It's about that time

[wiszo1mt]

Hey everyone,

Well it is about that time! What time do you ask? Well its time to upgrade my baby girl's cage.

I'm home for the next few weeks with all the power tools any human can poses at my disposal, so it's time to build.

Couple questions (for builders and one general question)

The plan is to build a 24"x24"x48", out of some pine (would purchase at Lowes' or Home Depot)

So.

Is there any finish on the wood that may harm my Shiva?
Do I need to put a finish on the frame to prevent warping? (If so, do you have any brands I should look for?)

And my big too questions are as followed.

How do you build an accommodation for a drainage pot or cup inside a cage? (I'm not a fan of how I currently drain my cage, an seeing that I plan on getting a mistking, I need some advice from some veterans). I currently have my cage jimmy rigged with one of those ziplock food container. I poked a hole in the bottom of it and fill it up with water. I let the water drip onto my plant and I find where a majority of the water is landing, and place a cup in the cage for the water to collect in (it's kind of an intense process witch I would like to end)

Finally, a question for everyone, What kind of lighting do you use for your live plants? I've had this live plant (don't know the name of it, but it has been ok'd by the forum to use) and it has been in the cage for 5 months... but it looks like its on its last leg (I suspect lighting) and I really don't mind if it dies, but I wouldn't want my new plants in my cage to die. I plan on getting an umbrella tree,a pathos, and hibiscus in her cagge with her (Hopefully there is room hehe).

Thanks for reading, and if you have any advice, help a noobie out! haha

Thanks,
Matt

 

[wiszo1mt]

anyone?... not even advice on lighting (one main concern)

 

[laurie]

Hey I will gladly give advice, for what it is worth.
On lighting I use a double fixture with uvb on one side and a plant light on the other side. Then just a regular household bulb for basking. Sorry it is so simple but it works for me.

Drainage, not so simple, I drill holes in the bottom of my cage, make sure holes are not so big prey can get out, and put a dishpan type tub under the holes. I center 7 or 8 holes in about a 6 inch circle, make sure at least one heavy plant is near the middle so the water drains. That way plants stay watered by the mister as well as the chams being misted. I just empty the pans once a day. Ok I lied it is also simple - maybe that means I am simple????

 

[wiszo1mt]

thank you so much laurie,

with lighting what specific brands of lights do you use?

I see everyone saying crazy things on these forums and I don't know what they mean. like 5.0 or 6500k... Im just confused.

and are these bulbs the tubes that everyone suggest or the coiled ones?

 

[laurie]

thank you so much laurie,

with lighting what specific brands of lights do you use?

I see everyone saying crazy things on these forums and I don't know what they mean. like 5.0 or 6500k... Im just confused.

and are these bulbs the tubes that everyone suggest or the coiled ones?

They are the tube kind, I am still not willing to let a coiled type near my kids. I use Zoo Med Reptisun brand of lights. I just ordered 6 new ones from LLL reptile, where I buy most of my supplies. I ordered the 5.0 this time instead of the 10.0. The biggest difference I am aware of is the 5.0 only goes down 10" with uvb for the chameleon and the 10.0 goes down 20" with uvb for the chameleon. Is that too confusing or am I just lame? Add to that the fact that uvb bulbs need to be changed ever 6 months as they wear out but don't burn out. When they wear out the uvb is not sufficient for our chams. About the 6500K you need to pm summoner12 as he is the expert on that stuff. My plant light is the same kind of tube florescent light, but it is a plant light and I buy it at walmart.

For heat light also called a basking light, I buy the cheap dome fixitues at home depot and use regular household light bulbs. I stock several different watt form 25 to 100 watt so I can achieve what ever basking tekp that species of chameleon takes.I seem to have a variety of species of chameleons and it is growing all time completely on it's own.

It is after midnight so I am fairly worthless. If any of this is fuzzy or just stupid let me know and I will clear it up for yo tomorrow. If I can help with anything else feel free to pm me.

 

[wiszo1mt]

nope! you cleared so much up for me! thanks you so much!

 

[pssh]

The 6500k bulb is for the plant light. It has to do with the intesity of light or color or something (I dont pay much attention to these things. If it works, it works!) If you want you hibiscus to thrive, you want a 6500k plant bulb. Just look on the package for a number followed by a k. if it isn't 6500k, then its not good enough!

 

[draetish]

The plant light is made by GE or Phillips and it will say something like "Daylight" and you have to read the small print to find the 6500K which is the strongest. There will also be a # like T8, T12, etc. and that is the width of the tube. So when you buy your light fixture look for that "T" #. I was told at Lowes that most of the new bulbs will be T8 as they are more effecient (they are smaller around).

Regarding the drip/catch issue, I just built a cage and attached heavy duty plastic to the underside of the enclosure and put plastic screening on top. Then you just cut a hole in the plastic and place a large tub underneath and there you have it. Here's a pic.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-melleri-enclosure-42787/