Water Pump

[Forestdellic]

So I was looking up on C. parsonii and I came upon this video on youtube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOjaAST-nyI

It seems fairly simple. A small bowl with a low wattage pump. I was thinking that maybe adding an aquarium filter and pointing the spray bar up would help to keep the water clean and free of stagnation and as well mimic moving water.

It functions exactly like one of those exo terra water falls however it's bigger and the water is clearer.

I was wondering if perhaps this would work in a veiled chameleon setup?

 

[Chance Leon G]

like the fountain of water

I like the fountain of water. I can see from the video how it really works to attract them to drinking lots of water. However, I do not like the recycle of water and the bacteria it builds up in the bowl of the fountain. If you change the water daily, maybe every other and clean it out diligently it may be OK. Like cat water fountains they will build up with bacteria. You will know when it gets slimy. Then it may be too late as chams generally are very sensitive to bacteria.
Maybe some of the experts can weigh in on this. I have heard a lot from them here about water features in terrariums.
Good luck. Greg

 

[Devokid]

Yeah, they seem like a great idea, but they will not work for watering chameleons due to the bacteria build up. Inevitably some bug will get in there, die, and then your chameleon will get poisoned. Chameleons are also terrible swimmers and could fall in and drown. Good for looks, bad in practice.

 

[Forestdellic]

Wouldn't the filter keep the bacteria levels down? I've kept sensitive fish before like Angel fish and Discus. If there are such dangerous levels of bacteria wouldn't this affect sensitive fish as well? You would just have to do weekly water changes.

Netting could always be placed on top of the fountain. The chameleons won't fall, insects won't get in and the water can still fall through.

I'm just speculating here

 

[Reed7786]

I'm also curious here, does anyone know what material/filter would be necessary to eliminate the bacteria from fecal matter? I'm working on my water system now on a new cage and I'm thinking about making it on a loop but going to some aquarium filter mesh/activated charcoal and they have other rocks that take certain chemicals out beyond the charcoal but can't seem to find any help.

 

[littlebigbox]

I've actually been looking into doing something like this for my cham and researched the heck out of it. Simple carbon filter or fish filters would not work, they don't filter out bacteria as fish need "good" bacteria to eat the "bad" bacteria. All fish filters promote growth of "good" bacteria.

Everything i've found to make this safe for a chameleon, would be to buy a home purification system (usually starting at $300). They're huge but use mechanical (sponges and foam) as well as chemical and sometimes UV filtration/sterilization as well. I'm considering trying to makeshift a Brita type filter cartridge on my fish tank pump and see if that will help cut down on bacteria, but it's not going so well so far.

My cham has drunk from the sink before and seems to like more running water over just drips on leaves and I don't have room at the moment for a real drainage system to have a heavy duty misting system right now (I spray mist by hand multiple times a day.) If someone can makeshift a decent fountain with good filtration, please post it! I would love to use it!!! Also, if I come up with anything, I'll let you guys know.

So, yeah, for getting rid of bacteria you need some type of pre-filter, foam/sponge as well as activated carbon (all that fish filters use,) as well as some kind of either chemical filtration (chlorine usually, no thanks!) or a UV or reverse osmosis system. They work great but are expensive and huuuge.

 

[Reed7786]

I've actually been looking into doing something like this for my cham and researched the heck out of it. Simple carbon filter or fish filters would not work, they don't filter out bacteria as fish need "good" bacteria to eat the "bad" bacteria. All fish filters promote growth of "good" bacteria.

Everything i've found to make this safe for a chameleon, would be to buy a home purification system (usually starting at $300). They're huge but use mechanical (sponges and foam) as well as chemical and sometimes UV filtration/sterilization as well. I'm considering trying to makeshift a Brita type filter cartridge on my fish tank pump and see if that will help cut down on bacteria, but it's not going so well so far.

My cham has drunk from the sink before and seems to like more running water over just drips on leaves and I don't have room at the moment for a real drainage system to have a heavy duty misting system right now (I spray mist by hand multiple times a day.) If someone can makeshift a decent fountain with good filtration, please post it! I would love to use it!!! Also, if I come up with anything, I'll let you guys know.

So, yeah, for getting rid of bacteria you need some type of pre-filter, foam/sponge as well as activated carbon (all that fish filters use,) as well as some kind of either chemical filtration (chlorine usually, no thanks!) or a UV or reverse osmosis system. They work great but are expensive and huuuge.

I'm working on finishing up my drain/filter assembly today. I'll let you know what I find at the store later. I've been researching myself and think there are a few filter/chemical combinations that may work. I'm looking into getting RO for the house anyways but for awhile I believe I can get something to work. I do have a few extra Britta filters and was going to just incorporate that so I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

[frankpayne32]

No reason to try to reinvent the wheel. Just mist or drip fresh water for your chameleon. Keep in mind that chameleons aren't fish and "good" water for fish is not the same as good water for chameleons. Chameleons drink rain and dew, not from bodies of water, even from moving bodies of water. I understand the appeal of not having to worry about water dripping and splashing in your cage and possibly out of it but it's something that can be worked around and is just a part of healthy chameleon keeping.