Hi. I'm completely new to the hobby and have been a bit baffled with the amount of conflicting advice I have read on various sites. I purchased a 6-8 week old Veiled Cham (male) last week with a full set-up from my local pet store. I would like to confirm what I was sold is suitable and hopefully clear up a few doubts I have.
The set-up I was sold was an Exo Terra 12x12x18 vivarium with Exo bulbs and glow reflector. There is a 25w daylight basking lamp and a Repti Glo 5.0 compact bulb. There is some artificial plants and jungle vines for him to climb on. There was also a heat mat that I didn't install and plantation soil that I haven't used. I know this is way too small for him as he grows and I will need to get something at least 24x24x48 in a few months time.
Are these bulbs suitable for my needs until I upgrade to a larger viv?
Should I install the heat mat? The climate is pretty cold in Scotland.
What substrate is best for me? At the min I just have kitchen towel. I have also ordered reptile carpet or should I use the plantation soil. Some people recommend it and others say not to use it.
It seems screened vivs are preferable for ventilation but would that still be ok in a colder climate or would the glass exo terra vivs or similar be easier to regulate temp and humidity? There is a mesh top and air vents on the front to allow ventilation.
I am feeding him mostly black and brown crickets lightly dusted in calci-dust 6 days a week and once a week with nutrabol. I also give him a wax worm once every 2 or 3 days and plan to get small hoppers when the pet store gets more in. Is this suitable for a young cham?
Should I keep basking temps lower because he is young? At the minute its at 90 degrees.
Should humidity be about 50%?
I have added a pic of Sergio in his current set-up. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
The set-up I was sold was an Exo Terra 12x12x18 vivarium with Exo bulbs and glow reflector. There is a 25w daylight basking lamp and a Repti Glo 5.0 compact bulb. There is some artificial plants and jungle vines for him to climb on. There was also a heat mat that I didn't install and plantation soil that I haven't used. I know this is way too small for him as he grows and I will need to get something at least 24x24x48 in a few months time.
Are these bulbs suitable for my needs until I upgrade to a larger viv?
Should I install the heat mat? The climate is pretty cold in Scotland.
What substrate is best for me? At the min I just have kitchen towel. I have also ordered reptile carpet or should I use the plantation soil. Some people recommend it and others say not to use it.
It seems screened vivs are preferable for ventilation but would that still be ok in a colder climate or would the glass exo terra vivs or similar be easier to regulate temp and humidity? There is a mesh top and air vents on the front to allow ventilation.
I am feeding him mostly black and brown crickets lightly dusted in calci-dust 6 days a week and once a week with nutrabol. I also give him a wax worm once every 2 or 3 days and plan to get small hoppers when the pet store gets more in. Is this suitable for a young cham?
Should I keep basking temps lower because he is young? At the minute its at 90 degrees.
Should humidity be about 50%?
I have added a pic of Sergio in his current set-up. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
![sergio.jpg sergio.jpg](https://www.chameleonforums.com/data/attachments/37/37550-313ceab41073c90e8456bc75880fb618.jpg)