Preparation for F. lateralis

[firefishbrain]

Hello all, I've been spending the past couple of weeks looking into some carpet chams (F. lateralis). Basically this was spurred by me getting an enclosure (30"Lx12"Dx24"H) for a couple of coral fragments from a local guy. the back and bottom are glass. I was informed by others that a carpet would be a nice way to ease into cham keeping, and I figure that after my hours and hours of reading, I should piece something together and get this "project" going.

So here is what I plan on doing thus far...

Enclosure
Screen 30L x 12D x 24H (inches, back and bottom are glass)

Heating (a couple of quick questions here)
8.5" Dome with clamp
What would be an appropriate wattage heat light for these guys for the mid 80's, 75w? Temps according to my thermostat read mid to upper 70's during the day, but it is starting to cool off.

UVB Lighting
20" fixture
18" 5.0 UVB Bulb

Humidity
I was thinking of getting the LLLrep misting system at the moment (mistking is on backorder, and I can't find a basic misting system used at a competitive price, but I will keep hunting)

Plants
I'd like to find a nice Hybiscus at HD or Menards, as well as a nice sized pothos. They will then be repotted with organic potting soil (something I need anyways for my cresteds nesting media)

Other
Branches and I really the vines by exoterra so I'll probably try and work those in as well.
Substrate- Long Strand Sphagum Moss???
Temp/Humidity Guage(s)

Now, some questions

I noticed while a quick google search that brought me to a thread here suggesting that the LLL mister system can only handle a couple of minutes of misting before blowing out and breaking. In the event that I go with this set up (It does come with a digital timer that can apparently turn on and off several times during a day) or any set up for that matter, should I make myself a dripping system to supplement.

Also, I have noticed that there seem to be few breeders of this species, I know there is one guy on here that is the carpet guru (the name escapes me), but the only other CB are from Bigappleherp. Has anyone had experience with them? i'm going to try and contact them sometime this weekend to see if they have available/possible pics of what is actually available. I would like a female (for the obvious more colorful reason) but Depending on my success with one, I would probably like to invest on a second set up and start a little breeding project.

Like I said, this is still in the beginning stages, so personal experience, advice would be greatly appreciated (like to avoid habbamist). Thanks all for reading my wall of text and any response!

 

[Jamelon]

hey and welcome to the forum! i think a 75w heat bulb will do fine for your enclosure and get a reptisun 5.0 uvb bulb its recommended by most people on this forum. Are you going to keep the enclosure indoors? if so then id suggest getting a ficus or an umbrella tree because hibiscus doesnt really do too well indoors. Im not 100% on this but i dont think you need a substrate for chameleons, just because if you free range your crickets it may pick up some of the substrate when feeding, hopefully other forum members will correct me if im wrong As for the misting system cant help you there but if you are worried about the LLL reptile one then just manually mist until you can get the mistking.

 

[laurie]

Welcome to the forum and soon to be chameleon ownership.
Jamelon gave some good advice. I would hand mist and wait for the mist king. The only substrate usually recommend is paper towels. I personally use nothing in my cages. The person who raises carpets, and where I got mine, is Dooley1, Kevin Stanford. Busy guy may take a day or two to get back to you.

Don't waste your money on the habba mister, sorry but they are crap. Might check our classified section and see if a used mist king is listed.

Your cage set up sounds good, just make sure to have branches going both vertical & horizontal for highways. There is a good article on carpet in "Chameleons! Online E-Zine"

Enjoy the addiction with the rest of us.

 

[firefishbrain]

Thanks all, I appreciate the advice!

Jameleon- Thank you for informing me about the Hibiscus, I'll have to find a ficus instead (I figure they are a bit easier to obtain from the local hardware store). As far as outdoors go, the climate gets quite cold, but perhaps it would be a possibility for next summer...

Laurie- Also, thanks. I will just start piecing this stuff together and leave the mist system last. And yes, Kevin was his name, I read his article on carpets multiple times already!!! I'll have to contact him at some point I suppose to see if he has anything available relatively soon. My main concern regarding substrate was because the moss helps to maintain humidity (at least for a while) I didn't know if it would aid in the maintenance of this parameter.

If there doesn't seem to be anything else, I think I'm going to take the plunge and start this up!!! I'll see if I can get some pics up at some point on my progress