new 2x2x4 cage what to do

[csmolins89]

So I just purchased a 2x2x4 cage for my chameleon to upgrade from his 18x18x36 cage. I am having an extreme amount of trouble trying to come up with something to fill out the cage as the cage is so much bigger than my current setup. I have two pothos in early stages on magnetic planters on the sides. But those will take a while to grow in. I dont particularly want to have a plant in the center like I do now because they are a pain to take care of. Any suggestions about how to fill out this massive cage? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[xephyr17]

Lots of fake vines and fake trailing plants to string around work pretty good.

 

[csmolins89]

I have a couple that I am taking from his old cage, I am working on some sticks from the outside to create some pathways, I guess my biggest concern is having a lot of empty space. And I'm not too sure how much the pothos will fill up.

 

[xephyr17]

I have a couple that I am taking from his old cage, I am working on some sticks from the outside to create some pathways, I guess my biggest concern is having a lot of empty space. And I'm not too sure how much the pothos will fill up.

I have 2 small pothos plants in Peter's 3x2x4 enclosure. They don't cover as much as I'd like them to. I'm going to be stringing those fake plants around until they finally fill in. Ender has one HUGE pothos that started as a really small one. So they'll fill in really nicely, provided they get enough water.

Patience is the key with those things...

Tall Coleus plants are pretty nice, too. They cover quite a bit of space in my 36" tall enclosure for my crested gecko. I have some smaller ones in my chameleon's enclosures, but you could just get really tall ones.

 

[csmolins89]

I guess I could always add more pothos if needed. I do have some fake leaves for the meantime so that should fill in some of the dead spots. Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[csmolins89]

Anyone else ??

 

[crazychamzoo]

We use hibiscus up the middle and just now started adding pothos to each enclosure with the hibiscus. This combo fills roughly 75-80% of our 24x24x48 enclosures. I'm not real big on the fake plants, but that's just me, and I'm not knocking anyone who uses them, so please don't take it that way. We do use fake vines as pathways along with real branches.

 

[nick barta]

If you have a 6500KW plant light your Pathos will fill the cage quickly.

Nick

 

[csmolins89]

I currently have a 6500k light going in the old cage which will be transferred to the new cage so that will help a ton. I agree with you crazychamzoo I don't like the look of fake plant but as of now I don't have much choice til the pothos grows in ...also I have gone through three hibiscus before realizing I was killing them without the grow light. I'm thinking I want to keep the bottom clear though. I like not having to clean dead leaves that fall from the potted plants that sit on the cage bottom.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Real plants are definitely the way to go. A variety is good too... I'll be using hibiscus, spider, hosta, and pothos, as well as a ficus later on.

Could you guys tell me a little bit about 6500 kw plant lights?? How important would say it is to have one of those? I want to make sure all my plants do well. Thanks!

 

[csmolins89]

Like I said in my above post I killed off three hibiscus before realizing that I needed a 6500k bulb. I currently use a cfl version but you can also get them in a linear tube version , which is what I plan on doing soon. They are important especially if your cage isn't going to get a lot of direct sunlight. Especially since hibiscus and many other plants need that spectrum of light to survive

 

[junglefries]

Hibiscus or Draceana Lemon Lime Plant combined with Pothos. They should fill in nicely.

 

[csmolins89]

Does the draceana have to sit on the cage floor