Just Got the Ultimate Set Up Kit From Screameleons

[ChameleonAlley]

Just wondering if you all think I will need anything else? Does anyone have any tips once I get my chameleon? Where would the best place to place her in the house be? I ask because I don't know if the living room is suitable, there is a tv in there? How should I control the lighting for day and night? Also, even though the kit has an automatic mister, should I also get a humidifier to run by the cage? Thanks a ton for any responses.

 

[meaghan]

Get a light timer from either home depot or a pet store (They are way cheaper at home depot!) and set to a 12 hour cycle for the winter. I like 8:00am-8:00pm but your chameleon will adjust to whatever you set it as.

Also you probably won't need a humidifier with the habba mist. Set up the enclosure and test run it for a couple of days with all the timers and measure the temps and humidity and that should give you an idea of alterations before your chameleon comes home. This will greatly minimize stress if everything is in basic working order before arrival.

 

[gmotdot]

Is this the kit you are talking about?

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Yes that's the one. Thank you both for the responses! Is it true that I need to run two lights, one for basking and one on constant? Also, do you all know where I should buy food online that is cheaper than going to petco? Oh, one more thing. I was wanting to put the cage and chameleon in the living room. We do have a television in there. I don't know if this will be a stressor for her/him. We're not loud or anything or listen to the tv loud, but I want to create the most comfortable atmosphere for it. Again, you all rock for the help.

 

[gmotdot]

Yes that's the one.

I'm sorry, but that kit is a waste of money!!

The enclosure provided is TINY (18"x12"x20") and will need to be replaced within the year. You'd be better off spending the money up front for a larger enclosure and isolating a section for your cham when they are small than getting this unit and having to replace it within the year.

The Habba Mist just downright isn't a very good product... I've had multiple issues with this product (multiple units) and eventually ended up with a MistKing solution (another member of this site) where I should have started to begin with. (At regular retail cost, the MistKing basic setup and the Habba Mist cost the same price!)

The Zoo Med Daylight Blue bulb is over-priced and unnecessary, although, it's not the biggest issue in this setup...

If it's still possible to get your money back for this "kit", I would do so and spend the money elsewhere investing in something that will last you and your cham for years to come!

Is it true that I need to run two lights, one for basking and one on constant?

You need to provide your cham with a UVB light source (fluorescent ReptiSun 5.0) as well as a basking heat source ~12 hours a day. Depending on where you live, some people are able to provide adequate natural light by placing the cham outside several hours a day... if this isn't possible, the bulbs are required for you cham's well being!

 

[ChameleonAlley]

I'm sorry, but that kit is a waste of money!!

The enclosure provided is TINY (18"x12"x20") and will need to be replaced within the year. You'd be better off spending the money up front for a larger enclosure and isolating a section for your cham when they are small than getting this unit and having to replace it within the year.

The Habba Mist just downright isn't a very good product... I've had multiple issues with this product (multiple units) and eventually ended up with a MistKing solution (another member of this site) where I should have started to begin with. (At regular retail cost, the MistKing basic setup and the Habba Mist cost the same price!)

The Zoo Med Daylight Blue bulb is over-priced and unnecessary, although, it's not the biggest issue in this setup...

If it's still possible to get your money back for this "kit", I would do so and spend the money elsewhere investing in something that will last you and your cham for years to come!



You need to provide your cham with a UVB light source (fluorescent ReptiSun 5.0) as well as a basking heat source ~12 hours a day. Depending on where you live, some people are able to provide adequate natural light by placing the cham outside several hours a day... if this isn't possible, the bulbs are required for you cham's well being!

Just pm'd you.

 

[ColorCham427]

I'm sorry, but that kit is a waste of money!!

The enclosure provided is TINY (18"x12"x20") and will need to be replaced within the year. You'd be better off spending the money up front for a larger enclosure and isolating a section for your cham when they are small than getting this unit and having to replace it within the year.

The Habba Mist just downright isn't a very good product... I've had multiple issues with this product (multiple units) and eventually ended up with a MistKing solution (another member of this site) where I should have started to begin with. (At regular retail cost, the MistKing basic setup and the Habba Mist cost the same price!)

The Zoo Med Daylight Blue bulb is over-priced and unnecessary, although, it's not the biggest issue in this setup...

If it's still possible to get your money back for this "kit", I would do so and spend the money elsewhere investing in something that will last you and your cham for years to come!



