Mist? Drip? Mess?! Substrate?

[Riven]

Okay, it's been a while since I've been on, for everyone who's curious Pascal is doing awesome!

We've been doing the hand misting several times a day and it's getting exhausting and it's extremely messy when we do it, lol. So I want to get a mister... are they less messy than hand misting? When we do it we get it all over everything around her area...

So I'd love suggestions on that.

Also we've been doing paper towels on the bottom, but again with the misting they're always being changed out, so what is the best substrate to use? I think we got into such a rhythm with her stuff when she was sick and now I think it's time to upgrade her stuff!

Can't wait for suggestions!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Yay! I was just wondering about how Pascal was doing the other day! The best way is to set up a drainage system so the water drains out of the cage and no substrate to mess with since it will just get soaked and messy. When I got my mistking I drilled a few holes in the cage floor and there is a bin beneath it to collect the water an I just empty it from time to time. No muss, no fuss.

Here are some examples of other people's drainage systems: https://www.chameleonforums.com/drainage-systems-cages-get-creative-102038

 

[SaintJimmy]

DO NOT use substrate, because your chameleon might ingest it and develop blockages in its organs, potentially causing it to die.

I would drill holes at the bottom of the cage and put a bucket underneath for the drainage.

 

[Riven]

That seems easy enough! I actually ordered a tray for her reptarium so we can use that to start with! I was also thinking about just at thin layer of rocks, but didn't know if that would make it harder for "hunting" and such, maybe she would like the challenge.

What kind of misting/dripping system do you use?

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I had some medium rocks at the bottom of one my enclosures for a while. They only thing they were good for was collecting poop and dead crickets under them. And they were a pain to clean around. So I took them out after a while of trying to make it work.

 

[ealizard]

drip system,

I have drip system from a pump up sprayer and some tubing spliters and it drips into a bucket that I put a quick contector for the size line you want drill a hole in tub/ bucket, silacone it , rocks and screen over hole inside, dirt on top, with plant . drips into plant from top, drains into a bucket under shelf, can get photos if needed,

 

[Riven]

ealizard, so you just pump it up a couple times a day or how do you regulate it? We have a pump up sprayer that we use now to mist her and have a little drip bag for her water, I was hoping to find something more automatic so I know she's always taken care of especially since we have a couple weekend trips coming up this year.

 

[jshaffer740]

ealizard, so you just pump it up a couple times a day or how do you regulate it? We have a pump up sprayer that we use now to mist her and have a little drip bag for her water, I was hoping to find something more automatic so I know she's always taken care of especially since we have a couple weekend trips coming up this year.

If you will be gone over the weekend for a few days, nothing beats the convenience of an automated misting system. Honestly it is one of the best investments you can make for your enclosure. In comparison to the amount of money we spend on this hobby, it's actually not a huge cost. If you get one, I promise you will not regret it.

 

[javsto]

That seems easy enough! I actually ordered a tray for her reptarium so we can use that to start with! I was also thinking about just at thin layer of rocks, but didn't know if that would make it harder for "hunting" and such, maybe she would like the challenge.

What kind of misting/dripping system do you use?

one thing to remember about drilling holes in your floor is not to make them to big so that your feeders are able to escape through them. Try to use some sort of filter inbetween the holes and your collection bin if possible.