Help me decide?

[sloop john b]

Hello all,

I am in process of putting together a habitat for adult panther chameleon, and since I live in Wisconsin, I am going with a solid walled enclosure. I am totally aware of the screen vs. solid walled debate, and I'm going with solid.
So I would like your opinion on two options:

1) Exo Terra 36" x 18" x 36"

or

2) Animal plastics 36"w x 24"d x 48" high
(controlled density PVC): http://www.animalplastics.com/
For the Animal Plastics cage, the top would be screen and front have a clear acrylic door. I would drill holes along both sides of lower section to create chimney effect airflow upward.

For either cage, I would use fluorescent UVB lighting complemented with dome heat/light. I would also use automated misting system, and live plants with terrarium floor planted as well.

I was thinking the larger AP cage would give more room, and maybe the solid black walls on three sides give more sense of security for the chameleon. On the other hand, it might be harder to regulate the heat/humidity in the larger enclosure. The Exo-Terra would be more waterproof on the bottom, possibly conferring some advantage for the planted floor.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

John Battaglia
Morelia Trophy Club
moreliatrophyclub.com

 

[sloop john b]

Hey John,
Welcome to the chameleon forums! Since this was your first post, I wanted to make sure you have a warm welcome.

I think you'll find there is a wealth of wisdom on this forum, and people quite willing to share their opinions and knowledge.

I would go with the Exo Terra option, as I think you'll have an easier time of keeping good humidity levels and it will handle a planted ground cover much better. Plus it looks nicer.

Good luck!

John Battaglia

 

[talvarez527]

well what i hav is a 5 tall 4 wide 2 deep cage from Cages by Design, it is all plexi.. but i took out all plexi and replaced it with wood. Just waiting for my dad to make me a stand and my neighbor will be tiling the floor for drainage. The cage will have the chimney effect as well.
Before

current (without doors or furnishings)

 

[talvarez527]

Before http://imgur.com/bNJpp,KTq7t#1
current http://i.imgur.com/bNJpp.jpg

 

[sloop john b]

Thanks for sharing your cage idea

 

[Cainschams]

I think you should go with the larger stuff. Your cham will like it especially once full grown. Even larger than that would be good

 

[allthingsgreen]

Hi John, I as well live in Wisconsin, too! Got to love the weather! This is my first post, and I've been stalking these forums, and have noticed most people prefer the screen over solid walls as well. However, I am slightly leaning towards solids as you, just because of the nature of our climate. I keep many other arboreal reptiles, and after monitoring their enclosures...I believe that a solid wall might be best for my house w/ obvious ventilation. My little guy is 6-8 weeks old (per breeder) so I have him in a 10 gallon for now. This weekend I want to move him into a exo that is 2' high (until he get's bigger from then), but my only fear is the basking spot?!? He is already cup feeding...from what I've read I shouldn't have a problem moving him up. I just don't want it to melt the plastic if I was place the basking light directly on top. Do you have any suggestions since this is close to what your suggesting? I don't mind pm'ing to run ideas past each other

 

[birdlover71]

Welcome John

It is personal preference and what works for you. Good luck and post pics of your new Cham when you get it!

Amy

 

[sloop john b]

I currently am using a small Exo Terra (18 x 18 x18) for my little guy, also just a few months old. I have a ZooMed UVB flourescent 5.0 on dome clipped to one side (over the screen, not touching it), and a dome on the other with a 75 watt plant light that give excellent brightness and a hot spot of 95 degrees directly under it. The dome sits on the plastic crossbars of the Exo Terra screen top, and hasn't been hot enough to melt the plastic. He seems to be doing well in there...eating daily and drinking well.

Thanks for replies....I'll try and snap a photo of the little fella this weekend...