I've done my research; but I still have a couple questions before I get a cham!

[mirrinias]

Hi everyone! First of all, I want to say these forums have been invaluable. But I have a couple of questions before I get everything set up.

First of all, I see compact UVB bulbs are getting a bad rap! I purchased a 26W 5.0 Reptiglo Exoterra compact from petsmart (where I work -- please don't kill me -- I don't plan on getting my cham from there). Anyway, I got this one because my coworker has a veiled that is in very good shape, and he uses this bulb plus a basking bulb in a combo dome. He was planning on selling me one of his combo domes tomorrow pretty cheap. I'd feel bad changing my mind, I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I want what's best for my future chameleon.

Also it might help to mention I am planning on a male veiled cham for my first one, and I have ordered an 18x18x36" screen cage.

Second question: I also bought a zoomed thermometer and humidity gauge, the dual analog type, and it says my room is at 70% humidity! Is it common for this type not to work? Should I go ahead and return it for a more expensive one?

Automatic misters (think reptifogger -- can't afford the fancy ones quite yet): worth it?

Other than that, I think I have it covered. I bought a ficus for the cage when it comes, and I am working on getting some branches and sticks for the cage as well. I think I'm going to put in some fake orchids for the fun of it too. Any other advice is welcome!

 

[Branman]

Hi everyone! First of all, I want to say these forums have been invaluable. But I have a couple of questions before I get everything set up.

First of all, I see compact UVB bulbs are getting a bad rap! I purchased a 26W 5.0 Reptiglo Exoterra compact from petsmart (where I work -- please don't kill me -- I don't plan on getting my cham from there). Anyway, I got this one because my coworker has a veiled that is in very good shape, and he uses this bulb plus a basking bulb in a combo dome. He was planning on selling me one of his combo domes tomorrow pretty cheap. I'd feel bad changing my mind, I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I want what's best for my future chameleon.

Also it might help to mention I am planning on a male veiled cham for my first one, and I have ordered an 18x18x36" screen cage.

Second question: I also bought a zoomed thermometer and humidity gauge, the dual analog type, and it says my room is at 70% humidity! Is it common for this type not to work? Should I go ahead and return it for a more expensive one?

Automatic misters (think reptifogger -- can't afford the fancy ones quite yet): worth it?

Other than that, I think I have it covered. I bought a ficus for the cage when it comes, and I am working on getting some branches and sticks for the cage as well. I think I'm going to put in some fake orchids for the fun of it too. Any other advice is welcome!

That bulb will be fine. I use that bulb. Many other members also use that type of bulb. They used to be bad but they have improved. Just make sure you replace the bulb every 6 months.

The analog ones are okay. They usually work fine. Ive never had a problem with them. I know other members have had a problem. But not everything works perfect when it's brand new. Sometimes bad ones slip through. That's why I usually have two analog thermometers in my cages to make sure they both work.

I don't know much about the automatic misters. But I just hand mist mine with a water bottle. Im a broke college student so I can't afford that. I just buy a $1 spray bottle and it works just as good.

 

[DanSB]

That bulb will be fine. I use that bulb. Many other members also use that type of bulb. They used to be bad but they have improved. Just make sure you replace the bulb every 6 months.

The analog ones are okay. They usually work fine. Ive never had a problem with them. I know other members have had a problem. But not everything works perfect when it's brand new. Sometimes bad ones slip through. That's why I usually have two analog thermometers in my cages to make sure they both work.

I don't know much about the automatic misters. But I just hand mist mine with a water bottle. Im a broke college student so I can't afford that. I just buy a $1 spray bottle and it works just as good.

I second the bulb, it is fine and what I use. At least one of the more experienced people on the board here has mentioned he uses it as well and has observed no ill effects.

I have the Zoo med Thermometer / Hydrometer combo thing in my cage. The thermometer works fine but the hydrometer is always giving off wonky readings. I personally think the thermometer is more important I don't even really need a hydrometer for the most part as I can tell by looking at the plants how dry the cage is and if it needs more water or retained humidity. If you had a species that was really sensitive to the RH in the air though it is definitely worth getting a good one, with mine I know he just likes to be as humid as I can get it while retaining air flow.

I used a hand mister for awhile but switched to the exo terra pump mister. An 11 dollar investment that was well worth it in my opinion. The Petsmart by my house sells them I'm sure you can pick it up at work.

If you're not able to be home or get your Chameleon misted as often as required then it is a good idea to invest in an auto mister. (or if you have multiple cages).

 

[mirrinias]

Great to know about the bulb! I'm going to pick up a second thermometer for the cooler end of the cage and the hand mister tomorrow. I'll be able to test out how well humidified my cage is in the days before I get my chameleon. I might also stick in my very happy coleus, although I'm reluctant to move it because it likes the window so much.

 

[mirrinias]

I second the bulb, it is fine and what I use. At least one of the more experienced people on the board here has mentioned he uses it as well and has observed no ill effects.

I have the Zoo med Thermometer / Hydrometer combo thing in my cage. The thermometer works fine but the hydrometer is always giving off wonky readings. I personally think the thermometer is more important I don't even really need a hydrometer for the most part as I can tell by looking at the plants how dry the cage is and if it needs more water or retained humidity. If you had a species that was really sensitive to the RH in the air though it is definitely worth getting a good one, with mine I know he just likes to be as humid as I can get it while retaining air flow.

I used a hand mister for awhile but switched to the exo terra pump mister. An 11 dollar investment that was well worth it in my opinion. The Petsmart by my house sells them I'm sure you can pick it up at work.

If you're not able to be home or get your Chameleon misted as often as required then it is a good idea to invest in an auto mister. (or if you have multiple cages).

Turns out my hygrometer isn't so wrong after all! Outside, it's 83% humidity! (I live in the Pacific Northwest).

 

[camaleonte82]

here is my advice on the repti fogger. I Have one and i DON'T use it. It works very well to make your humidity high but you have good humidity in general because where you live......personally it is also hard to control the level of humidity it gives consistently. i had it go on and off every hour and it was making my humidity like 100% which is way to high.

I use the same 1$ spray bottle they use and it works best. you just have to make sure to spray the whole cage down 3 times a day. or get a kingmist or a exo terra monsoon.. i have the monsoon for when im not around. it works amazingly and can be on a cycle to go for set amount of time every so many hours. without a timer.

the fogger also doesn't really help them in drinking it doesn't make much of a water drop on the leaves. so its not really good for drinking just humidity levels.

that's just my opinion. im sure some people have good luck with the fogger. i know a lot of people use them

 

[mirrinias]

Yeah, I don't think I'm going to have a problem with humidity anymore. I have live plants, I got a pump mister and for drinking water I have a gallon plastic juice box from costco that is the perfect shape to make a dripper out of.