What is better?

[camaleonte82]

which is better? having a cage set up with a simple bottom thats easy to clean/drain or having the same set up with dirt, and plants growing from the bottom? seems to me that the natural forest floor one would be easier to care for but you would also have the problems of plants dying and rotting, fruitflies developing, and the cham eating dirt. this would be for a male so im not worried about eggs. i just dont want to spend the time and money to make the bottom of the cage like a real forest floor and then have more trouble because of it

 

[Seeco]

Easy clean and drain. Everything else is just aesthetics. Good thread topic.

 

[Sun]

i agree i use paper towels on the bottom with vines hanging and umbrella plants

 

[PantherEnvy]

You have to have a plain bottom. Easy cleaning and draining. If you're good, you will have a drainage system underneath...

 

[amalthea23]

I'm new to it, but I use craft foam, cut to size on the bottom. I can use whatever color I want if I feel the need to jazz it up, it can be cleaned off (or cheaply replaced) and it's ok getting dripped on all day. All my plants live in pots either suspended from the top of the cage, or sitting on the bottom. I'm not sure how you'd really effectively clean plants that were permanently potted in the cage. You'd likely kill the plants trying and end up leaving bits of injestable substrate scattered around, which, from what I've read, isn't good.

 

[Trillian]

I used substrate because I thought it looked better, but it was a nightmare for drainage, a pain to clean poop from and my vet said as my chameleon was wild caught and had hookworms the substrate was a very effective way for her to be continually reinfested.

Some members use astro-turf type stuff, that can look good, and I also love the craft foam idea.

 

[sandrachameleon]

which is better? having a cage set up with a simple bottom thats easy to clean/drain or having the same set up with dirt, and plants growing from the bottom? seems to me that the natural forest floor one would be easier to care for but you would also have the problems of plants dying and rotting, fruitflies developing, and the cham eating dirt. this would be for a male so im not worried about eggs. i just dont want to spend the time and money to make the bottom of the cage like a real forest floor and then have more trouble because of it

both can work. Both require maintenance / effort. I think a plain floor is easier (and the cham doesnt care).

 

[coldbloodedAL]

I use both, but mostly planted set ups( 6out of my 7 are fully planted). Each has there own advantages and disadvantages. I work a little harder for my planted set ups, but in the end it is so worth it imo. That being said, The ease of cleaning/maintenance in un-planted set up makes them a much better option for newbs or keepers who simply dont have the time to maintain a planted set up.
My. 02..