have the proper ventilation. There are many people who keep their chameleons in glass enclosures, but they are not fish tanks. Here Brandon, something for you to read https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/
Lizardlover
New Member
Glad someone put this out there. Glass cages are suitable for many species, BUT aquariums are best for fish, like the name suggests, they have poor ventiliation and are not suitable for chameleons.