You need to provide your cham with a UVB light source (fluorescent ReptiSun 5.0) as well as a basking heat source ~12 hours a day. Depending on where you live, some people are able to provide adequate natural light by placing the cham outside several hours a day... if this isn't possible, the bulbs are required for you cham's well being!

I tend to disagree with you dude. Vincent knows whats best for your chameleon and its well being. and Vincent certainly doesnt sell something because of what he pays and what he can profit. he truely cares about the animals and makes sure he provides u the best.

The cage is the size because of the animal itself and it is MUCH easier to catch food within that side range. You could always save the cage for other purposes!

The daylight bulb is awesome in my opinion. it shows the true colors of the inside with that exact bulb.


Habba Mister on the other hand.. well.. ive never had any experience using it, but i havnt heard much positive things about it. havnt heard anything too outrageous but the MistKing def. takes the cake.

you could always save money and construct ur own misting system, BUT, im not sure if ur planning on getting a collection of chameleons! although that does seem to happen to most of us! lol.


good luck and i'd def. give this cage a go, Vinny knows what hes doing and wouldnt provide you with something that doesnt suit ur chameleon perfectly.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

I'm confused. Is the mister that comes with this a piece of crap? I don't mind buying a larger cage later, as I'm sure I could use a smaller cage. It seems nice to get the bulbs, supplements, temp gauges and everything. I don't know.l......

 

[gmotdot]

I tend to disagree with you dude. Vincent knows whats best for your chameleon and its well being. and Vincent certainly doesnt sell something because of what he pays and what he can profit. he truely cares about the animals and makes sure he provides u the best.
...

I don't know Vincent, I'm sure he has nothing but the best interest in the chameleon well being, but this is a marketing package -- it's business. The hood is oversized and could likely carry over to a larger enclosure, the upfront cost of an enclosure that isn't even good for a year isn't reasonable (unless you plan to reuse later), of course you'd have to buy another hood!? The Habba Mist I DO have extensive experience with... 5 returned units in 2 years! They are no good!

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Which Mist King is sufficient? The $99.00 one?

http://www.mistking.com/Misting-Systems-p-1-c-249.html

 

[Fearaffect]

Your a beginning cham. owner and this is fine for just that. Once u get your feet wet a bit, then you can upgrade to what u want with the experience and knowledge that u have learned from the rest of us.

The Habba Mister is ........................................debatable on a 1 cage setup......it'll be fine for what u got......but after 2 months, you'll be yearning for the mistking.......I still use a hand pump for my inside cages....and have a patio misting system for my outside ones.


Go with what u have, enjoy your Cham. and post pics and all the questions that your mind can think of......we are here to help and u are now part of our "family" WELCOME!!!!

 

[gmotdot]

Which Mist King is sufficient? The $99.00 one?

http://www.mistking.com/Misting-Systems-p-1-c-249.html

Yes... For a single enclosure that will more than suffice!

 

[ChameleonAlley]

That's great! I'm getting the Mist King then.

 

[Gluuvan]

Kwelp the habba mist will work perfectly fine for 1 cham. I started out with vincent's starter kit and have upgraded quite a bit since then but everything he sold me was on par for raising a very healthy Panther chameleon. Who is one stud now. Gmotdot is right about the mistking being a better setup but i would focus on the setup you have for now and keep things more simple to begin with.

 

[Rocky]

Good luck with your cham. I think you have a good set up for him.

A few things to remember though.
-You should always have 2 lights on. The basking lamp which is like a house light bulb is what allows them to warm up so they can digest their food. The UVB Bulb is the strip bulb that gives your chameleon the stuff tha it would usually be getting from the sun.

Where ever you put the basking bulb make sure there is a place that the cham can perch under it. Not directly under it so it doesn't get to hot but in that area. Then check the temps on that perch for his basking temperatures.

-Make sure you set up your entire setup before your cham arrives and check all the temps / humidity levels. I think the set up should have guide lines for you.

-Real plants are always better than fakes. You should go out and get a pothos plant (vine) and a ficus / schleffera (umbrella plant) / or a hibiscus. The pothos is good for making little walkways for your cham and the other 3 are good for a basis of the environment.

-Crickets are a good staple diet, but silk worms / horn worms / fruit flies / super worms / and other insects are good to supplement with so they don't get bored with crickets.

