Chamcham87
New Member
What are your thoughts on these starter kits. Especially the Reptibreeze chameleon kit. I want to get a panther and I would prefer to spend the money on him.
Starter kits
- Thread starter Chamcham87
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Chamcham87
New Member
Is there any posts in one location on recommendations?
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think Olimpia has a blog post somewhere... Maybe the "costs of owning a chameleon" or something like that. Search for that blog post and see if that's the info you need. I absolutely agree with buying everything separate. You will save money in the long run.
The things you don't want to cheap out on:
Screen cage, get a nice one
Drainage pan (I like the LLL Reptile one that sits under the cage, not inside it)
UVB light - get the tube kind the same length as your cage
Misting system or pump sprayer, I have a mistking and absolutely love it, this isn't a must have, you can mist by hand
Digital thermometer and hygrometer, get a good one
Spend money on bugs regularly - silkworms, hornworms, etc, this is an on going cost but so beneficial to your Cham.
Get real plants.
Don't buy a uv/basking lamp combo.
Don't get a red light.
Don't buy a water fountain.
Don't spend a lot of money on a basking light. Get s shop done and use a normal light Bulb.
Don't buy dirt, mulch, or coco fiber for your cage. Leave the bottom bare.
Those are the thoughts off the top of my head. Good luck!
The things you don't want to cheap out on:
Screen cage, get a nice one
Drainage pan (I like the LLL Reptile one that sits under the cage, not inside it)
UVB light - get the tube kind the same length as your cage
Misting system or pump sprayer, I have a mistking and absolutely love it, this isn't a must have, you can mist by hand
Digital thermometer and hygrometer, get a good one
Spend money on bugs regularly - silkworms, hornworms, etc, this is an on going cost but so beneficial to your Cham.
Get real plants.
Don't buy a uv/basking lamp combo.
Don't get a red light.
Don't buy a water fountain.
Don't spend a lot of money on a basking light. Get s shop done and use a normal light Bulb.
Don't buy dirt, mulch, or coco fiber for your cage. Leave the bottom bare.
Those are the thoughts off the top of my head. Good luck!
NHenn
Avid Member
Hey don't hate on the complete setups hahaha! We actually developed ours with this in mind as buying separately can be great but you do end up paying shipping multiple times and sometimes even sales tax which can add up quick so we tried to model ours off what you would be able to pay if you ordered everything separate.
Our setups come with some of, if not the best products on the market so you won't be wasting any money on lesser quality or items you won't need. They are on the higher end cost wise but you can't go wrong with Dragon Strand cages, Tropical Blaze lighting fixtures and discounts on the chameleons
Our setups come with some of, if not the best products on the market so you won't be wasting any money on lesser quality or items you won't need. They are on the higher end cost wise but you can't go wrong with Dragon Strand cages, Tropical Blaze lighting fixtures and discounts on the chameleons
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
I had never looked at Canvas Chameleon's set up packages before. Much, much, much nicer than the packages I usually see at the pet store *cough*. I really like that it includes sticks!
https://www.canvaschameleons.com/product-category/complete-setup-packages/
I will link it to avoid any conflict of interest
OP: Something like this would be good to consider - it includes a good quality screen cage and doesn't sneak in a bunch of stuff you don't need. The UV light in this kit is really nice. I love the Arcadia bulbs and the 6.5K is good for your plants and has great color rendering. Plus CC is a forum sponsor, so you know they are good people
On top of this - get yourself a timer power strip. I have this one. It's very nice to have the lights automated.
http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11893-Digital-Center-1875-Watt/dp/B0012GTRSW
https://www.canvaschameleons.com/product-category/complete-setup-packages/
I will link it to avoid any conflict of interest
OP: Something like this would be good to consider - it includes a good quality screen cage and doesn't sneak in a bunch of stuff you don't need. The UV light in this kit is really nice. I love the Arcadia bulbs and the 6.5K is good for your plants and has great color rendering. Plus CC is a forum sponsor, so you know they are good people
On top of this - get yourself a timer power strip. I have this one. It's very nice to have the lights automated.
http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11893-Digital-Center-1875-Watt/dp/B0012GTRSW
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NHenn
Avid Member
I had never looked at Canvas Chameleon's set up packages before. Much, much, much nicer than the packages I usually see at the pet store *cough*. I really like that it includes sticks!
https://www.canvaschameleons.com/product-category/complete-setup-packages/
I will link it to avoid any conflict of interest
OP: Something like this would be good to consider - it includes a good quality screen cage and doesn't sneak in a bunch of stuff you don't need. The UV light in this kit is really nice. I love the Arcadia bulbs and the 6.5K is good for your plants and has great color rendering. Plus CC is a forum sponsor, so you know they are good people
On top of this - get yourself a timer power strip. I have this one. It's very nice to have the lights automated.
http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11893-Digital-Center-1875-Watt/dp/B0012GTRSW
Thank you!
NHenn
Avid Member
Just for other options, I really love these timers too: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-TM01715D-7-Day-Digital-Program/dp/B001BPOBTY
They are not too bad on price and with the two outlets you can plug in both the UVB fixture and the Basking light. If you use more than two outlets then this won't be the best option but just for the lights it works really well.
They are not too bad on price and with the two outlets you can plug in both the UVB fixture and the Basking light. If you use more than two outlets then this won't be the best option but just for the lights it works really well.
Pharaoh2015
New Member
Reptibreezes starter kit is not great
I had to replace the light fixtures and Uvb set up a month in and after my Cham started being more active and less stressed.
The overall cost isn't bad but if I could go back I would get the XL cage and buy everything separate because I spent 600-800 dollars on my veiled's cage. Most of this was for the second cage I made myself
I had to replace the light fixtures and Uvb set up a month in and after my Cham started being more active and less stressed.
The overall cost isn't bad but if I could go back I would get the XL cage and buy everything separate because I spent 600-800 dollars on my veiled's cage. Most of this was for the second cage I made myself
jcarlsen
Chameleon Enthusiast
I got the screameleons ultimate setup kit for my little guy. He seems to be doing well in there a week in. The mister that comes with it is complete garbage, but if you're feeling a little DIY, you can turn it into a rain dome with a plastic planter cup. There's a pic of it in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/combining-misting-system-elements-141153/
mvad
Established Member
If I had to do it again I would go with this complete kit. $500 seems like a lot but the kit is excellent. I bought a kit from a site sponser and pretty much replaced every component because they were just "meh".
Great looking kits:
https://www.canvaschameleons.com/product-category/complete-setup-packages/
Great looking kits:
https://www.canvaschameleons.com/product-category/complete-setup-packages/
Chamcham87
New Member
Thanks for all the great advice!! Unfortunately it's made me realize I'm not really able to afford what I want and I'm not looking to neglect anything. So I'll wait till I can. Thanks guys!!!
Chamcham87
New Member
Anyway to get a link to that blog post?
NHenn
Avid Member
http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/2012/03/average-cost-of-owning-chameleon.html
I believe this is the correct link. Olimpia's blog is amazing and has a ton of information.
