green house

[daen]

Hi Elisa,
nice to hear some feedback.

My jacks have been in the greenhouse for over two months now, the panels are UVb blockers but i often have the windows open so they get direct exposure to unfiltered sunlinght, and i suplement with some D3 one in a while as well.
they bred about two months ago, and so far they are both doing well, http://forum.tanalahy.com/post95239.html?hilit=accouplement#p95239

However i've heard of Solacryl recently and i'm looking for more information, maybe you can help me.
I've been on their website but i need more practical answers.

Are they rigid or soft panels, what about their thickness for isolation? Are they very pricey ?
Since you have half your greenhouse under these panels, what impression do you have, does it allows more lighting/heat as well?

 

[chamelisa]

However i've heard of Solacryl recently and i'm looking for more information, maybe you can help me.
I've been on their website but i need more practical answers.

Are they rigid or soft panels, what about their thickness for isolation? Are they very pricey ?
Since you have half your greenhouse under these panels, what impression do you have, does it allows more lighting/heat as well?

If you have access to a UV meter, you will know exactly what your chameleons' UV exposure is. A friend has used his UV meter to check the UV levels in my greenhouse so that's how I know the Solacryl really works. I've ordered one for myself so I can monitor it throughout the year because the exposure changes as our planet's position changes.

To order Solacryl, I go through Laird Plastics in California, USA. It is a rigid acrylic that comes in at least two thicknesses. It can be heavy and is fairly expensive here. I pay about $350 per 4'x8' panel.

It is manufactured for tanning beds to support a person's body while laying inside the bed and allows the UV to transfer to the person. It is as clear as glass and very durable.

Standing beneath the panels, the sun is intense. You feel the heat as if standing below a glass panel. When we were having the greenhouse built, we noticed the difference between the sunlight coming through the twin-walled polycarbonate and the Solacryl. The twin-walled polycarbonate softens the intensity of the sun.

You don't need to replace all of the panels. Just consider replacing half of the roof panels. It is just a good way to reduce electrical expenses and provide much better UV than artificial lighting. Yes, it's expensive at first. But in the long run, it will be more economical.

As for the dark days during the winter, we are having our electrician install at least one fixture from www.reptileuv.com/. I may need to change the shelving and caging configuration inside the greenhouse, but whatever is necessary, I will try to do. The dark days are rare for us but there is definitely less daylight during the winter and I want to increase that amount for my chameleons.

 

[Robert Johnson]

Precision Reptile Labs keeps all of their chameleons in a Monster sized green house in south Florida.
They use custom screen panels to filter the UV and protect from predators.
This is a dream housing for chameleons.

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[daen]

Great, thanks for the infos Elisa.
i'm taking all this in considerations for the next improvments on the greenhouse.

 

[chamelisa]

Solacryl Quote

Great, thanks for the infos Elisa.
i'm taking all this in considerations for the next improvments on the greenhouse.

I just got a new quote on the Solacryl SUVT in the US. It's $13.38 square foot. There is a $40 pallet charge and shipping will cost me about $150.00.

 

[dodolah]

Make sure post some pic for us when you are finish.

 

[chamelisa]

Make sure post some pic for us when you are finish.

Just come over and see for yourself.

Ahhh, you mean Daen. LOL

 

[nick barta]

Greenhouse habitats

In the Southern United States, for at least 15 years, greenhouses have been used, as well as home-built LARGE screen enclosures. If your winters get too cold, you will need alternate indoor housing. This would apply for severe winds and storms as well. If you don't have the problem of cold winters, you may have too much heat and need to bring them indoors, or air condition your greenhouse.
I see you are in Georgia, my guess is you may fall into the too cold, storm catagory. There have been successful group, both sex, housing of many species including panthers. The keepers need to watch behavior and be able to block off areas for an unhappy Cham, or have a place to remove them to. Another consideration is that in group housing, if a bacteria, fungus, or parasites arrive, the whole group gets treated. Many keepers have regreted the move to the Chameleon Commune!
Feeding costs can be infinate (500 crickets in-100 crickets eaten) if you don't cup feed and watch to be sure everyone is eating. Most keepers did not put the Chams into group housing until the Chams were cup "trained," Then they would check to see if each Cham ate. A bit of a pain, and a lot of time!
These are some experiences of keepers that would make me think it through before I committed to the idea. CHEERS!!

 

[nick barta]

Greenhouse habitats

In the Southern United States, for at least 15 years, greenhouses have been used, as well as home-built LARGE screen enclosures. If your winters get too cold, you will need alternate indoor housing. This would apply for severe winds and storms as well. If you don't have the problem of cold winters, you may have too much heat and need to bring them indoors, or air condition your greenhouse.
I see you are in Georgia, my guess is you may fall into the too cold, storm catagory. There have been successful group, both sex, housing of many species including panthers. The keepers need to watch behavior and be able to block off areas for an unhappy Cham, or have a place to remove them to. Another consideration is that in group housing, if a bacteria, fungus, or parasites arrive, the whole group gets treated. Many keepers have regreted the move to the Chameleon Commune!
Feeding costs can be infinate (500 crickets in-100 crickets eaten) if you don't cup feed and watch to be sure everyone is eating. Most keepers did not put the Chams into group housing until the Chams were cup "trained," Then they would check to see if each Cham ate. A bit of a pain, and a lot of time!
These are some experiences of keepers that would make me think it through before I committed to the idea. CHEERS!!

 

[opihiman]

misting nozzles.

sorry wrong place to post this...