First time setup for Panther Cham / Rainwater good?

[Avana Miaramila]

Hi Guys, just wanted to get a bit of input on a new set up I've been building as I will be getting my first Panther Cham in a weeks time
Herer are a couple of pics for you to look at to get a general idea of how it looks. Not set up the misting system or dripper as yet, will be doing that over the next few days as I'm of A/L for next week





Also, will it be OK to use rainwater for misting Chameleons? I have a large water butt that I use for watering the plants etc. that fills regularly courtesy of our brilliant English weather. And will I have to heat it first? Thinking of using an immersion heater to maintain water temp

 

[OOOst16]

add a few more branches. maby put a taller real plant in the middle, like a ficus? youd be aces. the uvb bulb being exposed is contriversial....becasue some setups have it to where there would be no chance of the chameleon physicaly touching the ubv bulb itself, but id still cover it with a wide pores screen to make sure the cham doesent touch it directly, or set it ontop the cage.(if the top of the cage is screen) it just needs some more plant coverage. make sure your basking / ambaint temps and humidity are in order for a panther chameleon and your fine :}

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy Chris,

(I had to look-up "water butt" ).

Your enclosure is coming along nicely. I'd be happier if the Arcadia tube was above the screen and maybe closer to the middle. It might also be useful to add some sort of homemade aluminum reflector above the tube too. Positioning the tube more from above than from the side minimizes the "glare factor" of the UVB light coming in the eyes.

Don't hesitate to raise the potted plant(s) off of the floor and bring them into the upper portion of the enclosure.

If you feel comfortable drinking the rain water then it is probably ok for your chameleon. You can add an aquarium heater to keep the water from being cold before it is misted. Just don't let it get into temps that promote microbial growth .

 

[Avana Miaramila]

Thanks for the input guys, will definately look to moving the plants up, plants are a bit small at the moment but hopefully they will grow quick. The UV tube has an arcadia reflector behind it at the mo, will alter the angle to help minimise the glare as I can't actually move it from where it is as it is built into the frame of the enclosure, I have adapted an all glass tank that apparently used to house a water dragon before I bought it.
I think I have a couple of aquarium heaters knocking around that may be suitable so will give them a try with heating the water
When I start building an enclosure from scratch I'll definately make sure the UV tube is positioned above in a month or so.

PS The temps at basking spot are between 28c and 30c, ambient temp around 19c-20c relative humidity 50% - 85% ( before & after misting)

 

[Oski]

Hi Guys, just wanted to get a bit of input on a new set up I've been building as I will be getting my first Panther Cham in a weeks time
Herer are a couple of pics for you to look at to get a general idea of how it looks. Not set up the misting system or dripper as yet, will be doing that over the next few days as I'm of A/L for next week

View attachment 20645

View attachment 20646

Also, will it be OK to use rainwater for misting Chameleons? I have a large water butt that I use for watering the plants etc. that fills regularly courtesy of our brilliant English weather. And will I have to heat it first? Thinking of using an immersion heater to maintain water temp

Hi, sorry to hijack your thread for a second, please could i ask where you got the screen setup from in the uk? Thanks

 

[Avana Miaramila]

Hyah Oski, I got the screen mesh from Flyscreenman on Ebay, very reasonable I thought price wise , the actual viv looks as if it was originally a glass display case that was then adapted by the previous owners for use as a viv. I have further adapted it by removing most of the glass and replacing it with mesh sides back and top ( metal aluminium mesh for the top ). Hope this helps

 

[Avana Miaramila]

the uvb bulb being exposed is contriversial....becasue some setups have it to where there would be no chance of the chameleon physicaly touching the ubv bulb itself, but id still cover it with a wide pores screen to make sure the cham doesent touch it directly, :}

Think your probably right re UV tube, will use some of the screen mesh I have left to make a guard to prevent any accidental contact

 

[Oski]

Oh i see its custom made, yeah you have made a good job of it for sure, im after two new vivs at the moment for my growing chams and still not sure what to go for, but to be honest have not realy got the time to make one,

Good luck with your panther,Looks like you have done your research, what you getting?

Also where is he from? if you dont mind me asking,

 

[Avana Miaramila]

I'm getting a Blue Bar Ambilobe male a week on monday ( can't wait ) from some one who breeds them in Epping.
I did find a place on net that shows how to build a viv out of wood and mesh, it will probably be the basis for my next build,
http://www.chameleonparadise.com/?page=care&title=2x2x4 DIY Cage
Might be quite easy to put together, what do you think?
Luck with finding the right set up for your Chams, what you got out of curiosity?

 

[Oski]

I'm getting a Blue Bar Ambilobe male a week on monday ( can't wait ) from some one who breeds them in Epping.
I did find a place on net that shows how to build a viv out of wood and mesh, it will probably be the basis for my next build,
http://www.chameleonparadise.com/?page=care&title=2x2x4 DIY Cage
Might be quite easy to put together, what do you think?
Luck with finding the right set up for your Chams, what you got out of curiosity?

Hey thanks for that link, hmmm if i cant find any for sale the size/spec i want i might buy the materials and give it to my mates dad a joiner to build two for me, at least i can have the size i want. thanks

My chams i have are two Veiled Male and Female, And they are currently in two Exo terra glass/screen vivs which they are fine in, apart from they are outgrowing them, so need to upgrade,

I love the blue bar Ambilobes, i have found a breeder who soon has red bar and Ampskina for sale, which i may be getting,Out of interest was the seller on reptile forum? for those? thanks,

 

[Avana Miaramila]

Found the seller on www.ReptileTrader.co.uk in the chameleon part of site , Red bars are nice as well, quite like nosey mitsio as well