Humidity problems

[DixonCider]

First time owner here, I have been religiously researching and setting up in preparation for my little guy, however im having some difficulties getting my numbers where I want them… MistKing set up for 630a (30min before lights on) and 730p (30min after lights off) with a brief 1 minute mist at 230a (just added this to see if it helped my overnight levels, it didn’t). I also have a fogger running from 8p to 6a, on for 30 off for one hour (this timer doesn’t have any intervals shorter than 30min). At 330pm right now, my humidity is 53% and my temp is 69F. At night, they’re essentially the same, maybe minus a couple points off each depending on the time of night.

I do have all live plants and its a 2x2x4 enclosure. Is my only option left basically just to cover up a couple of the sides and go from there?

Thanks for the input, so much conflicting info out there Enclosure photo added for reference

 

[GreystoneExotics]

I had the same issue.

I ended up having to cover the three sides during the day, and, cover the front at night with a fogger.

 

[DixonCider]

I had the same issue.

I ended up having to cover the three sides during the day, and, cover the front at night with a fogger.

How crucial was running the fogger through the front? I cut the screen in the back to ziptie the tubing to the top of the screen in the back. What did you go with for covering? Shower curtain?

 

[LizardLurkin]

If you haven't already, you may want to try DIYing your screen enclosure into a hybrid enclosure. Here's a video explaining a rather simple and super cheap way to achieve this!

As an aside, I really recommend you getting a lot more sticks in the enclosure, probably of a thicker size too. Chameleons get around primarily by utilizing branches, so you want a lot of options for ease of traversal. Any space without plants or sticks is unused space, so keep that in mind. Oh, and the basking branch should be 8 inches below the UVB and basking fixtures!

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. You can use whatever works to cover the sides and/or back. I use fabric shower curtain with a blue sky print to keep things light/bright and mainly block views of each other. Some use the 3M window insulating film for tidiness.
I do want/need to comment that you need to add many more branches for your guy. Especially needed is one at about 8-9” below basking lights (provided you are using the standard T5 with a 5.0 or 6% bulb). It can be a challenge to hang them, but there are solutions. https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/ This is one which is wonderful and worth its weight in gold. Garden trellis or lattice is another. See my pics below…it adds a nice aesthetic and is available on line in an assortment of colors if you don’t want it to be so noticeable. You’re using the scaffolding method, but that isn’t terribly strong for hanging plants of any decent size. For the trellis and Ledges, they both go on beat with the enclosure taken apart.

 

[DixonCider]

Hi. You can use whatever works to cover the sides and/or back. I use fabric shower curtain with a blue sky print to keep things light/bright and mainly block views of each other. Some use the 3M window insulating film for tidiness.
I do want/need to comment that you need to add many more branches for your guy. Especially needed is one at about 8-9” below basking lights (provided you are using the standard T5 with a 5.0 or 6% bulb). It can be a challenge to hang them, but there are solutions. https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/ This is one which is wonderful and worth its weight in gold. Garden trellis or lattice is another. See my pics below…it adds a nice aesthetic and is available on line in an assortment of colors if you don’t want it to be so noticeable. You’re using the scaffolding method, but that isn’t terribly strong for hanging plants of any decent size. For the trellis and Ledges, they both go on beat with the enclosure taken apart.

I have added many more sticks since this picture was taken! Thank you for the info

 

[DixonCider]

If you haven't already, you may want to try DIYing your screen enclosure into a hybrid enclosure. Here's a video explaining a rather simple and super cheap way to achieve this!

As an aside, I really recommend you getting a lot more sticks in the enclosure, probably of a thicker size too. Chameleons get around primarily by utilizing branches, so you want a lot of options for ease of traversal. Any space without plants or sticks is unused space, so keep that in mind. Oh, and the basking branch should be 8 inches below the UVB and basking fixtures!

More sticks have gone in since this photo was taken, ive been using a temp gun for my basking stick, im about 7in away with my temps ranging from 84-91F peak at the highest point, do I want these numbers to be slightly under the recommended temp range to account for his height? Thank you !

 

[MissSkittles]

It’s best to keep basking temp just a tad lower…a peak of 85. The basking branch should be 8-9” below the lights for optimal uvb exposure.

