Waterfall Compilation

Syn · Dec 19, 2010

Within the next few days I will be making a post on why waterfalls should be avoided because on another forum I'm on, people use them left and right and when I tell them they are a breeding ground for bacteria they tell me to back it up with facts and get huffy...

Any threads or posts you can link me to with information regarding waterfalls would be great. I will start posting links here for my reference so I don't lose track of them.

Syn · Dec 19, 2010

I'd just like to say, WOW! No wonder people use waterfalls, every single time I try to type in any combination of keywords for harmful bacteria in waterfalls or why waterfalls should not be used.
I get the same 40 products advertising their "bacteria-free resin" or how good they look in cages with their added humidity benefits... *sigh*

pssh · Dec 19, 2010

The way I see it is, would you drink it? If I'm afraid of any bacteria in it, I wouldn't give it to my animals unless that bacteria is beneficial to them and not to me (like fish for example.) look for some studies on bacteria in filtered water sources, not just for the waterfalls.

Syn · Dec 19, 2010

Good point, Kara.

I'll see what I can find... but now my computer isn't loading half of what I'm trying to load. Oh joy.

YOSHI · Dec 19, 2010

https://www.chameleonforums.com/supplements-50329/

Theres one of my first threads when i had a waterfall, lots of advice on why not to keep it and lots on the subject i originally posted for lol added bonus, i should really post some update pics because thanks to all the advice given on the forum my viv looks nothing alike anymore and is alot safer environment now

bigbossd1030 · Dec 20, 2010

Now, is it okay to use a waterfall if it is cleaned everyday? And I mean really cleaned, not just rinsed.

Syn · Dec 20, 2010

The amount of time and effort needed to really clean a waterfall would probably mean you could only use it every other day.
That would cause a lot of unnecessary stress for your chameleon.

If you HAVE to use a waterfall, use it outside of the cage.

javsto · Feb 23, 2011

Syn said:
The amount of time and effort needed to really clean a waterfall would probably mean you could only use it every other day.
That would cause a lot of unnecessary stress for your chameleon.

If you HAVE to use a waterfall, use it outside of the cage.

ok so lets say i have a small waterfall/fogging system and i keep it outside of the habitat in a bucket with a closed lid but there is a hose runniong from the top of the lid to the cage and that end is inserted into one side of the cage to increase the humidity (if necessary). Where is the best location to place the tube/hose, somewhere in the middle so that it doesnt cool off the basking area or closer to the bottom for the fog to increase the humidity. I also saw a youtube vid where the owner used a gatorade bottle filled with water and a hole drilled into the screw cap, one for the tube and fogger unit and the other for the fog to exit through so that the chammy or feeders couldnt get into it.

Syn · Feb 23, 2011

Sorry, not really understanding what you are trying to say.

If you are looking for a good humidity boost, consider this post:
Really easy ultrasonic humidifier journal - Dendroboard

Archaleon · Feb 24, 2011

I was wondering... what about a "small waterfall", which would always use clean water?
Like : a very little of water running on a vegetal wall and some "river path rock" or stuff like this, and which water goes directly to water the plants down the terra and then is evacuated ?

(dunno if it makes good sense)

Would this relatively "bactery safe"?

jpm995 · Feb 24, 2011

I have a waterfall that overflows into a 130gal indoor pond that my cham freeranges over the top of.The pond has tropical fish with many filters and he seems fine with it. I've seen him shooting his tongue and eating the wet moss that grows on it. With the small waterfalls in the smaller setups IF the waterfall is cleaned often enough it should be safe and add to the humidity level. Not sure if its worth the time and effort though.

Syn · Feb 24, 2011

Archaleon said:
I was wondering... what about a "small waterfall", which would always use clean water?
Like : a very little of water running on a vegetal wall and some "river path rock" or stuff like this, and which water goes directly to water the plants down the terra and then is evacuated ?

(dunno if it makes good sense)

Would this relatively "bactery safe"?

Short answer: No.

See the links above about cleaning and what not..

jpm995 said:
I have a waterfall that overflows into a 130gal indoor pond that my cham freeranges over the top of.The pond has tropical fish with many filters and he seems fine with it. I've seen him shooting his tongue and eating the wet moss that grows on it. With the small waterfalls in the smaller setups IF the waterfall is cleaned often enough it should be safe and add to the humidity level. Not sure if its worth the time and effort though.

