New set up (pics) - Am I forgetting anything ?

[jims]

I am soon planning on getting my first male panther chameleon and was wondering if I forgot anything and/or if I did anything wrong...

Terrarium : Exo Terra XL (36x36x18). This is just to start with. The chameleon i'm getting is about 5 month old. I decided to get a glass set up to keep the heat as it can get really cold where I live. If you think that my heating system produces enough heat, I can always switch to a reptibreeze or even build an mesh extension above the exoterra.

Heating : Solar raptor 70 w

Lighting : none for now, what would you suggest ?

Humidity : automatic misting sytem (i also have a dripper). I will be planning 3 x 1mn during the day (9am - noon - 4pm)

Check out my set up below

 

[xephyr17]

Looks nice! As you said, you may want to switch to a mesh enclosure. They're typically better because of ventalation. However, if it gets too cold where you live, I could understand the glass to keep the heat in.

Do you have a UVB bulb? You'll need one. I would suggest a tube light that can cover the whole width of the enclosure. Reptisun has good quality lights.

I would also suggest covering up the dirt in your plants with river rocks--large enough so your cham can't swallow them. It's mostly a concern with Veileds, to my understanding, but it's probably better safe than sorry.

Otherwise, it looks great to me!

 

[jims]

Thank you for your answer.
I'll definitely switch to a mesh enclosure if I can keep my temperature up. Regarding the UVB, it is provided by the solar raptor, but I still will add a tube light for more light. Thanks also for the tip on covering the dirt with the rocks, I had read about it, but it slipped my mind....
Thanks again for your input!

 

[sharp229]

Although a mesh cage most easily creates the ideal environment, that cage can work if you are able to manage the ventilation and drainage properly, it is just more involved.

Hadn't heard of Solar Raptor, it looks like it is a metal halide kit? HID lights like that can work, although it may be hard to get the right temperature and UV at the basking spot simultaneously. Also, it will prevent your chameleon from being able to regulate heat and UVB independently. The best setup is a tube for UVB (Arcadia 6% and ReptiSun 5.0 are best) and a standard incandescent bulb for heat. This set up is also most likely a lot cheaper than a metal halide kit. If you want to keep the current light you could have three basking spots as long as you can fit the lights and they don't heat up the enclosure too much.

 

[junglefries]

I am aware that glass enclosures and substrate are popular over in Europe. Especially glass for the cooler temperatures. I guess you have to go with what works for your location and what you can get support from locally also. Don't take the yankee comments to heart, too much, alright.

 

[jims]

Thank you Junglefries for your comment. I have been reading a lot lately about chameleon care before getting one and checked out how they are kept in various countries like in North America, UK, Germany and of course France where I live. It's true that glass and wooden terrarium are very common in Europe. I still keep in mind that chameleon need a very good ventilation. I will try to build a little system with computer fans, but like I said before, if all this doesn't work, I can easily switch to a mesh cage as it is not hard to build (or buy...).
I have tested my temperature and my hygrometry and this is what I came up with :

Temp. :
Basking spot : 32°C - 89°F
Ambient : 25°C - 77°F

Hygro:
After misting : 80%
About 3hrs after misting : 50%

I'm getting a tube light this afternoon for more light and UV, and most probably my cham tomorrow. I just can't wait !!