ReptiGeek
New Member
Okay guys just wanted to quickly share a helpful tip I stumbled across in the Poison Dart Frog trade that I then incorporated into my chameleon keeping and has proven effective with zero negatives. This goes out to everyone using glass terrariums to keep their chameleons in.
Yes, keeping your chameleon in an Exo Terra is fine. Chris Anderson (chameleon keeper legend) has proven that to us. But what I noticed when going through photos of glass-terrarium chameleon keepers is that there was always a fan turned on somewhere close by. Now this fan I assume was to help push air through the vent strips below the door, up and out of the top mesh. This prevents the air from going stagnant, which benefits your chameleon AND believe it or not, your plants. Stagnant air can kill your plants faster than you can say mississippi.
I have over a year of experience keeping chameleons in Exo Terra's (I use mesh now for my adults and still Exo Terra's for my younger boy). So what I did was I converted a computer fan ($5 from Best Buy) into a USB plug-in fan, all you need is an old USB cable you don't use anymore. Then you will need a USB-outlet plug (the square ones you use for your iPhones and iPods). It requires ZERO electrical skills, anyone can do this.
Once you have completed the conversion, go ahead and plug it in and place it on top of your mesh enclosure, somewhere off to the side (as not to disrupt the basking temperature). The air flow does not stress out your chameleon because it is so subtle, yet it allows pristine ventilation and prevents any stagnant air from sitting still. If you have it directly on top of a plant it will dry out the leaves faster, so monitor your humidity drop after installing the fan and adjust accordingly.
I want to quickly say that I do not think that not using a fan is wrong, for my chameleons are quite healthy today and they didn't have personal fans throughout their first few months with me. But I do think these USB fans will be that much more beneficial for your chameleons respiratory system AND plant life. I REALLY don't want to start any bashing of any kind. The glass terrarium vs. mesh terrarium controversy was settled long ago, so there is no need for anyone to be upset with people still using Exo Terra's. Yes mesh enclosures tend to be larger, which is preferred, but I also know of a few breeders who use 18x18x36 screen enclosures to free up space, and yet their chameleons are doing quite well (and obviously beautiful because we all buy from their offspring =P).
Remember, this is a helpful TIP, not a reprimanding.
This video is not my own, but what I used to guide me through the steps of making one of these USB fans.
Also if anyone has any suggestions or discouragement towards using a low-powered USB fan, let me know! Give your reasoning and I will certainly put a cease to this topic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKMoQ1vDiAI
Yes, keeping your chameleon in an Exo Terra is fine. Chris Anderson (chameleon keeper legend) has proven that to us. But what I noticed when going through photos of glass-terrarium chameleon keepers is that there was always a fan turned on somewhere close by. Now this fan I assume was to help push air through the vent strips below the door, up and out of the top mesh. This prevents the air from going stagnant, which benefits your chameleon AND believe it or not, your plants. Stagnant air can kill your plants faster than you can say mississippi.
I have over a year of experience keeping chameleons in Exo Terra's (I use mesh now for my adults and still Exo Terra's for my younger boy). So what I did was I converted a computer fan ($5 from Best Buy) into a USB plug-in fan, all you need is an old USB cable you don't use anymore. Then you will need a USB-outlet plug (the square ones you use for your iPhones and iPods). It requires ZERO electrical skills, anyone can do this.
Once you have completed the conversion, go ahead and plug it in and place it on top of your mesh enclosure, somewhere off to the side (as not to disrupt the basking temperature). The air flow does not stress out your chameleon because it is so subtle, yet it allows pristine ventilation and prevents any stagnant air from sitting still. If you have it directly on top of a plant it will dry out the leaves faster, so monitor your humidity drop after installing the fan and adjust accordingly.
I want to quickly say that I do not think that not using a fan is wrong, for my chameleons are quite healthy today and they didn't have personal fans throughout their first few months with me. But I do think these USB fans will be that much more beneficial for your chameleons respiratory system AND plant life. I REALLY don't want to start any bashing of any kind. The glass terrarium vs. mesh terrarium controversy was settled long ago, so there is no need for anyone to be upset with people still using Exo Terra's. Yes mesh enclosures tend to be larger, which is preferred, but I also know of a few breeders who use 18x18x36 screen enclosures to free up space, and yet their chameleons are doing quite well (and obviously beautiful because we all buy from their offspring =P).
Remember, this is a helpful TIP, not a reprimanding.
This video is not my own, but what I used to guide me through the steps of making one of these USB fans.
Also if anyone has any suggestions or discouragement towards using a low-powered USB fan, let me know! Give your reasoning and I will certainly put a cease to this topic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKMoQ1vDiAI
