Meller's Chameleon Suggestions

No lights inside the cage-dangerous as stated. You can set them right on top of the cage and use fake vines about 7-8" from the top so that they can bask in the light. DO you have a screen cage or Reptarium (black mesh)?
 
Breeding ground for bacteria?

Welcome to the forums and the world of chameleons! It sounds like you've been doing your research and are on the right track. Foggers aren't bad for chams, they just tend to break quickly. I personally use a humidifier for my chams. Misters are great additions, especially for Mellers which like to drink a lot. Actually your waterfall should be taken out as they don't usually drink from them and unless you are cleaning it out every single day it's just a breeding ground for bacteria. What are you using to gutload your crickets and what powdered supplements are you going to use?

Are waterfalls a breeding ground for bacteria? I've spoken to the Chameleon exhibit designers at my local museum and aquarists about using water waterfalls. The aquarium pond pump guy said that moving water won't harbour bacteria and only stagnant water harbours bacteria. A major museum in the UK uses a false bottom in the Panther Chameleon exhibit that uses an underground reseviour that pumps the water up the background and over the top trickling down and back into the reseviour. They've had this system for years now. It would really open doors for the chameleon community to investigate methods that would enable more realistic exhibits. Not wanting to be contraversial just investigating what people think on the subject.
 
I wondered the same thing. I got the waterfall because it had a filter a the water would be dripping over rocks not a fast current but like dipping water over leaves. But I'm new to this. I was think of setting it up outside the enclosure for awhile then having the water tested for bacteria by the fish store. Worth a try anyways.
 
Waterfalls full of chameleon poop harbor bacteria regardless if the water is moving or not! :) Realistic exhibits would require people to utilize entire rooms.

As for the exhibit you are talking about with the false bottom, unless they have an amazing filtration system it would be interesting for them to see what is in a sample of that water.
 
waterfalls arent genreally used because they dont really give much help , chameleons do not drink from waterfalls but waterdroplets from leaves...and waterfalls do not reall help much with humidity cmpared to having live plants and misting sessions everdayday for a chameleon.

but most people would like the waterfall for decorative /natural look purposes rather than the benefit forthe chameleon.

but interesting find pennington:)
 
I was there too. I'm pretty sure I saw the Meller's you got. Was it at a table in the middle and not along the edges of the room?
 
Well he looked really good. Meller's are extremely hard to sex from what I understand so you may not know for a while. Be sure and get him to a vet for a fecal though. All wild caught animals need it.
 
Are waterfalls a breeding ground for bacteria? I've spoken to the Chameleon exhibit designers at my local museum and aquarists about using water waterfalls. The aquarium pond pump guy said that moving water won't harbour bacteria and only stagnant water harbours bacteria. A major museum in the UK uses a false bottom in the Panther Chameleon exhibit that uses an underground reseviour that pumps the water up the background and over the top trickling down and back into the reseviour. They've had this system for years now. It would really open doors for the chameleon community to investigate methods that would enable more realistic exhibits. Not wanting to be contraversial just investigating what people think on the subject.

that is simply not true. bacteria will grow in moving water. i run aquariums that utilizes good bacteria for filtration and have pumps that move the water through it. now as far as having a water fall in an adults cage is it completely bad? IMHO im going to say if you tend to it every single day....NO. that is a chore in its self and i think many on here sway people against them for the fact that 99.9999999% of people will not clean them out like they should and it will harvest bad bacteria. false bottom: depending on the how big they set up the catch tank and if the chameleons urates or feces will ever drop onto the rocks that are over this. if there is a chance of this :( great thought but just a horrible idea for this application.
 
Yea, I was planning on calling to schedule an appointment tomorrow. I was also told to put some panicure on a cricket for him. I was going to ask the vet because I don't know whats safe for him. I also have read so many different opinions on supplements that I'm not sure which ones to give.
 
That's great! Sounds like she/he's in good hands! This forum is an amazing place to learn and ask questions. Keep us updated on how he does and more pics!
 
that is simply not true. bacteria will grow in moving water. i run aquariums that utilizes good bacteria for filtration and have pumps that move the water through it. now as far as having a water fall in an adults cage is it completely bad? IMHO im going to say if you tend to it every single day....NO. that is a chore in its self and i think many on here sway people against them for the fact that 99.9999999% of people will not clean them out like they should and it will harvest bad bacteria. false bottom: depending on the how big they set up the catch tank and if the chameleons urates or feces will ever drop onto the rocks that are over this. if there is a chance of this :( great thought but just a horrible idea for this application.

The set up is like this, (I don't have sizes but it is large) clay balls at the bottom and topped up with water and a pump. Over this goes a peat panel that is cut to size and positioned over the water and clay balls. Plants are grown from this. An interesting set up and looks amazing.
 
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