Have you had a fecal done on your chameleon lately? Just out of curiosity.
In your opinion, how often is often enough (for cleaning)?

Sawa Cham · Feb 24, 2011

Waterfall

Honestly, I have had a waterfall and fogger in my Chams cage for almost 2 months and im sick of it.. poop gets in it, insects try to crawl into the cracks .. its way over rated and yes.. cleaning the waterfall is just a pain so as of right now, im taking it out. I have a dripper system which serves as a great source for hydration since I catch him drinking from the tube all the time.. haha, doesnt even lick the leaves, just goes straight for the tube! NO WATERFALLS

pennington · Feb 24, 2011

I've mentioned this in a few threads so far but here goes...

A major museum in the UK (I mean major) has the following set up;

at the base of the exhibit is water and the water is filled with clay balls that are inert. A pump is placed in this water. Peat panels are placed over the top of the clay balls and this creates a false bottom to prevent the Chameleon from entering the water underneath.

Now... the pump has a tube that pumps water up the back of the background and then over the top to create a trickle of water down the front of the background. Plants are put into the peat panel.

They spray the Chameleons each day aswell as the water feature.

So are they just lucky? they've had this system in place for years and say it increases the humidity and reduces the maintanence. I've spoke to them about achieving this set up in my own home and said I could achieve it with my exo-terra terrarium.

melric · Feb 24, 2011

I see all the threads about them harboring bacteria, but I wanna see the threads where cham's have died from said bacteria.

Sawa Cham · Feb 24, 2011

That sounds like a great set up to me. The only problem I see with people trying to manipulate there own systems incorperating waterfalls is the fact that most people dont have the time keep up or invest into a system of that stature. Most people only need something to bring the reptile into a closer relative natural state. Humidity and reptile hydration can be achieved through simple means of a dripper and a mister.. waterfalls in my opinion bring more attention than benifit when it comes to the household. Its safer to be simple for the chameleon rather than to be fancy with the waterfall. To much upkeep when adding in all the other small factors of keeping your chameleon healthy.

pennington · Feb 24, 2011

melric said:
I see all the threads about them harboring bacteria, but I wanna see the threads where cham's have died from said bacteria.

I do love a balanced argument. Let the forum speak out if chameleon deaths are linked to waterfalls. This could get interesting and what makes a forum worthwhile and beneficial.

Chameleon keepers take the floor...

Carlton · Feb 24, 2011

Syn said:
The amount of time and effort needed to really clean a waterfall would probably mean you could only use it every other day.
That would cause a lot of unnecessary stress for your chameleon.

If you HAVE to use a waterfall, use it outside of the cage.

Frankly, beside all the worries about bacteria soups and the fact that most chams wouldn't drink out of them anyway, I've never liked waterfalls regardless of their design...

they look stupid
are a pain in the neck to haul out of a setup to clean
they look stupid
the actual rise in cage humidity is pretty minimal
they look stupid
feeders constantly get into them, and oh, did I mention that
they look stupid??

The only advantage in a waterfall for me is the sound...and my cham can't hear that anyway.

pennington · Feb 24, 2011

Carlton said:
Frankly, beside all the worries about bacteria soups and the fact that most chams wouldn't drink out of them anyway, I've never liked waterfalls regardless of their design...

they look stupid
are a pain in the neck to haul out of a setup to clean
they look stupid
the actual rise in cage humidity is pretty minimal
they look stupid
feeders constantly get into them, and oh, did I mention that
they look stupid??

The only advantage in a waterfall for me is the sound...and my cham can't hear that anyway.

Interesting argument. We have a member that dislikes waterfalls. Point noted and the forum awaits more opinions.

Texas Panther Man · Feb 24, 2011

I have a question? Why have one in a chameleon cage? A cham is arboreal, why do you want a waterfall in a tree/shrub dwellers cage. He/she is not aquatic in any way. (And yes Ive seen pics/vids of a few chams swimming) Its an unneccesarry addition to a chameleon enclosure. Now if we were talking about poison dart frogs or salamanders I could see where adding a water feature would be a nice addition. But frankly when I picture a chameleon cruising through the rain forest I picture big lush vegetation not some dinky plastic water feature bubbling some stanky water down a cheap looking fake rock. Jmo...

Waterfall Compilation

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