Need feed back on setup and help increasing humidity levels.

[bdhaugland]

So could use some feedback on my set up. Been trying to increase the humidity levels in my exo terra (18x18x24"). Lighting consists of a exo terra UV100, exo terra 50w basking light and a plant grow light. Misting occurs every 6hrs for 30 secs. My humidity normally hangs around 50% but will bump up to 65% after misting. Temps are 70-75 degrees and around 90 in the basking area.

I'm wondering if it's just do to the position of my hydrometer. I provided a picture of its positioning.

I currently have no chameleon housed because I recently lost my Dwarf Jacksons after 6 1/2yrs.

The plan currently is to house another chameleon and move up to a 18x18x36 in April but not sure which at the moment. Any chameleon suggestions, Comments or critiques?

Thank you

 

[montymontgomery]

Really, you shouldn't have a cham in that setup. I'm a rather unexperienced chameleon owner, but it's been preached by everyone that screen cages are required. When a chameleon see's itself in the reflection of the glass, it deems the reflection to be another chameleon & it stresses itself out. Basically, housing a chameleon in a glass tank is forcing it to live in perpetual discomfort and stress, lowering its life expectancy. Luckily, screen cages aren't hard to build nor are they as expensive as glass terrariums. I would retire your current setup for maybe a different reptile? I have the same exo terra & it houses a crested gecko. I would also recommend a live plant in replacement of fake ones in your new setup (they'll help with maintaining humidity) & a taller cage size (36" tall minimum)

 

[bdhaugland]

I think you should read this: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/for-everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-in-glass.31937/

It's a good read and insightful.

Also all the plants are real and there's heavy airflow. Also if you read this was a starter moving up to a 36" which I stated in my post. Thanks for the reply.

 

[montymontgomery]

I think you should read this: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/for-everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-in-glass.31937/

It's a good read and insightful.

Also all the plants are real and there's heavy airflow. Also if you read this was a starter moving up to a 36" which I stated in my post. Thanks for the reply.

Personally, my goal is to simulate a life for my chameleon that is closest to that of its natural habitat. Minimal restrictions, BEST possible airflow (not just acceptable or above average like glass provides) etc. Screen literally provides no barrier for fresh air to penetrate the cage, but yes, glass works (keyword: works) I did not mention that a chameleon gets poor airflow in a glass terrarium, that was known by me, but depending on the chameleon, they MAY have a poor reaction to a glass terrarium causing their reflection to be seen. I figured, why risk it. Cool that all your plants are real, and they're all nontoxic? They look amazing. As I stated, 36" minimum. If you want the minimum for your cham, stay there, but the more space you can provide the better.

 

[Chameleomom]

I think you should read this: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/for-everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-in-glass.31937/

It's a good read and insightful.

Also all the plants are real and there's heavy airflow. Also if you read this was a starter moving up to a 36" which I stated in my post. Thanks for the reply.

Personally, my goal is to simulate a life for my chameleon that is closest to that of its natural habitat. Minimal restrictions, BEST possible airflow (not just acceptable or above average like glass provides) etc. Screen literally provides no barrier for fresh air to penetrate the cage, but yes, glass works (keyword: works) I did not mention that a chameleon gets poor airflow in a glass terrarium, that was known by me, but depending on the chameleon, they MAY have a poor reaction to a glass terrarium causing their reflection to be seen. I figured, why risk it. Cool that all your plants are real, and they're all nontoxic? They look amazing. As I stated, 36" minimum. If you want the minimum for your cham, stay there, but the more space you can provide the better.

I think you should read this: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/for-everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-in-glass.31937/

It's a good read and insightful.

Also all the plants are real and there's heavy airflow. Also if you read this was a starter moving up to a 36" which I stated in my post. Thanks for the reply.

Chris Anderson knows his stuff about the exo terras....they have a awesome airflow. I think Montymontgomery should read his post. and learn what the chimney effect is..

 

[montymontgomery]

Chris Anderson knows his stuff about the exo terras....they have a awesome airflow. I think Montymontgomery should read his post. and learn what the chimney effect is..

Hot air rises, cold air is more dense, yes. I bought an exo terra for my crestie because its has above average airflow. Apparently I'm not speaking english here The airflow is good! I'm more concerned, once again, about the reflection!!!! I'm POSITIVE bdhaugland's cham will receive an* awesome amount of airflow.

 

[Chameleomom]

Hot air rises, cold air is more dense, yes. I bought an exo terra for my crestie because its has above average airflow. Apparently I'm not speaking english here The airflow is good! I'm more concerned, once again, about the reflection!!!! I'm POSITIVE bdhaugland's cham will receive an* awesome amount of airflow.

