New to the world of chameleons & First Cage Build

[Starksmith]

Good Day Everyone,

First let me say that this is the best sight for info and help for first time owners.This is my first Chameleon, my family and I have chosen to go with a male Panther Chameleon, which we will be purchasing from the reptile Expo at this weekends show in Toronto Canada.

I've spent the last few weeks building my own cage from the skeleton of a 18x18x36 repti breeze screen cage. It's completely built from styrofoam, grout and non toxic Sealent.

In the tank we have:
-3 real shefflera plants
-Few artificial plants and vines
-Bamboo sticks for claiming
Grapewood with ceramic bowl mounted for insect feeding.

LIGHTING - Daytime from 8am- 8:30pm
75watt basking bulb
5.0 repsun UVB
40 watt daytime bulb

LIGHTING - Night time
60watt infrared heat bulb - minimal lighting from 8:30pm -8am

MISTING SYSTEM
Monsoon 400 rs -misting every hour for 10 Seconds

All plugged into a Zilla power centre- digital timer.

Only problem I have is with all the knowledge I have learned over the weeks, I built this cage which I'm proud of but the temps hits a perfect 82-87f and humidity 45-55% while dry but after misting will hit 65% and stay that way for a few minutes .......my concerns are I've read it should be 80%.

Please view my build pic and see the final pictures below, please let me know if I forgot something or did something wrong!


And yes it is a screen cage with all three sides covered and the front has plexiglass on it to keep heat in.

 

[chameleonguy1217]

U Have to tell me how u made that cage. It looks absolutely AMAZING. A dream cage for most Cham keepers. Also just don't need any heating or lighting nighttime. They need a drop of temp at night. It's extremely healthy. Anything above 40 is perfect at night

 

[chameleonguy1217]

Also how much did everything cost in total

 

[distortionz]

First of I just wanna start off by saying the cage looks great! Also I don't know where you live but but this time of the year with it being cooler, furnaces running, the air stays a lot dryer.. With the three sides covered and your humidity staying 45-65 you should be fine as long as there is big spikes a few times a day received with your misting.. If I was you I'd mist less times for longer periods.. Instead of every hour for 10 seconds try every 3-4 hours for a minute to a minute and a half.. It will give you a good spike... Also you don't need a night time bulb it will actually keep your chameleon awake and stressed out... Panthers can deal with nights time drops down into the 50s.. Not recommending that but I let mine drop down into the 60s at night it is actually beneficial for proper digestion.. Where is the plexiglass at? I'm a little confused.. Is it on the front? If that's the case I'd recommend taking it off personally.. I like having the three covered sides but personally for airflow reasons it is better if the top and front stay screen..

 

[urawrath]

This is a great starter cage for your baby!
Few questions for you before you get your baby to make sure it will have a great start and good life
Do you have a supplementing schedule planned and what are you supplementing with?
What are you going to feed and how are you going to gut load them?

 

[Starksmith]

chameleonguy1217...... Thank for the comment, with everything I'm at $370 with material and supplies

distortions ........ I am located in Toronto Canada and we keep our house at 72-74f during the winter months. The plexiglass is only on the front but will remove it tomorrow and test the temps and humidity i get tomorrow!

urawrath..... i have a schedule for my d3 and non d3 along with vitamins, i would also like to include fruits and veggies now and again as a treat....as for gut loading I've seen tons of recipes but not sure if i will go with them!

 

[alphakenc]

Your cage look like a museum, are those background hand made design or ready made to use?what are those dish like on the bottom?are ur panther chameleon going to be a baby or adult?

 

[Starksmith]

alphakenc.....backround is hand made ......as for the bottom i was trying something new today to increase humidity by placing eco-earth and mulch on flat dish. panther Chameleon will be 3-5 Months old depends on what we find at he Reptile Expo this weekend!

 

[JGuinan007]

What did you use to paint the styro?

 

[Starksmith]

What did you use to paint the styro?

Non Sanded Grout followed by acrylic paint, then a non toxic acrylic sealer and on final coats lightly sprinkled sand for texture.

 

[JGuinan007]

Is that a Penn Plax cage?

 

[distortionz]

72-74 in your home sounds perfect.. You shouldn't need the plexi glass you want different temp grades anyways.. He should be able to get away from the heat.. You don't want the ambient temp of the cage to be 82-87.. 87 is good for the basking spot but the rest of the cage should be cooler for him to get away from the heat

 

[distortionz]

As for those fruits and veggies your probably better off giving them to the bugs he will be eating.. Panthers rarely eat anything other than insects

 

[LittleDsmomma]

Just a thought, U may wanna add a long vine then a dripper on top of ur cage.. So ur lil cham has a place to drink water..
Sometimes they like to hind out so more bigger leafs could help with that.. Plus I wouldn't trust the Heat/Humidity gauge, a dig one is a lot better.
But that's just my 2cents hope all goes well for you and Panther..