a few possible issues.

ChamFreak

ChamFreak

Avid Member
I have been reading, reading ect ect since the start and I keep reading to improve my methods and tactics however, I see a few things I feel like they are correct and I would appriciate any tips and advice given.

Lighting.
I am using 100watt basking bulbs. I fell like this is to much for my panthers!
The temps appear to check out but I feel like its off and to much!

The basking temps are 93-100 degrees.

Also, I am using 18" repti-sun 5.0 bulbs however, they are about 6" from any foilage and I feel its not enough to effect my chameleons! I wonder if I need to re arrange them and get them closer to a plant or walkway?

Can you use to much UVB bulbs?

I have a 18" repti-sun tube as well as the CFL repti-sun 5.0 bulb as well for on chameleon, is that to much?

I also notice that the 18" setup gets aweful hot? I wonder if they produce that much heat???

Suppliments:

I am using the calcium repcal 4 days a week
the d3 2 times a month
the multi vitamin 2 times a month.

DO I need to make any changes there?


Watering:
I have now a new "brita filtration" pitcher and I just use tap water and purify it for drinking, misting... and soon to be mist king setup...
I spray the cages down 2 times daily and run a dripper for at least 30 mins through out the day, is my water okay?

lastly, I gutload using...
Cricket crack, I am sure this is fine... however, my wet gutload, I feel like its not correct!?

I use Oranges, Papayas, mustard greens, squash, carrots...
Do I need to add more? I was thinking banannas and pears! If you sugguest another item or to remove it, please advise.

in addition, I just chop these up in pieces, do I need to blend them in a blender? or is chopping okay and how fine does it need to be?

thanks a million, I wanna make sure my methods are perfect!

Shawn
 
The basking temps are way to hot for a panther. Try for something more in the mid 80s. A regular 40-50 watt household bulb works great! Yes, there is such a thing as to much UVB. The Repti Sun 5.0 linear is fine, I would get rid of the cfl. You do not need both. You could run a vine under the UV light so they can get within about 6-8 inches. http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

Supplements look good. Gutloading is good. I like using turnip greens also. You don't need to blend the wet stuff up, the little buggies can take care of that. This is excellent info on gutloading: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

Water looks good, you can always increase that easily if needed.

Others may have other advice.
 
Last edited:
you rock, I will make those adjustments as I return tomorrow from travel for business.
wth is turnip greens?

how often do you get fresh food for gutload?? seems to keep sorta fresh for days?
 
Turnip greens are similar to mustard and collard greens. High in calcium.
fresh_turnip_greens.gif

If you put the fresh greens in a bowl and place a damp paper towel over the top then put it in the fridge, you get a few more days of use out of them. Hope this helps.
 
you're a big help, thanks Heather.

I meant in the feeder cage for the crickets, how long do you leave your fruits and veggies in there before new fresh is added?
 
ChamFreak said:
I have been reading, reading ect ect since the start and I keep reading to improve my methods and tactics however, I see a few things I feel like they are correct and I would appriciate any tips and advice given.

Lighting.
I am using 100watt basking bulbs. I fell like this is to much for my panthers!
The temps appear to check out but I feel like its off and to much!

The basking temps are 93-100 degrees.

Also, I am using 18" repti-sun 5.0 bulbs however, they are about 6" from any foilage and I feel its not enough to effect my chameleons! I wonder if I need to re arrange them and get them closer to a plant or walkway?

Can you use to much UVB bulbs?

I have a 18" repti-sun tube as well as the CFL repti-sun 5.0 bulb as well for on chameleon, is that to much?

I also notice that the 18" setup gets aweful hot? I wonder if they produce that much heat???

Suppliments:

I am using the calcium repcal 4 days a week
the d3 2 times a month
the multi vitamin 2 times a month.

DO I need to make any changes there?


Watering:
I have now a new "brita filtration" pitcher and I just use tap water and purify it for drinking, misting... and soon to be mist king setup...
I spray the cages down 2 times daily and run a dripper for at least 30 mins through out the day, is my water okay?

lastly, I gutload using...
Cricket crack, I am sure this is fine... however, my wet gutload, I feel like its not correct!?

I use Oranges, Papayas, mustard greens, squash, carrots...
Do I need to add more? I was thinking banannas and pears! If you sugguest another item or to remove it, please advise.

in addition, I just chop these up in pieces, do I need to blend them in a blender? or is chopping okay and how fine does it need to be?

thanks a million, I wanna make sure my methods are perfect!

Shawn
Click to expand...


As stated, those basking temps are too hot. you will want the max to hit about 85 (since they are juvi's correct?) at maturation basking temps @ 88 is acceptable, but don't go higher than that.

I would go ahead and say, you are using TOO much UVB. One reptisun 5.0 positioned properly along side the basking bulb is more than sufficient. And 6 inches away is excellent - most of the times a 5.0 will penetrate to nearly a foot down into the cage.

The UVB bulbs will get hot, but they don't emit much heat - its mostly contained. Personally at the start I thought the bulbs ran cool..... one blister later I learned other wise :p.

Gutloading looks fine, but whats your supp schedule - you have that all figured out?

Good luck with them :)

S.F
 
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