Anything lacking in my chameleon set up

[firebird73159]

Greetings

I am new to the forum and have recently purchased a 3 month old ambilobe panther chameleon from FLChams. I had a few questions and also looking for some advice. I was wanting to know if there is anything I am missing before he arrives. I currently have the following.

1. Aluminum Screen Cage (16x16x30)
2. Exoterra repti glo 26w 10.0 UVB compact
3. Mist king value misting system
4. Repashy Superfoods Chameleon calcium plus vitamin and mineral supplement
5. Pothos vines along with a few fake vines.
6. Cricket keeper.
7. Exoterra spray bottle.
8. Basking lamp and bulb

I have about 30 tarantulas I have raised from babies to name a couple my T. Blondie 8 inch and the P. Metallica which is about 6 inches now. I am a little experienced trying to regulate humidity and temperature but supplementing and lighting needs will be new to me. I am very excited to recieve my chameleon and I want to be sure that I am doing everything I can to ensure he stays healthy and happy so if there a few things I am missing please let me know and I will get it ASAP. Also what size crickets should I feed him at 3 months. I appreciate the time you took to read my post and your valuable information. Thanks once agian

Chase,

 

[graham cracker]

Looks pretty good! Once you have it set up, you should post some pictures and we can see what's good and what needs tweaking...

 

[banshee1]

the uvb should be 5.0. You need a calcium whit d3 and another without d3

crikets half inch its ok

 

[graham cracker]

Most people use the zoomed reptisun 5.0 fluorescent light rather than the compact, because they were causing eye problems... But I'm sure it's fixed now, because a member posted about the light being safe to use now (I'm sure someone els can clarify). What kind of bulb are you using for basking? At 3 months old, all you need is a house hold bulb, it'll be warm enough. You don't want to use a proper "basking bulb" because it's WAY too hot for a baby. As he gets older you can switch over. I use just a regular 60 watt house hold bulb, and it gets the basking area to around the high 80s...

 

[graham cracker]

P.S. WELCOME to the Forums Chase!

 

[graham cracker]

the uvb should be 5.0. You need a calcium whit d3 and another without d3

The Rapashy is fine for everyday use. But dust lightly. If you plan of keeping him outside during the summer, then get a calcium without D3, because he'll get it from the sun. And dust with D3 once every couple of weeks (that's if you're keeping him outside).

 

[camimom]

Welcome!

You need a basking bulb, the uvb bulb does not give off heat.

you can use the coil, but get a 5.0 not a 10.0.

the coils USED to cause eye problems, but it has been fixed, I use them and none of my chams are blind.

The repashy calcium all in one is fine, use a light coating on every feeding.

the cricket size for a 3 month old, the crickets should be no bigger than the space between his eyes.

also, you should look into other foods to give him a balanced diet.

any other questions, post here, or PM me.

 

[firebird73159]

Thank you all much for the information I put a 60 w light bulb in my basking lamp also bought a Dubai roach colony and some calcium powder without D3 I live in Oklahoma city and I plan to take him outside when the temp is high enough. Had a few more questions.

1. Can you feed a 3 month old panther to large of a cricket.

2. I have read chameleons color depicts their mood and if this is true which colors or patterns would represent happy mad sick angry and so on. Or what colors are "bad" lol.

3. At 3 months I know he will not show much color but what age should he start displaying his color.

I am also in the process of obtaining some books on chameleons and any books you might recommend would be appreciated. Once again thank you all so much and if you like I will post some pictures of Jazz and his habitat.

 

[bradley]

as others have said about the uv you need a tube bulb. I personally use 10.0 on y chameleons and have never had any problems as it will be above screen. the screen cuts about 50% of the uv and T8 tubes dont give out much uv anyway.

 

[camimom]

Thank you all much for the information I put a 60 w light bulb in my basking lamp also bought a Dubai roach colony and some calcium powder without D3 I live in Oklahoma city and I plan to take him outside when the temp is high enough. Had a few more questions.

1. Can you feed a 3 month old panther to large of a cricket.
yes you can, normally they will avoid a bug too big, but sometimes they wont, and can choke, thus the space between the eyes trick.
2. I have read chameleons color depicts their mood and if this is true which colors or patterns would represent happy mad sick angry and so on. Or what colors are "bad" lol.
it does yes. youll have to determine that based on what cham you get, differnt panther locales show differnt colors, and veileds well they are simple.
3. At 3 months I know he will not show much color but what age should he start displaying his color.
it can vary, as early as 3 months, as late as ayear.

I am also in the process of obtaining some books on chameleons and any books you might recommend would be appreciated. Once again thank you all so much and if you like I will post some pictures of Jazz and his habitat.

anything in a boko you can leran and more on here.

 

[firebird73159]

 

[camimom]

looks good.
cute cham. what locale?
and i think you should get some more vines and such towards the top so he can bask more.