New Cage - feedback wanted before I start creating holes in the mesh for cables etc.

I upgraded from 38 Gallon Exo Terra Flexarium to the 100 Gallon model. I know a lot of people here aren't big fan of Flexariums but I got it for £18 UK + postage on ebay and my chameleon seems to be enjoying the extra space.

First thing I did when I got it was get out 'multi surface anti bacterial cleaner' and a large quantity of toilet roll and wiped down the plastic tray + all the plastic poles. I also put the nylon mesh through the washing machine.

My cabling is a complete mess currently and is running through the door. I might make 2 small holes to run the cables for UV through although i'd have to cut then rewire them or re-stich some of the nylon mesh as the (fairly large) fitting is attached to the cables from the starter motor and is too big to fit through a small hole. I don't want to do anything like this before getting some feedback. I would also need to make an additional hole for the heat sensor (which currently isn't in use but should be when I sort out lighting arrangements properly).

Out of interest, what does everyone else do with their thermometers and hygrometers? I have 3 thermomsters (top left and top right + ambient) and a hygrometer.

I have quite a number of additional fake plant but not really any obvious good uses for them at the moment. I'll also be getting som additional jungle vines in the next couple of weeks. Probably combine them together in some fancy way






Ficus Exotica + Ficus Gingseng Bonsai + 2 x small Hibiscus + Ficus benjamina = probably too many plants



Lights - front left-60W + back left-100W + right-40W. I also have a Repti Glo 5.0 UVB strip at the back.... This setup has to be on quite a while before my thermoter reads ~30C. I took out my dimming thermostat to see if it made a difference but I hope to add it back in and move the lights a bit closer to the mesh (and possibly move the 40W bulb further away although I think it's probably alright sitting on top). Need to get something to clamp it onto before moving it is possible


The man himself - perhaps slightly underweight? I've got more types of food arriving next week so hoping he will increase his interest in eating.

More photos can be found here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79994&id=505049404&l=e376a91982

I had an idea of attaching a hanging basket to the 2nd highest beam at the back with a pothos, a flowering (non toxic) plant and a fog machine. Thought that would create a fairly cool effect with the pothos and fog dropping down from the middle of the cage while increasing humidity and climbing choices. Anyone done anything similar to this before?

I currently use 2 plastic cups with holes in the bottom + a hand mister for watering purposes.

I'd appreciate any feedback on how I can improve this setup and if anything is particualrly correct i'd like to know so I don't change it when making future improvements.

Wires.

I no the feeling with all the cords everywhere. I have one of these mesh enclosures as well. I know that mine has a zipper on the bottom as well as the top. Maybe try running the thermo-hydro sensors through the bottom zipper or cut a very small slit ( so no crickets or feed escape) to run the senor wires inside.

-ben

Reptisun 5.0's are supierior to the reptiglo's and would be more benificial for your chameleon.

pssh said:

Reptisun 5.0's are supierior to the reptiglo's and would be more benificial for your chameleon.

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So I heard on this forum. If I recall the results of the test I saw were done using a single bulb/tube of each make and I only saw the results of one test so I am not bought by this 100% but I will probably purchase a Reptisun 5.0 as a replacement for my current bulb which I got in May as the only thing I have on the topic says they are better.

I have made some improvements to this cage.

Raised 2 of my hibiscus plants using some plant pots I found in my garden (my mum bought them and had no use for them). My camera can't handle the UV light.



I also added another Jungle Vine and combined it with bamboo cane and plant sticks to create a number of perches for him.



I really should do something to get the cables round the back of the cage out of the way, visually.


I made holes in the mesh for the cables for the UV light to go through and purchase an Arcadia D3 bulb (the one that gave slightly higher output than Reptisun 5.0 in the UV guide test) as well as a reflector by the same company. I got this through my local shop, which I prefer to support. They ordered it in especially and then delivered it to my house as the owner was going out in this direction the day it arrived anyway. Quite good service, I think. They also gave me a set of fruit flies they got delivered to the shop by mistake. Think they're a bit small for him and are good at escaping but he's eaten a fair few of them, none the less.

Chameleon seemed a bit obsessed by it for the first 10-20 minutes after putting it in his cage.





Unfortuantly, there was a casualty while doing this. Not quite sure how it happened but means I'm a light down now until I get it repaired or buy a replacement. Not a big deal as I still have 2 heat lamps on this cage. I've not been entirely happy with both types of heat lamp i've bought so far but still prefer the clamp lamps. Might try an Exo Terra clamp lamp next if I buy a replacement.



Next step is to work in some form of drainage so I can include a misting system. I might also get a fog machine / humidifier.

Is that uvb light in his cage? If so you should probably take it out. With hi reaching for it like that he can really burn himself.

justjumpit621 said:

Is that uvb light in his cage? If so you should probably take it out. With hi reaching for it like that he can really burn himself.

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Yes it is. But on what basis do you make that statement? Have you ever taken temperatures and got reading's too high?

I'll actually move one of my thermometers to touch the UV light and see what it says.

I thought about this with my previous one with my first chameleon cage. I remember checking the temperatures (with my hand, which isn't very scientific, i suppose) and thinking it probably wasn't quite warm enough for him to burn himself. I also started a thread a while back where someone said they asked their vet if it was ok to have a UV light inside the cage and they said it was ok. If there is good reason to remove it, I will do so but I currently don't see the need to as it will reduce the UV output considerably.

Put thermometer on top of UV light between the reflector and the light and measured 50.5 C (123 F) after being on there for about 1/2 hour. Started around 35 and went up very slowly. This was at the end of the day after the UV had been on for the best part of 12 hours.

I've not noticed the Chameleon touching the light since his initial obsession when I first put it in.

I don't know if this is necessarily dangerous to chameleons as reptiles typically crave the sun and heat more than mammals but it sounds like it might be. I also think it might be warmer than my previous Repti-glo bulb as it's more powerful but can't verify this at the current time.