Any recommendations?

[joeychameleon]

Hi I’m Joey and I’m 9. I’m new to Chamaeleon ownership.

With my Dad I set up this new enclosure yesterday and my Panther Chameleon (Leon) seems happy in there. We think he’s about 7-9 months old.

We hope to add a few more plants and smaller branches in the next few days as we know it needs more of those so he can hide away and have more to climb on.

But we also have a few questions we thought we might ask you experts…

1. We have an Arcadia 24W ProT5 14% light that is 55cm long:

a. Do we need another UVB light for the other half of the enclosure? Or should we have a longer one over it all? One longer one seems a waste as much of it would shine on the black central plastic bit on the roof, so that light would not enter the enclosure!
b. Is there a light we can connect to this, to add a plant growing light as the enclosure is in a shady area of the house?

2. The enclosure is a Betta Terra Terrarium 100 x 50 x 100cm and has a glass bottom. We seem to have put a lot of weight in it (clay balls, soil, plants etc). Is there any chance we add too much weight and the glass breaks?! We're trying to make it bioactive, so will be adding more plants, soil etc...

Thanks!

 

[IzzyMittens]

I don't have advice, but I wanted to tell you that Leon is handsome! It's great that you and your dad are interested in giving him the best care.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! That looks to be about the right age for Leon and he is already a beauty. I love that you’ve got such a great start with natural branches, safe live plants and even bioactive! I do have some constructive feedback for you on improvements you should make. First is that while I love that you’ve got an Arcadia Pro T5 that is long enough for the screened area, the strength is much too high. 14% is used for animals like bearded dragons. For chameleons, we use a 6%. For Leon to have the ideal uvb exposure or level, you then want to place his basking branch about 21cm below his uvb light. It is best to have the uvb and basking lights next to each other, so that as he is basking and getting warm, he is also getting the much needed uvb. I would definitely get a second uvb to cover the other side. For plants, Arcadia has their Jungle Dawn light, which is great and plants love it. One of the benefits of Arcadia is that all of these lights can daisy chain into each other so you won’t have three separate things to plug in.
You want a basking temp of between 26-29c. If your guy is still small enough to walk upside down on the screen top, you’ll want to elevate your lights at least 7c or so to prevent him getting burned.
While I can’t be 100% certain, I don’t think your tank will have any problem holding that weight. I wouldn’t say to try picking it up and moving it without fully supporting the bottom, but just sitting there it should be fine. I have similar glass tanks which are bioactive for my geckos. It may be hidden in the back, but I don’t see any way to manage if there is excessive drainage. Usually we place a tube or pipe thru which the excess fluid can be suctioned out. I also don’t see any leaf litter at all, which your clean up crew will need. It not only provides them moist little living and hiding areas, but is food for them. I like to add a small piece of cork bark for them to hang out under and be protected from my chameleons who are always hunting them for snacks.
I might add another plant or two at least until those already inside grow in more. Pothos is amazing for chameleons and grows fast.
My last bit of feedback is about your enclosure. While the height is ok and the width is good, the depth is a bit shallow. As handsome Leon grows, he will be needing and wanting a bit more space. A nice way to accommodate this, without getting him another enclosure, is to make him a free range area. It can be as simple as setting up some taller plants and maybe some branches in front of a window (they do like to look out at the world). Most like to climb curtains or other window treatments, or whatever else is nearby. Chameleons seek out the highest areas. He would need to be supervised directly, as they do take advantage of being unpatched and quicker than you’d expect can disappear. Also, if you have cats, keep them away or they will grab and kill him. (Dogs too)
I do need to ask what supplements you are using and how often you are using them.