Finally got my cage setup

[franzen]

Well I finally got my cage setup and I think I'm ready to get my chameleon. I'm open to suggestions.

Here's my setup:
18x18x36 Cage
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer
ReptiSun 5.0 UVB
Sun Glo 60 Watt
Repti Calcium W/D3
Reptivite W/D3
Homemade Dripper
Spray Bottle
2x Jungle Vines (Medium)
3x Jungle Plants (Large) Only have 1 of them in there right now
Boston Fern
Current Basking Temperature is around 84 Degrees Fahrenheit

 

[rachelk]

Looks awesome! You could add more fake plants, it would make the cham feel safer! Good job! Also, make sure you have calcium with out D3.

EDIT: Sorry I just noticed you said you have more fake plants!

 

[chambabysitter1]

You might have trouble keeping the humidity with all fake plants. A live plant or two could make the whole thing a lot easier. Plus, they look nicer, and are probably more enjoyable for the chameleon.

What is that dish on the left?

It's looking really clean and straight though, I like it.

edit: Someone might chime in about the supplements as well. I am lacking experience there so I can't give you advice.

 

[Syn]

Might want to check and see if that Boston Fern is on a safe plants list.

 

[franzen]

I have a live Boston Fern in there. FLChams says that the Boston Fern is a safe plant http://flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

I've been watching the temperatures and they've been steady around 83-84 degrees for his basking spot. That dish in the bottom is to catch the water from my dripper. Didn't really know what to use so that's what I've got right now. I'll get some calcium without D3 tomorrow. Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys. Keep them coming

Also I was wondering if it was ok to put Wax Paper down on the bottom of the cage? I was trying to come up with an easy way to clean the cage.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I didn't realize that fern was alive. Good stuff. As long as you have more stuff to hold water droplets your humidity should be fine. You have a humidity meter right?

I would try to find another drainage solution. My signature has a link to my cage setup with some drainage ideas. You can search "drainage" in the search bar as well.

I like to put holes in the pvc, raise the cage, then let the runoff drip into the pan. There's gonna be a lot of water flowing through there, just wait.

The dish will catch the runoff, but it'll also be a marvelous place for feeders to go and die. They love that.

Wax paper could work. Some people use a paper towel or newspaper. I use nothing and just wipe it up once a day with a paper towel.

 

[franzen]

I didn't realize that fern was alive. Good stuff. As long as you have more stuff to hold water droplets your humidity should be fine. You have a humidity meter right?

I would try to find another drainage solution. My signature has a link to my cage setup with some drainage ideas. You can search "drainage" in the search bar as well.

I like to put holes in the pvc, raise the cage, then let the runoff drip into the pan. There's gonna be a lot of water flowing through there, just wait.

The dish will catch the runoff, but it'll also be a marvelous place for feeders to go and die. They love that.

Wax paper could work. Some people use a paper towel or newspaper. I use nothing and just wipe it up once a day with a paper towel.

The only problem is that my cage is setting on my dresser and its only 6-8 inches away from my ceiling so I can't really raise it up any higher. But I'll have to check out the drainage ideas. Thanks

Edit: I don't have a humidity meter.

 

[Malicious]

Welcome to the forum Franzen.

The cage looks like its coming along nicely. What type of cham do you have lined up for that cage? The boston firn is a great plant for keeping the humidity up, yet provides little to climb on. I would keep it in there and add a small ficus tree to give the chameleon a place to climb/rest/hide. Many of us enjoy a bare bottom cage as it make cleaning easy and sanitary, wipe and go! There are many suppliment routines to choose from, everyone has thier own opinions. I imagine your getting your chameleon from FlChams? If so, they will be more then happy to go over the current plan, so you can pick up where they left off. Good luck to you and your new cham.

-Jay

 

[franzen]

Welcome to the forum Franzen.

The cage looks like its coming along nicely. What type of cham do you have lined up for that cage? The boston firn is a great plant for keeping the humidity up, yet provides little to climb on. I would keep it in there and add a small ficus tree to give the chameleon a place to climb/rest/hide. Many of us enjoy a bare bottom cage as it make cleaning easy and sanitary, wipe and go! There are many suppliment routines to choose from, everyone has thier own opinions. I imagine your getting your chameleon from FlChams? If so, they will be more then happy to go over the current plan, so you can pick up where they left off. Good luck to you and your new cham.

-Jay

I'll be getting a veiled chameleon from FlChams.... Very good assumption Jay. I was at Wal-Mart tonight and saw the fern so I bought it. Maybe I'll look around at Home Depot or the nursery to see if I can find a nice ficus tree for my cage.

 

[Malicious]

I'll be getting a veiled chameleon from FlChams.... Very good assumption Jay. I was at Wal-Mart tonight and saw the fern so I bought it. Maybe I'll look around at Home Depot or the nursery to see if I can find a nice ficus tree for my cage.

Try Lowe's aswell, last time I was there they had a great selection of Ficuses. Another great choice would be a Hibiscus, great broad leaves that hold water nicely.

-Jay

 

[chambabysitter1]

Big fan of sheffelera aboricola myself. Another great one, cheap too. You can't go wrong with the three suggested so far.