My first Chameleon setup, help needed? **PICS**

[Nikkifer]

Hello
Im after some advice, ive recieved my setup for my new baby veiled chameleon today from Surrey pet supplies. Anyway as hes only a baby I bought a smaller mesh viv, i know he will outgrow this QUICK but im not too bothered at buying him another one soon

What im wondering is:
Is that okay for where the UV light is? ive seen in other peoples setups that they seem to lie? it across the top and im really confused as if he walked along the top wouldnt it burn his paws? my "tank" is a lucky reptile open air flexarium, its nylon mesh with a plastic pole frame, I currently have the UV light attatched on each of the eyelets hanging off the top of viv and the bottom and its attatched with clips and cable ties to keep it off the side of mesh.

My light is simply placed ontop with a 60watt bulb in its controlled by a habistat thermostat and the bulb doesnt touch the top of the mesh.

Im kitting it out with accessories and branches afterwards I just want to make sure that the lighting is correct. My probe for the thermostat is on the left hand side of the mesh at the top and my thermometer probe is in the middle.

Will this be okay?
this is my FIRST chameleon and I want to make sure everything is perfect before he arrives on Friday,

 

[Carlton]

UV lights like the one you have don't produce enough heat to burn. The level of UV radiation isn't high enough either unless you have a very high output desert lamp. The basking light is the one to watch, but you can always raise it up off the cage top more. To get the best idea what the basking spot temp actually is, set up your perches in the cage and measure the surface temp of the perch that lays right under it. The best way to measure this temp is to use a non-contact infrared temp gun. They are available through herp suppliers (not sure where you are) and are a very accurate and userful tool. I wouldn't keep herps without one now.

 

[Nikkifer]

this is the UV bulb i bought
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/arcadia-t5-d3-reptile-lamp-24w-22in.html

i was advised that this is the right output for him as 5% isnt enough?

 

[Montium]

I would not leave that basking lamp on the screen but then that's me. I'm also not a fan of those kinds of enclosures as then tend to rip nails off, or have in my case. Plant it heavily but make sure you can clean the bottom. Good luck, try to give it as much real sunlight whenever you can.

 

[Ulrich]

I have not really seen UVB lights placed vertically throughout the enclosure yet. I would place all light sources on top. I would assume they need a temperature gradient as well as a light gradient.

 

[Carlton]

this is the UV bulb i bought
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/arcadia-t5-d3-reptile-lamp-24w-22in.html

i was advised that this is the right output for him as 5% isnt enough?

5% is fine.

 

[Carlton]

I have not really seen UVB lights placed vertically throughout the enclosure yet. I would place all light sources on top. I would assume they need a temperature gradient as well as a light gradient.

And, I meant to mention before, that having the lights on top tends to keep the cham within range of the UV radiation while they sit and bask to warm up. It is a bit more natural for them to orient themselves to overhead light/heat. Putting your UV light on the cage top is fine.

 

[Nikkifer]

so just literally place it ontop? and ive got the 12% now will that be okay?

 

[Carlton]

so just literally place it ontop? and ive got the 12% now will that be okay?

Oh sorry, my mistake. You don't really need the 12% especially for a baby in that small cage. If you can get the 5% might be better until he's in a much larger setup and can sit farther away from the bulb. I'm not familiar with this bulb however.

 

[maxttu]

I agree. Place all of the lights overhead. How old will this cham be? There are some out there that would suggest using an older 5.0 for very young chams. This alleviates any eye issues. I'm currently using a 3 month old reptisun 5.0 for the 3 month old cham that I brought home yesterday.

 

[Nikkifer]

Okay, I have moved the UV bulb across the top of the mesh
He is very young about a month?
See im finding so much conflicting advice by some people im told 5% and others im told 10%+

im just so confused
and now ive got the 12% and wont be able to get the 5% till next week

 

[maxttu]

Okay, I have moved the UV bulb across the top of the mesh
He is very young about a month?
See im finding so much conflicting advice by some people im told 5% and others im told 10%+

im just so confused
and now ive got the 12% and wont be able to get the 5% till next week

General rule of thumb: the further away the light is from the cham, the higher % you want. A 10.0 can reach up to 20" away. More foliage, more power.

If the baby is only a month old, find a used 5.0 from a local pet store.