ThatOneDisease
New Member
Yeah, that would be much better-
Help me! New chamleon owner!
- Thread starter ThatOneDisease
- Start date
IrohtheVeiled
Established Member
Your plants and hardscape in your cage offer a benefit when it comes to the water cycle and that is they are a humidity buffer (live plants and soil more so than plastic)
But you’re right that they will keep water from swamping your cage.
You do want to make sure your floor isn’t too drenched as it is a contamination risk with poop
But you’re right that they will keep water from swamping your cage.
You do want to make sure your floor isn’t too drenched as it is a contamination risk with poop
ThatOneDisease
New Member
I assumed that. I've been cleaning the bottom. Today actually I want to take all the plants out and clean them(with them being fake I'm 90% that can carry bacteria so I wanna make sure I'm cleaning it).
Also what kind of substrate on the bottom when I upgrade or even now if it's something like soil. I know I should NOT use any store substrate or towels or anything like that. I heard sand is on the no list as well-?
Also what kind of substrate on the bottom when I upgrade or even now if it's something like soil. I know I should NOT use any store substrate or towels or anything like that. I heard sand is on the no list as well-?
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Bare floor is best, unless you set up a true bioactive. Usually that is best left for after you get the hang of the basics, so bare floor for now.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
I clean a little in his cage today but I noticed there are still spots and I can't really get to those while he is inside. Also, there was three crickets at the bottom of the cage and eceeytime I tried the get them they jumped and the cage would shake-
He is still getting used to me and definitely won't climb on my hand(unless he just uses it as a brach to get to another)
Is there anyway I can carefully get him out, without stressing him too much? Whether it be him on a branch or anything?
He is still getting used to me and definitely won't climb on my hand(unless he just uses it as a brach to get to another)
Is there anyway I can carefully get him out, without stressing him too much? Whether it be him on a branch or anything?
ehdee6
Avid Member
I usually use a (shop) vacuum cleaner to suck out the remaining escape crickets... Ain't nobody got time for a cricket hunt, unless you're the animal trying to eat it! 
For a drainage try on the bottom, we all get a little creative. There are lots of ideas in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/drainage-systems-for-cages-get-creative.102038/
I use this washing machine drain pan from Home Depot. It gives you a bit more room to open the bottom screen. I can also add a hose to drain into a bucket below. I've drilled holes in the floor panel of the cage where the water pools, so there's no stagnant water in the cage. The tin pan underneath collects the water where the holes are drilled. I toss the tin pan out once a month and put a new one in... I also caulk the bottom rim of the cage before I put it together. The water and dead bugs that can collect in there drove my OCD nuts, it call it a death pool germ slurry.
For getting him out to clean it's best to find a place to him first. If you're not comfortable leaving him in a plant somewhere safe, some people put them in a shoe box with a stick and towel on the bottom. Then put the box in a safe dark place, he'll go to sleep in the dark until you bring him back out. You'll have to corral him into your hand, or a stick; but never just yank them out. It can take awhile... Just be patient, and if they're being stubborn walk away and try again later. I usually have a lure mine with treats.
For a drainage try on the bottom, we all get a little creative. There are lots of ideas in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/drainage-systems-for-cages-get-creative.102038/
I use this washing machine drain pan from Home Depot. It gives you a bit more room to open the bottom screen. I can also add a hose to drain into a bucket below. I've drilled holes in the floor panel of the cage where the water pools, so there's no stagnant water in the cage. The tin pan underneath collects the water where the holes are drilled. I toss the tin pan out once a month and put a new one in... I also caulk the bottom rim of the cage before I put it together. The water and dead bugs that can collect in there drove my OCD nuts, it call it a death pool germ slurry.
For getting him out to clean it's best to find a place to him first. If you're not comfortable leaving him in a plant somewhere safe, some people put them in a shoe box with a stick and towel on the bottom. Then put the box in a safe dark place, he'll go to sleep in the dark until you bring him back out. You'll have to corral him into your hand, or a stick; but never just yank them out. It can take awhile... Just be patient, and if they're being stubborn walk away and try again later. I usually have a lure mine with treats.
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ThatOneDisease
New Member
Yeahhhh they got them mini vacs at target, might be my best option.
As for drainage and what you all recommended, they seem pretty simple and even the Chamleon academy was useful. It's just as of now, he's on VERY temporary table. Once we replace that(which would have to be when I upgrade), we can drill those holes and such. I watched Neptune's videos on it and maybe we can do the stands she has with holes in it and maybe do tubes? We'll see what's best depending on the table.
Also thank you! ToT I'm probably gonna have to just wait til he's super relaxed and on his big branch. I'll just pull that out and set him somewhere safe, maybe give him a Worm too.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
I just watched some more of Neptune's videos on Panthers and she mentioned the fogger being used at night however on here I've also seen people saying not to really use it is night temps are 70(which in the house its typically 72-74 at night)
ThatOneDisease
New Member
Hey guys!
I do have a question, unfortunately I have work all weekend and it's night shifts with no one else home to shut off Jaxs light. I typically turn it on at 7:30 like now but I'm getting home around 8:50- is it okay that it's on for thatbmuch longer? He usually moves into his sleep pose and spot before I even turn off his lights(which is shaded from the lights)
I do have a question, unfortunately I have work all weekend and it's night shifts with no one else home to shut off Jaxs light. I typically turn it on at 7:30 like now but I'm getting home around 8:50- is it okay that it's on for thatbmuch longer? He usually moves into his sleep pose and spot before I even turn off his lights(which is shaded from the lights)
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I can’t get my night time temps below mid 70’s without both freezing and bankrupting myself. So I don’t fog at night. I do have the mist king set for a couple of brief 15 second mistings during the night for a slight bump in humidity. Heat plus high humidity increases risks for respiratory infection.
