Spray bottle versus mist system?

[lily2521]

I am getting all of my set up done before even purchasing a cham. We are getting a panther.

My question is, will hand-misting 2x a day be sufficient? Because of scheduling that's probably all we can do, or am I better off purchasing a timed misting system?

If I get a timed system, do I need a drainage system? Or...If hand-misting 2x a day, do we need a dripper?

If I get a timed system, do I need a dripper as well, or will the system be sufficient?

Obviously I'm having a hard time finding out what we need to set this up to get ready for our animal. If hand misting 2x a day is enough I might start there, try to save some money, but I didn't know if 2x a day would be enough?

 

[lily2521]

One more question I had, figured I'd add it here as opposed to starting a new thread...

Planning on a 18x18x36 cage to start, as we'll be getting a juvenile. How long will that cage last us until we need to upgrade to the 24x24x48?

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I can only advise as to what I do, but I work full time, so hand misting twice a day is all that I can manage and I have to say that I keep two chameleons happy and healthy using this method without a misting system.

I do have Zoo Med Big Drippers going constantly for the entire 12 hours that they are awake though, so they always have access to moisture on the leaves should they want a drink.

Misting twice a day by hand (for five mins, with warm water) seems to be fine keeping the humidity up in both my cages (and I live in the UK as well, where it is not as warm, so we do need to work a little harder sometimes!).

If you need anything further, please just ask.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

One more question I had, figured I'd add it here as opposed to starting a new thread...

Planning on a 18x18x36 cage to start, as we'll be getting a juvenile. How long will that cage last us until we need to upgrade to the 24x24x48?

I moved my adult male Veiled into his 24x24x48 enclosure about a month ago, when he was a year old. Your chameleon will be fine in the 18x18x36 for quite some time yet.

 

[nick barta]

Welcome to the Forum!

Hand misting 2 times a day, and a dripper for part of the day would be enough. Just hand misting might work if the cham isn't too shy, but the dripper will give the cham "alone" drinking time.

Misting systems are nice for convenience and being gone for days. They do require some drainage system.

Your cage size will work for many months, and you could keep the cham in there as an adult, but the larger cage will give the cham more room to roam, and is recommended.

You seem to have researched well, you will do well with your new cham.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[lily2521]

Thanks for your replies. When someone says mist for 5 minutes 2x a day, does that mean I just continually spray around the enclosure for about 5 minutes? About how much water do you use during that 5 minutes? A misting bottle's worth, 2 bottles full? I'm not finding answers on this...

I'll plan on hand misting 2x a day, and i'll get a dripper as well. With this system, do I need a drainage system, or will towels, etc. be sufficient?

 

[ZiggyStardust]

If you mist for five mins then you won't use a full bottle, unless it's small.

I have a litre misting bottle and I don't "power" it into the cage, I do it kind of softly, if that makes any sense?

Both of my chameleons are very different - my adult Veiled actively LIKES being misted, indeed, when I start, he will come to the top of the cage and let me spray him - he even turns around half way through so that I can get his other side, with both eyes closed. Because I use warm water, he thinks its like his morning shower!!

My 5 month old Panther, on the other hand, is not keen at all, so I try to mist the places where he isn't, and he moves around the cage to keep away from the spray.

I would say 3-5 mins, twice a day, so that everything is absolutely SOAKING WET - all the plants completely dripping, together with a little or big dripper for them to drink from if they need it would be fine.

In my opinion, a dripper is an essential if you don't have a misting system, as some chameleons will not drink in front of anyone, and by the time they might want a drink, if you are just relying on hand-spraying alone, there might be no water available.

I don't have a drainage tray in either of my cages.

The floor of both is covered with thick sponges - the type you get to wash your dishes? they soak up EVERYTHING and I come home in the evening, get a big bowl, squeeze them out and all is well!