I'm going to do it fully planted!

[Whatcamo]

Ok so I've been reading a lot about the no no of substrate in the bottom of our cham's enclosures, because the of the possibility of ingestion and bacterial growth etc. so what I've been thinking is doing a fully planted bottom in my terrarium all of my plants will be planted in an organic soil / hydroponic medium with complete drainage.
Plants that I'll be using will be my ficus, rubber tree plant, pothos, kangaroo vine, sensitive plant, I will have multiple low growing ground covering plants such as live mosses and ferns to cover the open soil and substraig. I will have a large culture of spring tails and other mold and bateria eating bugs living in this area that will help control that situation,
So any suggestions for going this route other than don't do it? Any good suggestions on low light ground covering plants? Stuff like that?

 

[Lizardlover]

There is no way you'll be able to keep moss alive and properly care for your chameleon.

 

[suzi]

Here is a thread that you may find useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

On page 4 it talks about screen to separate the soil and hydroton balls for drainage.

 

[graham]

Im pretty sure if they ingest rubber tree it can be noooo good.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Here is a thread that you may find useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

On page 4 it talks about screen to separate the soil and hydroton balls for drainage.

EXCELLENT article!

 

[Whatcamo]

There is no way you'll be able to keep moss alive and properly care for your chameleon.

Reasons? Please no general answers we are all here to learn thanks!

 

[Whatcamo]

Im pretty sure if they ingest rubber tree it can be noooo good.

It's a type of ficus and everything I've found they are safe it's also in my panther's cage once again please detail your answers to better benefit everyone thanks!

 

[Whatcamo]

Here is a thread that you may find useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

On page 4 it talks about screen to separate the soil and hydroton balls for drainage.

Awesome thanks for the link! Great ideas in that thread!

 

[Whatcamo]

Also here's a pic of my current enclosure I really don't like the look of the potted plants sitting in there

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Also here's a pic of my current enclosure I really don't like the look of the potted plants sitting in there

I didnt like the look either, which is one of the reasons why i went with a viv for my jacksons adult enclosure.

 

[jcb]

Here is a thread that you may find useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

On page 4 it talks about screen to separate the soil and hydroton balls for drainage.

Is that thread A sticky? It should be

 

[Whatcamo]

So anymore suggestions ideas on plants for the substrate etc.?

 

[Olimpia]

I highly recommend a couple 5000k fluorescent bulbs across the top to add light to the cage, which will help with your plants.

I also think that you could cover the floor in something like sphagnum moss, which will still look better than nothing but doesn't really need much. That and maybe some river rocks... you could do lots of interesting things.

 

[Sticktongue]

THe only thought i have is.. You said you're going to have a lot of plants covering the bottom. I wonder if the crickets are going to stay towards the bottom in all the plants. If so that could cause problems for feeding. Or.. maybe they will climb up to warm up in the basking light. Otherwise, the idea sounds pretty good to me!

 

[Whatcamo]

I already have the lighting in order...
As for the plants and crickets on the bottom well they're constantly jumping down to the bottom now with no way back up so I hoping this will at least be more natural and my like you said they'll climb back up to warm themselves ??
I also like the idea about the river rock I also picked up some waterfall foam to help hold rocks and such together it'll be a big to do hope my guy doesn't mind free ranging for a day while I get it all done! Lol
Keep the suggestions rolling guys and gals !!