nwc
New Member
My plan is to build a 24X24X48" enclosure for a young male panther from FLChams.
(Picture from FLCHAMS website: http://flchams.com/inventory_all.asp?id=1025 ).
I have read a lot about chameleon husbandry and think I have the basics down. I still have a few questions that are specific to my situation and require an experienced person. I'll jump right into it...
1. My friend runs a indoor hydroponics store and said I could have one of his 400w MH ballasts for my new chameleon enclosure. It dims down to 50%, so 200w(?), which is still pretty high for an enclosure of this size. I was thinking I could hang the hood from a high place in the room down to a foot from the top of the wire-mesh enclosure, or however much distance was required for a good basking temperature. and maybe using a inline exhaust fan to keep temperature down? That would reduce heat, light intensity, etc but still allow my natural decor to thrive under a full spectrum HID light. Does anyone have experience with using MH horticulture lights as an "all-in-one" solution?
(From amazon.com; very similar to what I could get for free)
2. After hours searching online, I came across this "extreme" chameleon setup from FLCHAMS (which eventually led me to their chams) http://flchams.com/extreme-complete-chameleon-cage-setups-for-sale.asp It includes a mistking set, but is it worth the $550/shipped pricetag?
3. The male panther (3 months old) I want is $350/shipped, I don't really want to buy all the stuff for a smaller enclosure like a 18X18X36.. Can I put the young chameleon straight into his "adult" enclosure?
4. Real plants, any suggestions on which plants will create a more tropical feel? I like the look of ficus alii and the "air plants" some people have used in their enclosures.
Thanks in advance,
NWC
(Picture from FLCHAMS website: http://flchams.com/inventory_all.asp?id=1025 ).
I have read a lot about chameleon husbandry and think I have the basics down. I still have a few questions that are specific to my situation and require an experienced person. I'll jump right into it...
1. My friend runs a indoor hydroponics store and said I could have one of his 400w MH ballasts for my new chameleon enclosure. It dims down to 50%, so 200w(?), which is still pretty high for an enclosure of this size. I was thinking I could hang the hood from a high place in the room down to a foot from the top of the wire-mesh enclosure, or however much distance was required for a good basking temperature. and maybe using a inline exhaust fan to keep temperature down? That would reduce heat, light intensity, etc but still allow my natural decor to thrive under a full spectrum HID light. Does anyone have experience with using MH horticulture lights as an "all-in-one" solution?
(From amazon.com; very similar to what I could get for free)
2. After hours searching online, I came across this "extreme" chameleon setup from FLCHAMS (which eventually led me to their chams) http://flchams.com/extreme-complete-chameleon-cage-setups-for-sale.asp It includes a mistking set, but is it worth the $550/shipped pricetag?
3. The male panther (3 months old) I want is $350/shipped, I don't really want to buy all the stuff for a smaller enclosure like a 18X18X36.. Can I put the young chameleon straight into his "adult" enclosure?
4. Real plants, any suggestions on which plants will create a more tropical feel? I like the look of ficus alii and the "air plants" some people have used in their enclosures.
Thanks in advance,
NWC
