cameleon tanks

nick27

New Member
Can a veiled chameleon live in a 55 gallon fish tank? Sorry if this is a stupid question lol
 
No. The main reason being is that a fish tank provides no air flow. Air flow is essential in keeping a chameleon healthy. The heat exchange in a screen enclosure, or a terrarium creates airflow, and keeps temperatures where they should be, and prevents the build up of stagnant air.;)
 
No. Glass terrarium yes. fish tank no. Difference is that a glass terrarium has built in air vents to cause air to circulate up and out through the enclosure. A fish tank will not allow any ventilation, will breed bacteria/mold, and are not tall enough for a climbing species. So they are really frowned upon.

Hope that helps!
 
I think it depends on lots of things. The size of the chameleon for one. While that's not a really tall enclosure, it might be okay, particularly if you have a smaller chameleon.

With glass you need to carefully place your lights to create airflow. Rather than centering them, the lights need to be severely off to one side, that allows the air to be pulled into the enclosure.

You'll also need to monitor your temps because it's easier for a glass enclosure to build up heat.

Screen is much, much easier overall, but if you are in a cold environment, you might actually find glass (for all the work) easier because it keeps the humidity in, holds heat....stuff that people like me, in San Diego, take for granted.
 
Another problem with the fish tanks is that without the above mentioned air flow problems, it also increases the chances of water not drying out completely after sprayings. Your enclosure needs to do this to prevent respiratory infections.
 
Like everyone else has stated, I would aslo say that it's not a good idea.

I personally have a glass terra. I currently live in Iowa and the temp. gets really low this time of year. As stated before, the glass terra hold the temp. needed for my Cham very easily and i'm not fighting to keep correct humidty lvls.

To keep humdity lvls where they need to for me, I turn her basking and daytime light light on at around 10am and give Loki's terra a light misting with a spray bottle. Then every every few hours i spray again, but allowing the droplets that have accumulated to dry out. I spray 3-4 times a day.

To keep up the temp. where it needs to be i use and adjustable basking lamp with a Exo-Terra 60W Sun Glo bulb. By adjustable i mean i can adjust the power going to the bulb via a dimmer switch. But i am looking into geting a 75W basking bulb. I also am using a Repti Glo 5.0 compact bulb as well. Due to it being winter i leave the Repti Glo 5.0 on all the time so that at night it allows the temp. to cool off in the tank but keeps it at a suitable temp. for evening hours while Loki sleeps. (if i shouldnt be doing this i encourage someone to speak up.)

i think i got a little off topic there and i apologize for doing so. The company EXO-TERRA has some good tanks and or starter kits you can look at to get a good idea of what kind of tank would best suit the need of your Cham and the budget you are working with.

I apologize that i dont have a link to their website.
 
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