mesh tank problems!

[buddah]

Hi,

ive just moved my cham into a 4ft high mesh tank from a 2.5ft one.

the problems im having are the obvious:

overall tank heating and humidity.

i care for my boy as best i can i try to give him everything he could possibly want. im more worried about the overall tank heating other than the humidity cause i can just buy more plants to put in to keep it up. ive heard covering the back and sides with something will help. but what should i use? i was thinking polythene sheets so i could still see in from the sides?

any help would be great, ill take all advice on board

 

[camimom]

what is the basking temp at now?
you dont want the whole cage to be the same temperature.

 

[slinko9]

I put a plastic sheet up on the back wall!!
I use a 100 watt heating lamp about 6 inches above the top of the cage over his favourite basking spot and that keeps that area around the mid 80`s,,,,I have my UVB canopy set in the middle,,, and a 50 watt heat lamp set up over the front side to help keep the temp around 70 towards the bottom of the cage!!
Misting between 3 to 4 times for about 3 to 4 minutes and about 3 to 4 real plants keeps the humidity levels satisfactory!!!!
I use a sheet at night to cover up the cage,,,loosely,,,dont wanna suffocate the little dude!! And this keeps night time temps between 60 to 70,,,depending on AC or the heater,,,or season!!!
Experiment a bit,,,but have fun and Love You Cham!!!
CHEERZ!!!

 

[buddah]

the basking spot is about 31-32 degrees c. but thts only about 7 inch from the top so half way down its like 22ish which is basically my room temperature. might have to get some plastic sheeting. and im thinking another heat source to heat up half way so more of the tank is warm instead of just near his basking spot

 

[GabeCastro]

the basking spot is about 31-32 degrees c. but thts only about 7 inch from the top so half way down its like 22ish which is basically my room temperature. might have to get some plastic sheeting. and im thinking another heat source to heat up half way so more of the tank is warm instead of just near his basking spot

Not sure on the type of heating lamp you're using, but i'd suggest bumping up to a 8" clamp lamp if you're on the 5.5".

This will help spread the heat allot more. Also use a 75w bulb, I use a 75w ZooMed Repti Basking bulb and I've had great luck with it. Just be sure to place the bulb atleast 8" away from your chams basking spot. Assuming your cham is old enough since you bumped him/her up to a adult cage.

You are in the UK, and i noticed allot of members around your way use half glass/half mesh enclosures with great success. Some folks also use shower curtains to cover the sides and this helps with humidity aswell. This should also help out your heating problem with the lower half.

But it's also good to have it cool down low so your cham can cool off here and there when he/she wants to. I catch my cham hanging on the bottom half for a good 10-15 minutes then goes back up to bask.

Good luck with your cham and keep up updated! And welcome to the forums! You're already on a great start.

 

[buddah]

sweet. think im using a 5.5 as its a medium. ill get a large. im using a 100watt bulb. im going to try out using polythene sheets on the back and sides to see how much of a difference it makes. my cham is about 8-9 months old and is a good size good eater and drinks straight from a bottle when i pour it in front of him

i have noticed lately he isnt pooing daily or even every 2 days for a matter of fact.

what could of caused this?

 

[buddah]

just checked i am using a 8inch lamp

 

[GabeCastro]

Nice! Sounds like you're doing a good job so far. Especially with the cage upgrade

Allot of things can cause your chams digestive system to be thrown off. For one, heat and humidity play a huge role in helping chams digest their food. Also you just moved him to a adult cage, so he could be alittle stressed out.

Usually if my cham doesn't poop for 4 days i'll take him outside in the sun, let him bask and he'll let them go

or try putting him on a large plant in the shower for about 15 minutes. This could help chams digest aswell. My cham hates the water so this doesn't really work for me. Just be sure the showerhead is hitting a wall so it creates a fine mist. Also the water should be warm, but not too hot.

But you shouldn't worry. As chams get older They don't poop as much, sometimes 1-2 times a week. So you don't really have to worry. Just be sure his urate is white and stool is dark/black. Stool is the poop part, urate is the urine part. White is good, orange/pink are signs of dehydration. If you don't see anything for a week then you have a problem. But you can always use those 2 methods i gave you to help them out.

 

[GabeCastro]

nice, you should be good then. Try putting the lamp at an angle so the basking light almost comes down on your cham like the sun would. This can help raise the temperature aswell instead of being isolated in a corner. I have my light set up at an angle and my cham seems to be doing fine. Basks allot more.

 

[buddah]

cheers i want the best life for him as possible. yeah he is still settling in but once hes settled he'll love the space sometimes when i take him out he just goes toilet haha hes started to do tht alot in the last month. its like he refused to go toilet where he lives haha am going to get some shower curtain tomorrow to cover the back and sides see how that goes.

now this could cause a stir up haha but atm i only have a compact uvb 5.0 should i get a strip bulb for him asap? or will he be ok for a week or so as putting him in this tank has cost me but if it needs to be done i will get one tomorrow


thanks for all your help

 

[GabeCastro]

Haha yeah my cham was pooping outside for the first month i've had him. Eventually he stopped being shy and poops all over his cage now

But a compact UVB bulb may cause your chams eyes to go blind. I've never experienced it, but majority of the senior members or members who've had years of experience will warn you with compact bulbs.