 

[DixonCider]

It’s best to keep basking temp just a tad lower…a peak of 85. The basking branch should be 8-9” below the lights for optimal uvb exposure.

Peak of 85 for a panther? Just want to be clear as I’ve heard 85 minimum for them. I do realize I never specified which kind of cham Im getting, oops!

 

[MissSkittles]

Peak of 85 for a panther? Just want to be clear as I’ve heard 85 minimum for them. I do realize I never specified which kind of cham Im getting, oops!

Basking temps is one of those husbandry items that has changed in recent years as we’ve learned more about them. My memory is that biologists and some chameleon people who went to Madagascar and other areas, measured the temps where the actual chameleons were sitting and basking and found them to be a bit cooler than originally thought. Also, I believe it was noticed that keeping chameleons a bit cooler extends their life spans. However, many vets and others have not kept up or have rejected the updated husbandry and still bake their chameleons. I keep my panther and veiled boys at 85 and my panther and veiled girls at 80.

 

[DixonCider]

Basking temps is one of those husbandry items that has changed in recent years as we’ve learned more about them. My memory is that biologists and some chameleon people who went to Madagascar and other areas, measured the temps where the actual chameleons were sitting and basking and found them to be a bit cooler than originally thought. Also, I believe it was noticed that keeping chameleons a bit cooler extends their life spans. However, many vets and others have not kept up or have rejected the updated husbandry and still bake their chameleons. I keep my panther and veiled boys at 85 and my panther and veiled girls at 80.

Good to know thanks! Still having a bit of trouble with my ambient temps, could I use a gentle space heater towards the bottom to acclimate the inside a bit and help raise the temperature? Any other tips for this? Really frustrating!

 

[MissSkittles]

Good to know thanks! Still having a bit of trouble with my ambient temps, could I use a gentle space heater towards the bottom to acclimate the inside a bit and help raise the temperature? Any other tips for this? Really frustrating!

I guess it all depends on how low your ambient temps are. If in the 60’s during the day, yes, I would be using something to increase temps. If at night, that’s perfect. Ambient temps in the 70’s during the day aren’t too bad lower in the enclosure. Most chameleons pretty much stay in the higher areas of their enclosure. Males will make routine patrols sometimes and make brief treks down lower. My enclosures are bioactive and I’ll find my chams sometimes lower to hunt their isopods. The whole idea is to provide a gradient of temps so that the chameleon can move to its desired temp area.

 

[GreystoneExotics]

I would not worry to much about the cooler temps away from the basking area and the top of the cage.

You want your cham to be able to self regulate temps on their own, and, should be moving about once they are setteled in and comfortable with their new enviroment. Could also be called micro climates.

It is good to have the enclosure dry out throughout the day as well.

 

[GreystoneExotics]

How crucial was running the fogger through the front? I cut the screen in the back to ziptie the tubing to the top of the screen in the back. What did you go with for covering? Shower curtain?

No, I ended up picking up some of that plastic cardboard stuff at Home Depot.

It was a little pricy, I could have near bought a Dragon Strand Enclosure when I was done.

 

[DixonCider]

No, I ended up picking up some of that plastic cardboard stuff at Home Depot.

It was a little pricy, I could have near bought a Dragon Strand Enclosure when I was done.

I ended up doing shower liner last night, seems to be helping. And honestly, should have just bit the bullet myself and got a hybrid to save myself this hassle but hey, its a good learning experience! Lol

 

[DixonCider]

I would not worry to much about the cooler temps away from the basking area and the top of the cage.

You want your cham to be able to self regulate temps on their own, and, should be moving about once they are setteled in and comfortable with their new enviroment. Could also be called micro climates.

It is good to have the enclosure dry out throughout the day as well.

Awesome thanks for that. I realized my probes were a little low in the cage so I elevated them more towards the center of the height of the cage, numbers went up a bit which was reassuring. And funny enough I found another digital hygro/thermometer in my house and threw it center top near the basking branch / mister and fogger, numbers went way up, so Im definitely feeling better. Gonna have to play around with my hydration timings now that I have 3 sides almost totally covered lol.

 

[DixonCider]

For anyone curious, these are the readings from each spot in the enclosure, and you can get a general sense of where I hung the probes for the exteriorly mounted unit. Seem okay? These reads are taken about 30mins after a 3 min mist (like I said im trying things lol)