Vivarium for Arkansas State University

Hello all I am new here and have a few questions. I maintain reef aquariums both as a business and hobby. I care for the 180 reef in the lab sciences building here on campus. Recently we had a vivarium installed next to the reef. We have a few critters in it but they have proven to be very reclusive and compared to the reef this display is pretty boring. Here is a link to the enclosure we had installed.

http://www.jworlds.net/amazonpool.html

Here is a link that describes the aquarium and vivarium in more detail if anyone is interested.

http://www.reefland.com/forum/diy/22282-new-180-gallon-system-build-totw-9-6-07-a.html

The chair of our department wants to rebuild this display and make it capable of housing species that aren't so cryptic. Chameleons were mentioned. The entire bottom section is full of water. I believe we may need to build up one side. There are five different types of lighting above the display on timers and it is well ventilated and sealed at the same time. It has running water, a canister filter and an auto top off system plumbed to an RO/DI filter. It has tons of real dead vines in it and fake tropical plants which I've read aren't ideal. Dimensions are 7'LX2'WX6'H.

I am going to be caring for this vivarium but have little experience with them. I am very considerate of the needs of my reef inhabitants and want to be equally so with the vivarium. Basically I want to do this right and have the funding to do so.

Questions that I have for you all are as follows...
What modifications do I need to make to house chameleons?
What species of chameleons should I research?
What are some other compatible species to consider in this enclosure to live in harmony with one or two of them?

I don't mind reading if anyone has anything to check out.

Thank you for your time

i wouldn't do it if you plan on keeping that huge pool ofwater.

they poop in it and stuff, or worse they fell in and drowned.

If we built up one side of the pool so that we had land on half of the bottom would that not work? The water is extremely well filtered and the canister is maintained weekly so I"m not overly worried about waste. We have two musk turtles Sternotherus carinatus and four cave fish Astyanax fasciatus in there as well. The only other inhabitants are a mated pair of Basilisks Basiliscus plumifrons. The water is maintained at 3" on the far right side about 1' wide and slopes off to around 9" in the middle. There are lots of vines in and around the water.

Any of these species can be removed to other enclosures if needed.

If you guys need any additional info from me about this enclosure please ask me.

your bigest problem is you probably want several in there but youd be pushin it to get two housed together in there and even then there personalitys would have to be just right to make it work. and they do drown very easy i had a guy who had a close call with about 3/4inch of water fell off the vine with front legs but wouldnt let go with his tale and had face planted in water for way to long.

Samper said:

If we built up one side of the pool so that we had land on half of the bottom would that not work? The water is extremely well filtered and the canister is maintained weekly so I"m not overly worried about waste. We have two musk turtles Sternotherus carinatus and four cave fish Astyanax fasciatus in there as well. The only other inhabitants are a mated pair of Basilisks Basiliscus plumifrons. The water is maintained at 3" on the far right side about 1' wide and slopes off to around 9" in the middle. There are lots of vines in and around the water.

Any of these species can be removed to other enclosures if needed.

If you guys need any additional info from me about this enclosure please ask me.

Click to expand...

Can we see pictures ? It would help a great deal.

Thank you all for the replies thus far.

I do have some pictures however my memory card is not with me. The link to Jworlds that I provided in the first post contains a picture very similar to our display. I will attempt to post some of ours this evening.

If you all decide that this is a bad idea or if this vivarium cannot easily be modified to provide a suitable habitat we will not attempt to keep any chameleon species.

I'd say it's a mighty fine effort, but I don't believe there is any place in that enclosure for any species of chameleon. The main issue is the large body of water, which I feel creates a stale and humid environment that could lead to respiratory issues. Secondly, I don't think it's a great idea to be housing the chameleon with any other species of herp or any other living organism for that matter (including additional chameleons).

However, at this rate your vivarium is bordering paludarium status and would be an idea living space for Archerfish. Archerfish are very easily mixed with mudskippers which would add a lot of personality to your tank. If maintaining a salinity of 1.000-1.005 SG I'd recommend using T. microlepis, but T. chatareus and T. jaculatrix would be a more suitable choice for anything above 1.005 SG (more appropriately in the 1.010 SG area).

As for mudskippers I'd recommend only using P. novemradiatus as they're a little more social, smaller, and easy to obtain. Each mudskipper should be allowed a minimum of 1 sq/ft of land and this is why they are often times not suitable for the home aquarium. P. babarus should be avoided in groups as they will simply kill each other off to gain/defend territory.

Just my $0.02. Best of luck!

I don't know if they would eat the basilisks, but a green tree monitor would be awesome if the space is large enough. They're active and don't grow very large as far as monitors go. Green basilisks are some of my fave lizards but they do tend to be pretty shy.

I'd also vote no on the chams, just not their ideal situation.

Water and Chameleons are a big no. First thing bacteria and second they do fall occasionally. And if the cham would fall, it will get shocked and will not be able to get up. And Chameleons housing with other species is a big no for me.. Keeping chams with other reptiles will stress your cham. I would go with other reptiles for this terrarium.

David

Here is proof water and chameleons dont mix

http://www.de-kvn.nl/forum/viewtopi...&start=0&sid=59cb90fe035622b76fc97d1015759755

just scroll down to the middle pictures......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwo5lxMSk8 or this one


devils adv: here. water is not the MAIN concern, in a well designed, well cared for system

if vented and filtered and well cared for Imho it is possible , if your serious about it