Setup Info please

[JordanD]

Hello I'm new to Chameleons and have researched and researched about them for about two months already mainly Panther Chameleons and I'm still learning (I'm getting one in about 2months) and would really appreciate more advice I've started on the setup I have the 65 Gallon Flexarium (upgrading to the 100Gal. when Cham reaches 1yr of age), Exo terra Solar Glo MV Bulb 125W, Repti Fogger, The Big Dripper, two thermometers, one Hygrometer, 6 meter of Vine, Still got to get a Ficus Tree and a few more live Plants Does this sound OK or is everything wrong? thank You for any advice You have got for me here are a couple pics of the setup up to now

 

[Raphael1047]

do you have a uvb light? i believe 5.0 uvb for panthers.

 

[arnau666]

the Exo Terra Solar Glo 125w has uvb and uva it is 2 in one

 

[arnau666]

be careful with the bulb how far or close you put it! its all about getting the right height !

 

[JordanD]

Ok I will be, I've been moving it lower to get the temps right and it seems that I have found the right placing. other than that is everything looking ok up to now? thank You for the advice.

 

[Murrdox]

In terms of lighting, you have two factors you want to get right: heat, and UVB.

So far, I'm not sure with this bulb you're hitting either of those right. You haven't submitted any measurements for what the temperature in your terrarium is yet. I know you don't have your plant yet, so that might be difficult. You need to properly measure the temperature at your chameleon's basking spot, and then the ambient temperature in the cage. There should be a gradient so he can move up and down and from side to side to find where he's comfortable, and you don't wan the basking spot too hot. Secondly in terms of UVB, you need to have the right AMOUNT of UVB. On these forums, and other places, experts will tell you that UVB 5.0 is ideal for chameleons. For this bulb that you have, which I'm not familiar with, it only says what the wattage is. I can't find any information on Exo-Terra's website or anywhere else that says how powerful the UVB on the bulb is.

"Optimal levels of UVB, UVA, visual light and heat in one bulb
Self-ballasted mercury vapour bulb
Provides the benefits of natural sunlight
Helps prevent metabolic bone disease
Increased UVB penetration distance (+30 cm)"

That really doesn't mean anything to me, and it shouldn't to you. Too much UVB can literally make your chameleon go blind, and too little and he'll develop deficiencies.

The other thing you'll need to think about is drainage for the drip system, which it doesn't look like you have setup yet.

Otherwise you are good. I hate the mesh cages personally, but you're not putting him in an aquarium so you're good there. You're getting live plants, good grades there, and you've got vines and fake plants too. Good to go. The fogger I don't really think is necessary unless you live in a really dry area and humidity is a problem, but it probably won't hurt either.

 

[JordanD]

Thank You for the advice, the breeder of the Cham I will be getting in about two months advised Me that the bulb I bought was perfect for the Panther Chameleon and His are doing better than ever before when he used tubes but I guess everyone is different but if I see any problems of any kind I will change the lighting/heating straight away and the temps at the moment are... Basking spot: 90°F Middle: 80°F Bottom: 75°F Are these ok? and Humidity is at 55 at the moment but there is no plants in there, hopefully they will help and with the routine misting I hope to get the right humidity. About the drainage I'm hoping for the drops to fall on to the large Ficus, would I still need drainage? Thank You again.

 

[arnau666]

on their web site doesnt say much about the uvb of that bulb you can email them and ask about the uvb or get a uvb reader and measure it !

get more branches,vines in there and more plants !so he can get up and down!

here is a vid about the bulb ,i hope it helps :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZraKiKFtCY

 

[mcleodschams]

i use the exxo terra solar glo only on my males not females they are too hot imo but they have a great unb output 12-18"minimum as to most bulbs 5.0 is a 12-18 maximum so yes its a great bulb just imo some do not like them because of ther whole basking spot and uvbspot in the cage but i believe as long as they are receaving the light they are in need of it shouldn't really matter again jmo.

 

[Midnighthwk]

not sure about panthers much but my veiled ate 95% of my ficus.
and ate enough of my jade for me to take it out till it regows a bunch.

i would say go with umbrella plants in well drainage soil.
other than that i think they covered it for now

my cage is a lil big bigger than yours though (449 galons)
in my cage i have 11 unbrella plants, 2 ficus, 7 pothos.

i also have some maples, ninebark, dogwood, jade and some other flowering plants that i am waiting to get a lil bigger before adding them

 

[koben]

Hi

I’m new here. I plan to buy a Velied these days.
My questions are:
- any species of ficus are suitable for chameleons or only benjamina and elastica are proper? E. g. what about ficus retusa?
- i put it to you whether Coffea arabica is toxic or not for Chameleons

 

[Midnighthwk]

welcome koben

till u find out more info i would say start with
pothos ( epipermnum )
weeping fig ( ficus benjamina )
umbrella plant ( schefflera arboricola )

 

[Murrdox]

About the drainage I'm hoping for the drops to fall on to the large Ficus, would I still need drainage? Thank You again.

Yeah, you're going to need drainage. Even if you have a large bowl under the plant to catch overflow, if you're dripping and misting as often as you should, it'll fill up quick. Then you'll have to deal with emptying out the bowl, because it will get very nasty very quick and your cage will be a haven for bacteria and fungus. Emptying the bowl won't be very easy cause you have a huge tree in the middle of it, etc...

Trust me, I had that setup for awhile and it wasn't fun it was too much effort and probably not healthy for my chameleon.