Is my Substrate okay?

[fluxlizard]

Wait, what's underneath the tank? Also, how are
You getting the water out? I have a jackson, so I have to push a lot of water through my cage. Impossible to do without a drainage system. Your little Cham is so cute.

You don't have to mist very much at all in a glass tank to keep the humidity up. Limited ventilation has it's perks. A light mist- enough to cause a haze of droplets on the walls, but not puddles on the floor, morning and night, along with a drip cup that drips 20-30 minutes into a catch bowl, along with the use of live potted plants (plants give off humidity through respiration) will be enough to meet the humidity and water needs of a chameleon in a glass tank.

When I used to use glass tanks, that is how I did it. I lined the bottom with newspaper and fed out of bowls. The newspaper will absorb moisture when the tank is lightly misted, and when the drip splashes into the catch bowl, and will then dry over a few hours time- drying is the process of evaporation, which releases moisture into the air, raising the humidiity.

Glass tanks really aren't difficult...

 

[fluxlizard]

underneath my tank is a little heating pad there is space between the pad and the tank but its not a warm room so that why I had that under there. I want to know more about this Exo Terra being problematic.... what type of problems can it cause? If I do put a lot of time into her and cleaning her terrarium every day is the Exo Terra still very problematic? Do they sell screen enclosures or do people make them on their own. I also was considering getting a mistking is that the best mister out there for them. Also I have been wiping out excess water on the bottom because I do not have a drainage system... Thank you I named her Layla!

Toss the heat pad. You probably don't need it.

Don't spend lots of time cleaning in there every day- it will bother your chameleon to constantly have you in there. If you go bare tank bottom, you can spend a minute or two wiping poop off the glass with a damp rag. If you use paper, change the paper once or twice a week. Should take you 5 or 10 minutes to remove any plants, bowls, etc, take the paper out and replace everything.

Food bowl and drip catch bowl should be removed first, and then rinsed out and wiped clean every day. Again, this is a job that should take no more than 5 minutes tops.

What else is there to spend a lot of time doing?

 

[fluxlizard]

Obligatory link to THE thread on using glass tanks:

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

I myself used glass tanks for years, breeding several species in them.

If you want to go with screen- I like my DIY cages pretty well.

http://www.diycages.com/

 

[Juliaf3]

I saw that you can buy screen enclosures online if I were to buy a screen enclosure what is the best one? any opinions?! I really want the best for Layla so any advice or info would be great!

You can buy reptibreeze (all screen enclosures) just about anywhere chams are sold. Petsmart, petco- they have them for sure. You know what I seen once that I thought was cool? Someone had an exoterra and extended it with a reptibreeze. Making it taller by simply connecting the reptibreeze to the top of the exoterra and giving Cham branches to climb up. Obviously they had to take the top of Exo and bottom out of reptibreeze. But it was cool. I've always Heard the taller the better. Not when they are babies though, just when full grown. I second the remark about losing the heating pad. Like someone else said on here, one of the perks of the exo is it's abilities to hold moisture and heat. It doesn't matter if the glass on the bottom is cold. Your chameleon should not be walking on the ground anyway. They are tree dwellers. This may be a sign of something wrong if he is- that's what I've read anyway. I'm no expert on anything

 

[Juliaf3]

I personally just like the all screen enclosures better because it's way easier to keep nice and clean. Also, when they get older, you will definitely want more then two foot of climbing space. Well you may not, but your Cham will and it's hard to find an exo that big. It would be expensive. The glass enclosures I've seen that were big and roomy for adult chams were home made.

 

[DanSB]

"Proof" LOL!
Check out some of the necroscopy pics Dr. O took of pieces of bark and other objects he pulled out of the guts of dead chams.
And the OP didn't say 'ground' coconut fiber, he just said coconut fiber.

Veileds DO eat pieces of junk, weather it causes a problem or not, why take the chance.

I agree about the filth, it would be hard to find dead, rotting crickets and other
feeders in the substrate, and it would soon be a breeding ground for all sorts
of parasites and mold.

I read all the threads I can find on this forum and others regarding impaction because natural vivariums are my main interest. Yes, impaction seems to be an issue with a lot of substrate, sphagnum moss, rocks, wood chips, etc, but coconut choir is one I've never heard of being a real impaction risk.

There are benefits to setting up a large naturalistic terrarium, but it is not for beginners. And if you cham develops the habit of eating substrate it is time to remove it all and re-evaluate care and nutrition.

This hobby has many Wile E Coyotes ie, try something once and assume it is wrong because it was not executed properly.

But again, I agree it is best to not use any substrate until you fully understand the risks and know what you are doing.

 

[fluxlizard]

This hobby has many Wile E Coyotes ie, try something once and assume it is wrong because it was not executed properly.

So true that.

 

[streetmike84]

Glass exo terra is fine for young chams but may be a bit small for an adult
I have a panther about 2 months old in a exo and plan to get it a wooden vivexotic in a couple of months
As i live in the UK it is almost impossible to keep up the temps and humidity in a screen enclosure and as these do keep the humidity well you do not need a lot of misting or drainage

 

[Livelaidback]

So to let everyone know! I took all the coconut fiber out! I did see her eat a piece so right then and there I removed it. I live in Maine and its winter so thats why I had the heating pad under there but if you guys say I should get rid of it I will! I have decided for now I will keep the exo terra and make sure its not collecting water on the bottom. The winter is cold and dry here so I really think the glass terrarium is helpful for the cold weather. ALTHOUGH ! later this spring I will be buying a screen enclosure for her so that she has all the room she wants as she grows (and for the warmer months)! We have been hand feeding Layla and now every time we open the doors Layla comes running over to the front for food!

 

[Juliaf3]

So to let everyone know! I took all the coconut fiber out! I did see her eat a piece so right then and there I removed it. I live in Maine and its winter so thats why I had the heating pad under there but if you guys say I should get rid of it I will! I have decided for now I will keep the exo terra and make sure its not collecting water on the bottom. The winter is cold and dry here so I really think the glass terrarium is helpful for the cold weather. ALTHOUGH ! later this spring I will be buying a screen enclosure for her so that she has all the room she wants as she grows (and for the warmer months)! We have been hand feeding Layla and now every time we open the doors Layla comes running over to the front for food!

That's awesome! Glad to hear Layla had taken to you already!

 

[Livelaidback]

That's awesome! Glad to hear Layla had taken to you already!

Yes! I can tell she already is much happier being with me! do you or any one else have any tips on how to handle your chameleon for the first time if you never have?

 

[zanethan]

You know what I seen once that I thought was cool? Someone had an exoterra and extended it with a reptibreeze. Making it taller by simply connecting the reptibreeze to the top of the exoterra and giving Cham branches to climb up. Obviously they had to take the top of Exo and bottom out of reptibreeze.

That's what I did with min until I can get my custom enclosure completed. It's worked very well so far.

 

[Juliaf3]

Yes! I can tell she already is much happier being with me! do you or any one else have any tips on how to handle your chameleon for the first time if you never have?

Use a stick. Place it under her so she knows to grab onto it. Don't stick it under and lift up and pull her off. Just give her the option to grab the stick.

 

[Juliaf3]

That's what I did with min until I can get my custom enclosure completed. It's worked very well so far. View attachment 93046

Ya! That's exactly what I was talking about! So cool!

 

[Juliaf3]

If she's hand feeding- hold feeder, bend arm and put elbow towards her. Make sure she can still see feeder. I bet she'll climb right up. I'd wait a bit thought and just keep hand feeding .

 

[Livelaidback]

Thanks for the tips those are really smart ideas! thank you so much any more advice on anything at all is helpful I want to know all I can!