-A general rule of thumb for feeders is if it's wider than the gap between the chams eyes the feeder is to big. (except for a few exceptions with soft bodied worms like hornworms and silk worms)

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Hey thanks for all the info everyone! I'm a little torn now. I emailed screameleons to cancel my order for the set up. I hate to do this, as I kind of jumped the gun and bought the set up. I've heard nothing but good things about them and Vince and their knowledge. I plan to buy my Screameleon! from them.

I'm torn because I don't mind spending the money to get a little larger cage. Basically, my concern is the cage size and the habbamist. It sounds like the mist king is better and I'd rather have a larger cage even if I use the smaller cage later. I hate to buy the habbamist that I've heard lots of people having issues with. I know I'll get the supplements and probably the bulbs from them. Dang, I wish they had a bigger cage that you could supplement.

 

[jesses]

I agree. If they had the option to get a different sized cage, i'm all for their kit.

 

[meaghan]

personally i think the screameleons ultimate set up package is awesome (excluding habba mist) I mean depending on the age of chameleon you are getting you really don't want to overwhelm a 3 month panther in a giant enclosure(unless sectioned off accordingly) The habba mist is decent and it is a good system to start with especially if you only have 1 cham. Also the rest of the accessories easily transfer to a larger cage, that is why the light fixture is longer. Also they set you up with the proper UVB bulb and heat bulb (depending on where you live) You also get a digital thermometer and a hydrometer, also you get a $30.00 credit towards the purchase of your chameleon! On top of it all you get the 30 day health guarentee. Speaking from experience there is nothing worse than getting a chameleon for the first time and have it go right downhill and crash right as your 5 day health guarentee runs out.
Anyways, starting to go on a bit of a rant here (sorry). I think screameleons is a awesome company and after doing allot of research you can tell that they really care about chameleons and they are not so much in it for making a ton of money. Also on the website if you go to info they have videos of how to properly set up your enclosure and how to easily acclimate your new cham.

In conclusion pretty much the only thing you would need to upgrade is your cage to a decent size, most commonly this size from LLL reptile. They frequently go on sale as well so I would buy one when you see it on sale and then keep until he is ready for it.
LLL REPTILE
and i guess you would want a better misting system too...

 

[Danicuteeyes]

personally i think the screameleons ultimate set up package is awesome (excluding habba mist) I mean depending on the age of chameleon you are getting you really don't want to overwhelm a 3 month panther in a giant enclosure(unless sectioned off accordingly) The habba mist is decent and it is a good system to start with especially if you only have 1 cham. Also the rest of the accessories easily transfer to a larger cage, that is why the light fixture is longer. Also they set you up with the proper UVB bulb and heat bulb (depending on where you live) You also get a digital thermometer and a hydrometer, also you get a $30.00 credit towards the purchase of your chameleon! On top of it all you get the 30 day health guarentee. Speaking from experience there is nothing worse than getting a chameleon for the first time and have it go right downhill and crash right as your 5 day health guarentee runs out.
Anyways, starting to go on a bit of a rant here (sorry). I think screameleons is a awesome company and after doing allot of research you can tell that they really care about chameleons and they are not so much in it for making a ton of money. Also on the website if you go to info they have videos of how to properly set up your enclosure and how to easily acclimate your new cham.

In conclusion pretty much the only thing you would need to upgrade is your cage to a decent size, most commonly this size from LLL reptile. They frequently go on sale as well so I would buy one when you see it on sale and then keep until he is ready for it.
LLL REPTILE
and i guess you would want a better misting system too...

For sure, get the cage there!! I love my 18x18x36 LLL reptile cage...
I recently made a custom dripper SandraChameleon posted about...it's really awesome and inexpensive lol
Drippers

Everything else I got either online or in stores...
Reptarium Hood
Reptisun 5.0 UVB 18"

search around!! I'm sure there are cheap reptile stores around you that'll sell items and feeders cheaper....or you can buy the feeders in bulk online
Mulberryfarms Feeders
LLLreptile Feeders

I'm a recently new chameleon owner...about 4 days now xD
but this forum has helped me alot before i bought it...
just get some knowledge before you get the panther...it'll help you in the long run

 

[andresaveiro]

im about to buy the same thing, from screameleons. Let me know how everything goes!!! we can keep in touch with tips and stuff like that.