Critique my enclosure

G

Gemeleon dude

Established Member
Have a 24” uvb fixture on the way.
 

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Think your bromeliad might struggle without enough light and your neon pothos will sunbleach with too much light maybe swap them around. Will look good when grown in though maybe more interconected branches of various sizes, could wait too see if your cham tries to cage walk first and take shortcuts up the mesh
 
Pickle-cham said:
Think your bromeliad might struggle without enough light and your neon pothos will sunbleach with too much light maybe swap them around. Will look good when grown in though maybe more interconected branches of various sizes, could wait too see if your cham tries to cage walk first and take shortcuts up the mesh
Click to expand...
I did order a fancy liner plant light to help with that
 
I think your chameleon would enjoy a variety of real branches that have different sizes and textures. It's good for exercising their feet. You currently have a several small bamboo dowels as horizontal branches am I seeing that correctly? You can forage branches out in a park, scrub with soap and hose them down, then zip tie together. You can also order grapevine online or forage it and use that as a twisty vine thru the cage.
 
Gemeleon dude said:
Kinda just falls in the plants :)
Click to expand...
A durable drainage tray has been a blessing. I have plenty of plants in my enclosure and let me tell ya they don't sponge it up so neatly when you mist enough to keep humidity and hygiene in line.... get something to retain the water underneath your set up and drill a bunch of tiny holes small enough to keep feeders in but big enough to let water out into the plastic sheet it came with. also, you will need to water them manually to make sure the soil is getting enough water it is going to demand more than the misters will be able to.

misting changes for everyone based on local and ambient humidity but make sure you're letting it create a gentle rain to maintain eye health and provide opportunities for the cham to wash their Lil turrets out. even with my mist king I still hand mist when I'm around to sustain my air plants and moss and make sure that there are droplets for drinking if not using a dripper

how are the average temps in the different areas of the setup? It's screen so you may end up needing to panel off a side or wrap it to retain heat or humidity down the line. I've ordered some plexi sheets on eBay that have done wonders to make my own "hybrid" set up it made a difference to keep my misters from over spraying and keeping the humidity up without compromising line of sight

I second the need for a variety of branch sizes and angles it will allow better enrichment and reduce screen climbing if you build an effective branch network. I would shy away from the fake vines they are no good ( can lead to eye issues as chams tend to rub eyes on things the fake texture can irritate)

glad to see many live plants consider using dragon ledges to mount them onto the walls more effectively you can also get creative there are some DIY methods but for 50$ I love the ledges. you may need to move plants around once they grow in / die off. i consider myself a good home gardener and most plants will do fine but some just don't take to the enclosure life so don't despair if some don't make it. the addition of an led will do wonders I use the sansi 70w full spectrum in addition to my t5 and oh boy it's a game-changer.

cheers and good luck with the setup

ps watch out when stacking those plants on the bottom (I saw the peperomia on the bottom stacked up) the cham could easily tip it over and make a mess or even hurt itself my panther is a wanderer as well as a bull in a china shop
 
Multivitamins said:
A durable drainage tray has been a blessing. I have plenty of plants in my enclosure and let me tell ya they don't sponge it up so neatly when you mist enough to keep humidity and hygiene in line.... get something to retain the water underneath your set up and drill a bunch of tiny holes small enough to keep feeders in but big enough to let water out into the plastic sheet it came with. also, you will need to water them manually to make sure the soil is getting enough water it is going to demand more than the misters will be able to.

misting changes for everyone based on local and ambient humidity but make sure you're letting it create a gentle rain to maintain eye health and provide opportunities for the cham to wash their Lil turrets out. even with my mist king I still hand mist when I'm around to sustain my air plants and moss and make sure that there are droplets for drinking if not using a dripper

how are the average temps in the different areas of the setup? It's screen so you may end up needing to panel off a side or wrap it to retain heat or humidity down the line. I've ordered some plexi sheets on eBay that have done wonders to make my own "hybrid" set up it made a difference to keep my misters from over spraying and keeping the humidity up without compromising line of sight

