My first cham enclosure build

[Robobob]

Hello guys、 New owner of my first chameleon here!

I just got my eyes on this hobby after moving to a new town and coming across a reseller.

I bought my nosy be Marty the other day and i just finished building my first enclosure after some research、 please take a look and share your comments!

I use a glass cage because it's very dry air in the area i live so it's pretty much a requirement.



And sorry for the vertical filming..

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

What material is covering the enclosure?

 

[Robobob]

I have a layer of hydrograins covered by a thick layer of coconut fiber plantation soil

 

[jcarlsen]

Hello guys、 New owner of my first chameleon here!

I just got my eyes on this hobby after moving to a new town and coming across a reseller.

I bought my nosy be Marty the other day and i just finished building my first enclosure after some research、 please take a look and share your comments!

I use a glass cage because it's very dry air in the area i live so it's pretty much a requirement.



And sorry for the vertical filming..

I’d say the only real red flag is your lighting. You’d be much better of with a nice long T5HO uvb than that collection of smaller bulbs.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

I have a layer of hydrograins covered by a thick layer of coconut fiber plantation soil

I meant your cover. The thing your lights are sitting on.

 

[Robobob]

Aah, my bad! It's the exo-terra Compact top

 

[salty dog]

I think you should read through a few threads on this site regarding vivariums/enclosures and also husbandry threads for the chameleon you have, you will find everything you need to know through those threads

 

[Brodybreaux25]

No, they don’t. CFLs are not an acceptable way of proving UVB for your Cham. The other two bulbs are fine for basking. His UVB should be provided by no less than a T8 fixture.

Other than that everything else looks pretty good. Maybe cover that bowl with a screen. Welcome to the Forums!

 

[Robobob]

Thank you for the feedback, it's great to get a second opition from experienced owners!

But this is still kind of confusing to me, as the light i've bought for them in the shape of CFLs are atleast in accordance with the manufacturers, especially designed for reptiles like chameleons.
Would a well established corporation like Exo Terra appears to be, be selling products that from the comments seems almost harmful to the animals they are intended for?

The stores that sells the animal also gave me these lights when i asked them about recommendations and they have been doing this for decades.

Once again i appreciate the feedback but im really trying to understand why supplier with all their stated experience would give me such innacurate info about such a crucial detail about the animals well-being

Best regards

 

[Brodybreaux25]

They do it because they want to make the sale! The problem with the cfls is that they produce a very narrow beam of UVB. Your Cham would have to sit directly below it 24/7 for him to get any real benefit. Linear UVBs distribute UVB widely across the cage.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-UVB

 

[salty dog]

Compact uv lights do not work, everyday this is repeated. I wish people would research husbandry for their chameleons

 

[Robobob]

Guess i'll have to get back to the store for some more shopping then.. just wish the resellers would tell me what was really recommended in the first place to avoid all the trouble.
What do you guys think about a combination of these?



Also, since there are two sockets, should i go with two of the uvb lights or one of the ones in the picture below along with a solar light?

You think i will be good off with a

 

[timw1]

That fixture looks decent. You should only need the one uvb. Buy a quality bulb such as Arcadia. Use the other socket for a good plant light.

 

[Robobob]

Hello everyone, just providing a small update!

Got my new t5 fixture today and installed it with an Arcadia bulb along with a plant light! Hope that will be sufficient.

Thanks again for the feedback