I have my male in one and has never stressed out from a reflection, if you have the proper plants which she does.

 

[Chameleomom]

bdhaugland Your set looks great

 

[bdhaugland]

So moving away from the reflection debate (I did house a Jackson for 6 1/2 years without indications of stress) aside.

What would one change in order to boost that humidity count?

Any suggestions as to what other chameleons I should house in this enclosure as a starter?

Has anyone run into a similar problem and is it more likely that my hydrometer is in the wrong spot to get a accurate read?

 

[Chameleomom]

I would tryi to bump up your misting and see what that does

 

[Graves923]

Agreed with the post above. Misting every 6 hours for 30 secs isn't enough. Increase both misting sessions and duration. I set my system for my male veiled to spray for 7 minutes at 7:15am and then go off every 3 hours for 2 minutes. Humidity in my screen cage (covered two sides with plastic sheet), bare bottom and all live plants never drops below 45-50%.

 

[hopps31]

I housed both my juvenile Panther and veiled in a 12x12x18 Exo Terra and then the 18x18x18 and they are now both in the 36x18x36 Exo's. They have never had any reactions at all to their reflections. I love the tanks, we could not keep any humidity in when our woodstove is running with screen enclosures, even with covering the sides.

So to the original question, I would definitely up your misting times and frequency. My schedule is mist heavily at around 8, then every 4 hours after for a min., then one longer misting again at 7. I do have the monsoon but hand mist as well. My humidity has never been a problem. I do have it bare bottom so I wipe the water out every other day as I didn't drill it to drain. I use a 30 watt bulb on a lamp dimmer and Reptisun t5 5.0 UVB bulb, our house is pretty warm. Here is a picture!

 

[bdhaugland]

I housed both my juvenile Panther and veiled in a 12x12x18 Exo Terra and then the 18x18x18 and they are now both in the 36x18x36 Exo's. They have never had any reactions at all to their reflections. I love the tanks, we could not keep any humidity in when our woodstove is running with screen enclosures, even with covering the sides.

So to the original question, I would definitely up your misting times and frequency. My schedule is mist heavily at around 8, then every 4 hours after for a min., then one longer misting again at 7. I do have the monsoon but hand mist as well. My humidity has never been a problem. I do have it bare bottom so I wipe the water out every other day as I didn't drill it to drain. I use a 30 watt bulb on a lamp dimmer and Reptisun t5 5.0 UVB bulb, our house is pretty warm. Here is a picture! View attachment 191353

I may have to try this out when I eventually make the conversion to the 36x18x36 exo Terra. I will up my misting as suggested. Right now my humidity never dips below 50% I'm also spraying every 4hrs for a minute from the Exo Terra Monsoon. Drainage I have a fish tank like set up where I siphon the water out occasionally. The bottom is lava rock 2"-3" worth, mesh screen and then soil and coco fiber.

Yeah living in the New England area we are not afforded the luxury of just keeping Chameleons in mesh cages like people in Southern states like FL.

I'll try the hand misting in the morning.

 

[hopps31]

I may have to try this out when I eventually make the conversion to the 36x18x36 exo Terra. I will up my misting as suggested. Right now my humidity never dips below 50% I'm also spraying every 4hrs for a minute from the Exo Terra Monsoon. Drainage I have a fish tank like set up where I siphon the water out occasionally. The bottom is lava rock 2"-3" worth, mesh screen and then soil and coco fiber.

Yeah living in the New England area we are not afforded the luxury of just keeping Chameleons in mesh cages like people in Southern states like FL.

I'll try the hand misting in the morning.

Right, us New Englanders have to have the drying heat, or we will freeze

I have been in debate about going bio, but just have not made the leap yet!

I do like hand misting, so I know they are drinking and can cover every area I feel should be covered. Though, I like the monsoon as well to cover the rest of the day when life gets in the way I also spray the walls, they like to drink the droplets that run down the glass!

 

[Katacara]

Thank you all for your posts on this. I need to upgrade my veild's enclosure and was on the fence about using glass. This has given me a lot more information to think about

 

[bdhaugland]

Thank you all for your posts on this. I need to upgrade my veild's enclosure and was on the fence about using glass. This has given me a lot more information to think about

No problem, I kept a Dwarf Jacksons for 5+ years in one when I got him (wasn't sure of his age when I received him) he never showed any signs of stress.

If he did I would have absolutely switched to a Screen mesh cage. Being in the Northeast I've never had much luck with screen cages so I tried the exo Terra out.

Like with every pet your mileage might vary but the key is paying attention to your reptiles needs but that doesn't mean don't try something. Good luck with things.