I second the need for a variety of branch sizes and angles it will allow better enrichment and reduce screen climbing if you build an effective branch network. I would shy away from the fake vines they are no good ( can lead to eye issues as chams tend to rub eyes on things the fake texture can irritate)

glad to see many live plants consider using dragon ledges to mount them onto the walls more effectively you can also get creative there are some DIY methods but for 50$ I love the ledges. you may need to move plants around once they grow in / die off. i consider myself a good home gardener and most plants will do fine but some just don't take to the enclosure life so don't despair if some don't make it. the addition of an led will do wonders I use the sansi 70w full spectrum in addition to my t5 and oh boy it's a game-changer.

cheers and good luck with the setup

ps watch out when stacking those plants on the bottom (I saw the peperomia on the bottom stacked up) the cham could easily tip it over and make a mess or even hurt itself my panther is a wanderer as well as a bull in a china shop
Click to expand...
What would be the best way to put up the plexiglass?
 
Gemeleon dude said:
Yes, is there anything wrong with my set up
Click to expand...
A few areas, yes, but nothing that can't be remedied. Not everything below is because anything is wrong; some is just things I've learned and am passing along. :)

Lights:
  1. Your basking & UVB lights shine on different areas, making it difficult for a cham to get the benefit of both at the same time. This can be improved by mounting the basking light at an angle.
  2. You're going to need a plant light. LEDs are the best choice as they're the most efficient and last 5X what incandescent or fluorescent lights do. I also use Sansi 70W; they're bright enough even for full-sun plants, and can reach the bottom of the enclosure.
  3. Since plant lights are so bright, your cham will try to bask under the brightest light rather than the warmest light. I would establish the new 24" UVB first, and work the others around it so your cham can get both warmth and UVB at the same time/location, angling the basking light to shine on a point under the plant light.
1639235152062.png
Plants:
  1. I'm a firm believer in live plants & vines only. Regardless of species, it eliminates complications, and live plants help increase and maintain humidity.
  2. I'm not familiar with all the plants you've chosen. Choosing plants is more than just picking them off of the safe lists*. That's a good start (gotta start someplace :)), but we have to delve further. Different plants have different requirements (light, water, drainage, feeding, soil, etc.) that we have to balance against the enclosure and each other. Full-sun plants are better situated closer to the plant light, while full-shade plants do better at the bottom or in corners. Same with watering requirements.
  3. Just so you know, bromeliads are great plants for chameleon enclosures, but they only bloom once.
*--https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
Be sure to read all the text & notes.​

Instrumentation:

I'm not seeing any thermometers or hygrometers. We need both (with probes) to monitor conditions in the enclosure, especially those of us who live where the seasons change dramatically.​
Some like Govees with probes because of their 'smart' capabilities. I don't have a smart phone, so I like something simpler. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y6CYVT9/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (or similar)​

Branches & support:
  1. I'm not as particular as some; I use a lot of dowels, bamboo, and vinyl-covered garden stakes, which are all different so he gets that 'mitten development'. I also use less than some, but I see that as more enrichment than having too many. My chameleon taught me this. As I was doing some improvements, I watched him as he plotted his path across the enclosure from where he was to where he wanted to go—it was a challenge for him, and pretty amazing to watch.
  2. For supporting branches, I see you're using those blinds in the back corner. First time I've seen them, but I think they're neat. (y) Here are some other methods of supporting branches and plant pots. Some require anchoring to a frame—others do not.
Misting & Drainage:
  1. Misting is important to keep your chameleon hydrated and help maintain humidity. Drainage takes away any excess water (but I don't count on it to water plants—we do that separately, depending on the requirements of each plant). After-market drain pans abound.
  2. In lieu of a dripper or fogger, I mist more frequently, but that's a personal choice depending on whether & how well you can maintain necessary humidity. Some still need a fogger at night.
I'm not sure if I've covered everything; if there are any questions, fire away. ;)
 
Klyde O'Scope said:
A few areas, yes, but nothing that can't be remedied. Not everything below is because anything is wrong; some is just things I've learned and am passing along. :)

