Plants

[Kris142]

I see a lot of people are using the general potted plants in their setups, I was thinking of using fake plants but real branches and such, is that bad?

Also I'm getting confused with all this lighting information im reading about on these forums. Could someone enlighten me on what bulbs I would need, and what they are for(the cham or plant), which bulbs to aviod, etc. I'm in So Cal if that helps you guys with climate info. for heating bulbs and such.

 

[Chameleon Jim]

Fake plants can be eaten by chams and cause health problems. Some use em some dont.

You need a UVB bulb and a heat bulb for basking/temperature gradient. For the UVB go with Reptisun, it is a little more expensive than the Reptiglow but the UVB output and lifespan of the bulb is much better. Use the linear style, compacts can be problematic.

For the heat bulb, there are many options. Some use the mercury bulbs but they are expensive (think 50$). I personally just use a 100w Zoo Med spot lamp. I live in Az so our temps are similar.

Hope that helps.

 

[DGray]

both

I use both in my enclosures.

This is particularly significant in my case, because I sell live plants for a living. And I hate artificial plants.

I use one or two live plants inside the cage. But for the bulk of the cover inside the cage, the plants are sturdy fakes. I use these because I can bend their wires to arrange them in ways that give hiding areas that I feel are very important. A lot of these plants hang down vertically in a way that live plants would not naturally grow.

I also use larger live plants in pots outside the cage to add to the over-all sense of security for the animals inside. This also helps with humidity in the area.

I really like a densely "planted" environment. Other people like a more open look. I am more concerned with keeping the chams calm and comfortable.

 

[dodolah]

Live plants are the way to go. The benefits outweigh the extra care you need to do to ensure the plant is thriving.

 

[dodolah]

Some use the mercury bulbs but they are expensive (think 50$)

Mercury bulb (MVB) contain both UVB and Heat. However, the amount of UVB it emit is very high compared to Reptisun 5.0 Linear. You can accidentally over exposed your chameleon with UVB.
So, if you do not own a UVB Meter that can accurately measure how far you should place the bulb away from the cage, I suggest not to bother using it at all. Stick with Reptisun 5.0 linear and an incandescent bulb for heat.

 

[DGray]

bulbs

+1 on avoiding any kind of mercury vapor/halide bulbs. Way too dangerous in small enclosed spaces for me.

You've got to have a UV b source, and a 2 or 4 ft. Reptisun is great. Right on the top over a basking branch.

Unless you have great natural light hitting the cage, you probably will need a supplimental light for the plants too. I use 4 ft. shop lights or T-5 fluorescents on either side of the UV bulb. Makes for a better-looking environment, IMHO, too.

 

[serenitystarlite]

I love live plants. I have them in all of my cages. I don't, however, like the look of bare screen walls and wanted to go with a more natural look for my chams so I lined the cage walls with silk plants from the craft store. I didn't put many in my veiled's cage because I didn't want her to try to eat them, but I've only seen her eat her hibiscus, so I don't think I have anything to worry about. I do check them everyday to make sure she's not trying to eat them, but she has plently of live plants. I feel like the chams appreciate live plants and they help with humidity as well.

 

[Kris142]

Thanks for all the good stuff guys.

What plants do you recommend I use in the cage? I've seen a couple people say hibiscus, so I'll look into that, but what about vines? Im looking to get a Veiled cham.