OMG! Are you me?
The shoebill profile pic (my favorite birbs!) and night time weekend worker! lolUnless you have closed blackout window curtains, some natural light may be coming in and waking him. You can pick up a timer for cheap to automate his lights.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
LOL, I love birds!(little fact about me is that I'm in college for wildlife conservation/environmental feild, specifically to try and work with birdsOMG! Are you me?
Unless you have closed blackout window curtains, some natural light may be coming in and waking him. You can pick up a timer for cheap to automate his lilights.
) I'll have to get a timer today then- I heard Walmart has them cheap? So I'll have to run there before work and set up a dripper at the very least while I'm working so I can make sure he's gonna stay hydrated
Speaking of misting systems, should I get that now for his cage or wait for the bigger one? Because the bigger one I want to set up that drainage system with some potted plants (which i think Neptune mentioned that it was an option if you couldnt do drainage you could alawys just do lots of live plants at the bottom?)With his small one right now and no misting system, I just hand clean the bottom of the enclosure to get rid of any bacteria and excess water.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
Sorry if I'm asking alot of questions on here LMAO-
I honestly think the best way to learn is to ask others especially when it comes to animal care and I wanna make sure my guy isn't gonna be sick or something.
I recently did show a picture of his poop on here and lately I've been feeding him hornworms. Since that last photo, it's been kinda the same? I haven't got a good look today because he pooped in the worst spot so that means I can't see it when I clean it- he usually poops like 9-10am every morning and typically eats a lil later after that. I have his cage in my room in a far corner so I can still sit and watch without him feeling like he has to watch me too LOL. His poop doesn't smell?? Until I like put it near me and it's not awful. His poop shape does look like the photos I've seen here and via a very Long thread about poop, I think he's okay? If there are any good Cham vets around in the southern part of florida(maybe Ms.Skittle, you can help me with that-)? I just wanna make sure that just incase you all say it's an issue, I can send his poop for a test.
I honestly think the best way to learn is to ask others especially when it comes to animal care and I wanna make sure my guy isn't gonna be sick or something.
I recently did show a picture of his poop on here and lately I've been feeding him hornworms. Since that last photo, it's been kinda the same? I haven't got a good look today because he pooped in the worst spot so that means I can't see it when I clean it- he usually poops like 9-10am every morning and typically eats a lil later after that. I have his cage in my room in a far corner so I can still sit and watch without him feeling like he has to watch me too LOL. His poop doesn't smell?? Until I like put it near me and it's not awful. His poop shape does look like the photos I've seen here and via a very Long thread about poop, I think he's okay? If there are any good Cham vets around in the southern part of florida(maybe Ms.Skittle, you can help me with that-)? I just wanna make sure that just incase you all say it's an issue, I can send his poop for a test.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
Also I'm getting his timer today and I ordered Repashy Bug Burger- I'll eventually make puree for the bugs but for now with the little budget I got(and how much my local stores Charge for veggies)it'll be fine.
I'm also returning some of the stuff that the pet store...gave me. They fortunately take back stuff with no issue- imma get him THE RIGHT vitamins w/o d3 and phosphorus-free. If you guys have a recommendation on what brand- please let me know- i wanna make I get him on vitamins soon to prevent parasites and stuff (it's just tough with work and school to find the right time to get all this stuff)
I'm also returning some of the stuff that the pet store...gave me. They fortunately take back stuff with no issue- imma get him THE RIGHT vitamins w/o d3 and phosphorus-free. If you guys have a recommendation on what brand- please let me know- i wanna make I get him on vitamins soon to prevent parasites and stuff (it's just tough with work and school to find the right time to get all this stuff)
IrohtheVeiled
Established Member
Cheap timer for lights - yes
Healthy poop that doesn’t smell - also good (should still get a fecal ran before building a permanent cage, a lot of us had made the mistake of skipping this step, building a beautiful cage and contaminated our hard work with parasites)
Hornworm note: they are super full of water so they can make poop slightly runny that’s just excess water
Bug burger, great a lot of us don’t have time to make fresh gutkoad and it’s a good option.
Healthy poop that doesn’t smell - also good (should still get a fecal ran before building a permanent cage, a lot of us had made the mistake of skipping this step, building a beautiful cage and contaminated our hard work with parasites)
Hornworm note: they are super full of water so they can make poop slightly runny that’s just excess water
Bug burger, great a lot of us don’t have time to make fresh gutkoad and it’s a good option.
ThatOneDisease
New Member
These are what I bought.
ehdee6
Avid Member
I'd recommend a Wi-Fi power bar for a timer, if you can get one with a power surge protector it'll protect your lights in case of power issues during a storm.
The mister is good for if you're at work, or out with friends, and can't get back to water your Cham on time. I prefer to hand mist their cage at night time before lights out (still), but it's saved me a few times. Especially because I like to sleep in on weekends. It's easy enough to uninstall and reinstall, if needed. Just remember when you're cutting the water tubes while setting up the smaller cage, to leave access tube for the bigger cage. That way you don't have to buy new tubes.
The mister is good for if you're at work, or out with friends, and can't get back to water your Cham on time. I prefer to hand mist their cage at night time before lights out (still), but it's saved me a few times. Especially because I like to sleep in on weekends. It's easy enough to uninstall and reinstall, if needed. Just remember when you're cutting the water tubes while setting up the smaller cage, to leave access tube for the bigger cage. That way you don't have to buy new tubes.