Lights:
  1. Your basking & UVB lights shine on different areas, making it difficult for a cham to get the benefit of both at the same time. This can be improved by mounting the basking light at an angle.
  2. You're going to need a plant light. LEDs are the best choice as they're the most efficient and last 5X what incandescent or fluorescent lights do. I also use Sansi 70W; they're bright enough even for full-sun plants, and can reach the bottom of the enclosure.
  3. Since plant lights are so bright, your cham will try to bask under the brightest light rather than the warmest light. I would establish the new 24" UVB first, and work the others around it so your cham can get both warmth and UVB at the same time/location, angling the basking light to shine on a point under the plant light.
Plants:
  1. I'm a firm believer in live plants & vines only. Regardless of species, it eliminates complications, and live plants help increase and maintain humidity.
  2. I'm not familiar with all the plants you've chosen. Choosing plants is more than just picking them off of the safe lists*. That's a good start (gotta start someplace :)), but we have to delve further. Different plants have different requirements (light, water, drainage, feeding, soil, etc.) that we have to balance against the enclosure and each other. Full-sun plants are better situated closer to the plant light, while full-shade plants do better at the bottom or in corners. Same with watering requirements.
  3. Just so you know, bromeliads are great plants for chameleon enclosures, but they only bloom once.
*--https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
Be sure to read all the text & notes.​

Instrumentation:

I'm not seeing any thermometers or hygrometers. We need both (with probes) to monitor conditions in the enclosure, especially those of us who live where the seasons change dramatically.​
Some like Govees with probes because of their 'smart' capabilities. I don't have a smart phone, so I like something simpler. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y6CYVT9/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (or similar)​

Branches & support:
  1. I'm not as particular as some; I use a lot of dowels, bamboo, and vinyl-covered garden stakes, which are all different so he gets that 'mitten development'. I also use less than some, but I see that as more enrichment than having too many. My chameleon taught me this. As I was doing some improvements, I watched him as he plotted his path across the enclosure from where he was to where he wanted to go—it was a challenge for him, and pretty amazing to watch.
  2. For supporting branches, I see you're using those blinds in the back corner. First time I've seen them, but I think they're neat. (y) Here are some other methods of supporting branches and plant pots. Some require anchoring to a frame—others do not.
Misting & Drainage:
  1. Misting is important to keep your chameleon hydrated and help maintain humidity. Drainage takes away any excess water (but I don't count on it to water plants—we do that separately, depending on the requirements of each plant). After-market drain pans abound.
  2. In lieu of a dripper or fogger, I mist more frequently, but that's a personal choice depending on whether & how well you can maintain necessary humidity. Some still need a fogger at night.
I'm not sure if I've covered everything; if there are any questions, fire away. ;)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much! I’ll take all the information provided lol, but what is a good trusty brand for the thermometer/hygrometer??
 
Gemeleon dude said:
Thank you so much! I’ll take all the information provided lol, but what is a good trusty brand for the thermometer/hygrometer??
Click to expand...
If you're into all the bells & whistles, the Govee is used by a lot of folks here, but I would make sure you get a wired probe with each one.

I've had good luck with the cheapies I linked. We use them in 3 different enclosures, and with so many can compare them against each other for accuracy. IIRC, we've only had 1 out of 15 that was more than 2°/2% off.

One reason I like that one is that both sets of numbers are large enough that I can see them across the 24" depth of the enclosures. Most have either temp or RH in larger numbers but the other in smaller numbers.
 
Gemeleon dude said:
Thank you so much! I’ll take all the information provided lol, but what is a good trusty brand for the thermometer/hygrometer??
Click to expand...
If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions...
  1. Do you recall the source of those stick blinds? I'd like to add them to the list of branch supports.
  2. How are you supporting that top pot? :unsure: It looks like it's floating in the air!
 
Klyde O'Scope said:
If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions...
  1. Do you recall the source of those stick blinds? I'd like to add them to the list of branch supports.
  2. How are you supporting that top pot? :unsure: It looks like it's floating in the air!
Click to expand...
Yes lol so I got them at pet smart, it’s called a “ climbing wall“ I’ll try and find a pic of it when it’s packaged, and I got this really fine wiring that I kinda twisty tied to a little support sick that’s outside the cage on top if you can see it.
 
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