Hello! My name is Rui and I'm from Portugal, near Oporto. I found this forum when I was researching for chameleons because I ´m interested in having one. I´ve decided to make this post because I want to build a terrarium for it and want to share my experience and receive feedback with and from other members and since i´m building it from scratch I hope to minimize the errors due to my inexperience. I also hope to cover all topics related with the construction of the terrarium as well as materials and decorations. The animal I've been looking for is a yemen chameleon or a panther
Terrarium:
After the research I have done I decided to build a terrarium with the following dimensions: 70cm (length) x 60cm (depth) x 1.20m(high) , a size appropriate adult specimen.
The material i chose was a plywood base, back and sides. Pine strips to the roof, front and door. On the outside network with galvanized musketeer (moisture resistant). Using Sketch8 did a sketch of the terrarium. : http://snag.gy/SZI77.jpg
The strips of wood are sanded and will pass a water based non-toxic veneer to better prepare for the humidity. I believe that this method of treating wood for this type of project. The plywood i think that dont need treatment.
Decoration:
I choose natural plants for the terrarium to help with the humidity. I think I have room for 3 vessels in terrarium and most likely will put 3 of these 4 types of plants that I believe are best suited: Cheflera, Ficus (or pumilo benjamina) and Hibiscus. These plants will be transplanted to a new pot with a suitable substrate and well clean to avoid the risk of "having" traces of chemicals that may have been given them. The potting soil will also be hidden or over a network or with rocks so the insects do not hide in the earth nor the chameleon by her tongue.
I'll also put some trunks fixed at the rear to provide safe support for the animal, (the lamps will be placed on top, externally but this will be discussed later) and probably some fake vines in order to facilitate vertical movement within the terrarium. I would also like to put a vase fixed on the ceiling with some sort of natural vines but it seems ambitious and do not know the weight of the roof will hold the weight. so here is another skecth the terrarium with plants and stuff.: http://snag.gy/taWZI.jpg
The bottom of the terrarium will be with white kitchen paper at least at the beginning to be able to control the feeding and toilet habits of the animal
Material:
I think I'll need a thermometer with probe for temperature control at the basking spot, like 2 or 3 thermometers, analog or digital for the sup /average part and average /inferior, so I can control the temperature gradient of the terrarium.
The humidity will be maintained through water squirts probably 3-4 times a day and one or two home made dripper (bottle or jug upset upside down with a little hole for dripping at leaves and then to the drainage system (my big design problem until now, I'll probably have to put a hidden container in the bottom to collect it )
Lamps: (some good tips here was cool, research also I have to admit was not so much on this topic)
An long longitudinal 6.0 UVB lamp or a compact uvb lamp in the same direction as the basking spot.
A basking spot lamp, and a lamp 100w or 150w ceramic (due to the height of the terrarium I do not know what is indicated to be desired temperatures) connected to a thermostat (as I mentioned here, has not researched a lot and still do not know what are the lights setup or the most appropriate). The lamps will be placed on the outside of the terrarium. The uvb and basking spot at 30cm from the place where the animal should walk more and the ceramic at a distance from the ceiling so the network dont heat and the animal does not burn up the climbing net.
Being the 3 lamps compact it should leave something like that, being that baskingspot is the red one, the green is uvb and yellow is ceramic.
http://snag.gy/am860.jpg
Conditions:
I seek to provide a temp. of 30/32ºC in basking spot. at the sup / Average 29/32 °, intermediate 22/26 ° and below 20/21 ° at night hopefully keep the temp at 18/21. Day will be uvb lamps / spot (tied around 12h) + the ceramic connected to the thermostat at night and only ceramic connected to the thermostat.
I´m sorry for the mistakes I probably wrote but I hope I could make myself understandable. Hopping on replays and thank you!
Terrarium:
After the research I have done I decided to build a terrarium with the following dimensions: 70cm (length) x 60cm (depth) x 1.20m(high) , a size appropriate adult specimen.
The material i chose was a plywood base, back and sides. Pine strips to the roof, front and door. On the outside network with galvanized musketeer (moisture resistant). Using Sketch8 did a sketch of the terrarium. : http://snag.gy/SZI77.jpg
The strips of wood are sanded and will pass a water based non-toxic veneer to better prepare for the humidity. I believe that this method of treating wood for this type of project. The plywood i think that dont need treatment.
Decoration:
I choose natural plants for the terrarium to help with the humidity. I think I have room for 3 vessels in terrarium and most likely will put 3 of these 4 types of plants that I believe are best suited: Cheflera, Ficus (or pumilo benjamina) and Hibiscus. These plants will be transplanted to a new pot with a suitable substrate and well clean to avoid the risk of "having" traces of chemicals that may have been given them. The potting soil will also be hidden or over a network or with rocks so the insects do not hide in the earth nor the chameleon by her tongue.
I'll also put some trunks fixed at the rear to provide safe support for the animal, (the lamps will be placed on top, externally but this will be discussed later) and probably some fake vines in order to facilitate vertical movement within the terrarium. I would also like to put a vase fixed on the ceiling with some sort of natural vines but it seems ambitious and do not know the weight of the roof will hold the weight. so here is another skecth the terrarium with plants and stuff.: http://snag.gy/taWZI.jpg
The bottom of the terrarium will be with white kitchen paper at least at the beginning to be able to control the feeding and toilet habits of the animal
Material:
I think I'll need a thermometer with probe for temperature control at the basking spot, like 2 or 3 thermometers, analog or digital for the sup /average part and average /inferior, so I can control the temperature gradient of the terrarium.
The humidity will be maintained through water squirts probably 3-4 times a day and one or two home made dripper (bottle or jug upset upside down with a little hole for dripping at leaves and then to the drainage system (my big design problem until now, I'll probably have to put a hidden container in the bottom to collect it )
Lamps: (some good tips here was cool, research also I have to admit was not so much on this topic)
An long longitudinal 6.0 UVB lamp or a compact uvb lamp in the same direction as the basking spot.
A basking spot lamp, and a lamp 100w or 150w ceramic (due to the height of the terrarium I do not know what is indicated to be desired temperatures) connected to a thermostat (as I mentioned here, has not researched a lot and still do not know what are the lights setup or the most appropriate). The lamps will be placed on the outside of the terrarium. The uvb and basking spot at 30cm from the place where the animal should walk more and the ceramic at a distance from the ceiling so the network dont heat and the animal does not burn up the climbing net.
Being the 3 lamps compact it should leave something like that, being that baskingspot is the red one, the green is uvb and yellow is ceramic.
http://snag.gy/am860.jpg
Conditions:
I seek to provide a temp. of 30/32ºC in basking spot. at the sup / Average 29/32 °, intermediate 22/26 ° and below 20/21 ° at night hopefully keep the temp at 18/21. Day will be uvb lamps / spot (tied around 12h) + the ceramic connected to the thermostat at night and only ceramic connected to the thermostat.
I´m sorry for the mistakes I probably wrote but I hope I could make myself understandable. Hopping on replays and thank you!
Just want to make sure that your hibiscus also lives a long, happy life with your cham 
