stuff to put at the bottom of viv

[napoleon2411]

Hi... my boyfriend really wants to put something on the bottom of the via to cover the plant pots etc and make it look a bit more... jungley.
im under the impression that anything on the bottom, substrate stuff, is really bad.
any advice...? Im fed up with being the one fighting against friends silly ideas!

 

[coldbloodedAL]

you could add a bunch more smaller potted plants. I really cant see anything else unless you switched to an actual vivarium.

 

[napoleon2411]

Actual vivarium?

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Actual vivarium?

A fully planted, usually glass enclosure. Here is mine....

 

[coldbloodedAL]

A fully planted, usually glass enclosure. Here is mine....

Ahhh it didnt work, There are a bunch of pics in my thread...https://www.chameleonforums.com/update-my-xanth-rango-73096/

 

[justjumpit621]

If you guys really want it to look natural, you can put hydroballs on the bottom, then substrate such as peet moss or coconut husk on the bottom and then cover it with mesh.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

If you guys really want it to look natural, you can put hydroballs on the bottom, then substrate such as peet moss or coconut husk on the bottom and then cover it with mesh.

That is how i did mine, hydroton then screen then substrate.

 

[justjumpit621]

That is how i did mine, hydroton then screen then substrate.

no they would want the screen on the top so their little one doesn't eat any substrate. hydro, substrate, mesh

 

[camimom]

You can put a bunch of small potted plants on the bottom to hide it.
Or, reptile carpet.
Or, you can sort of make a planter box at the bottom of your cage, then cover the dirt with large river rocks.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

no they would want the screen on the top so their little one doesn't eat any substrate. hydro, substrate, mesh

gotcha, I just thought you had mixed up your words. I have never had problems, but every cham is different.

 

[Lizardlover]

In my experience, chameleons don't normally have a problem ingesting dirt, and won't do it in the first place. The problems with impaction normally arise from eating thicker things that are harder to pass (such as bark chips or other thick substrates). The problem with using a substrate in a regular enclosure is the bacteria buildup (I would highly recommend that you do NOT use reptile carpet). However, with a colony of springtails and some isopods, the fully planted type of enclosure is actually quite practical and clean.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

In my experience, chameleons don't normally have a problem ingesting dirt, and won't do it in the first place. The problem's with impaction normally arise from eating thicker things that are harder to pass (such as bark chips or other thick substrates). The problem with using a substrate in a regular enclosure is the bacteria buildup (I would highly recommend that you do NOT use reptile carpet). However, with a colony of springtails and some isopods, the fully planted type of enclosure is actually quite practical and clean.

^^^ Excellent thing to add. And its pretty interesting to watch the tropical springtails pick at everything. I remove feces even though they do work on that too.

 

[napoleon2411]

Thanks for all the advice guys. my little guy is only a 6 month hoe and im very worried about putting anything in that will hurt him. I'm very protective!

 

[napoleon2411]

what about artificial plants on the bottom?

 

[camimom]

what about artificial plants on the bottom?

thats fine too., though i prefer real. it looks nicer.
I suggest creating a planter box in the bottom, and removing your live plants from the pots, placing them in th eplanter box, then covering it in the rocks.

gives it a very natural look.

for example, to try to explain this better.

if you had a regular planter box, like what people put on window sills or fences for flowers.
fill it with dirt.
remove your plant from the store pot.
place the plant in the dirt and cover the roots.

esentialy create this box in your cage.
if your cage is mesh, you can get a few pieces of plexiglass, place them around the sides on the inside of your cage, then fill it with dirt, and plant your plants.

 

[napoleon2411]

I think ill try that. thanks very much

 

[camimom]

Very welcome.
Make sure you take pics!

 

[rangos]

put a chia pet at the bottom, or get some pet grass. that always looks nice.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I put paper towels down. Cheap, clean and nice.

 

[camimom]

I put paper towels down. Cheap, clean and nice.

they want to hide the pots from the live plants.