I'd go with a tube light forsure. Since you put your cham in the big boy cage, maybe invest in a better lighting set up? You could help your plants grow and give your cham the "Best" uvb lighting out there. Helping plants stay alive will give your cage constant perfect humidity levels. But if you're on a tight budget, just go with a 24" reptisun 5.0 w/ whatever hood that holds a 24" tube bulb. Reptiglo is another option, but i preferred reptisun on my past set up. Had 0 problems with it.

If you're not really on a budget, then here's my current lighting set up:

Cost me about $140 something bucks shipped. You can use these links as references, compare bulbs, etc. Not sure how shipping works to the Uk either, sorry

24" ZooMed AquaSun T5 High Output Double Linear Fluorescent hood
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-AquaS...83278&sr=8-1&keywords=T5+HO+output+double+24"

22" Arcadia D3 T-5 HO UVB
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ard3t522in241.html

22" Zoo Med Ultra Sun Trichromatic Super Daylight Bulb
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Trich...UTF8&qid=1351183507&sr=1-1&keywords=22"+6500k

Or, You can message Todd from lightyourreptiles.com and ask about a 24" double hood lighting set up w/ T6 HO bulb & 6500k bulb And be sure to ask how shipping works to the UK if you do decide to message him.

Here's his profile:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/venutus1/

 

[laurie]

I am a fairly long time keeper. it is true there were problems with the compact uvb bulbs, but I think those have been resolved. A compact will be fine for a while. Wrapping the cage is a good idea, I do that to my cages. My husband just doesn't understand that I use screen cages for air circulation then wrap 3 of 4 sides.

 

[buddah]

with strip bulbs wont i need a ballast aswell? ill look into it ill do a abit of research on the compact but the breeder who i got him from said there fine and recommend it to me and hes been keeping them for 15yrs+ . i think i will have to look at getting a better lighting setup. but first thing on the list today is covering the sides then ill move onto uvb!


ive been a member of this forum for less than 24 hours and already ive had loads of help. i can see everyone cares for chameleons and wants the best for them. ill fit right it

 

[GabeCastro]

I am a fairly long time keeper. it is true there were problems with the compact uvb bulbs, but I think those have been resolved. A compact will be fine for a while. Wrapping the cage is a good idea, I do that to my cages. My husband just doesn't understand that I use screen cages for air circulation then wrap 3 of 4 sides.

Yup, take Laurie's advice. I just read that they've fixed the issue with the compact bulbs. You should be fine for now. Just make sure it's a UVB light

And you're def fitting right in...It's amazing how much i've learned about taking care of chams since joining this forum.

 

[buddah]

Yup, take Laurie's advice. I just read that they've fixed the issue with the compact bulbs. You should be fine for now. Just make sure it's a UVB light

And you're def fitting right in...It's amazing how much i've learned about taking care of chams since joining this forum.

great im 100% sure its 5.0 uvb ill put a picture of my setup on later when ive covered the sides, just hope i can get it where i live.

its great forum

 

[GabeCastro]

great im 100% sure its 5.0 uvb ill put a picture of my setup on later when ive covered the sides, just hope i can get it where i live.

its great forum

Yeah this forum is actually too great lol. It's 1am over here and i'm trying to help out as much as I can while i fall asleep! haha

Once you upload a few pics of your set up, members will chime and and give you great feedback.

Can't wait to see your set up along with your cham! Looks amazing in your default!

 

[buddah]

Yeah this forum is actually too great lol. It's 1am over here and i'm trying to help out as much as I can while i fall asleep! haha

Once you upload a few pics of your set up, members will chime and and give you great feedback.

Can't wait to see your set up along with your cham! Looks amazing in your default!

just went and got polythene sheeting and saw someone on here done a fake background. so i brought a piece of wood expandable foam and an aquatic sealant so guna start it today

cant wait to show everyone! my profile pic does not do him justice buut wouldnt let me up load a HD one

 

[chameleonkev]

If you get a tube UVB get the Arcadia t5 there the best one and get the 12% as the light is filtering threw the mesh, and to save money don't buy basking bulbs from reptile shops, it's just a house hold bulb in a posh box I buy mine of e bay, 20 bulbs for 15 quid

 

[buddah]

If you get a tube UVB get the Arcadia t5 there the best one and get the 12% as the light is filtering threw the mesh, and to save money don't buy basking bulbs from reptile shops, it's just a house hold bulb in a posh box I buy mine of e bay, 20 bulbs for 15 quid

cheers for the tips! will defo look into that uvb bulb