caging for new melleri
i currently house the mellri in a 2x2x4 screen cage that sits on a metal stand with a large plastic tub mounted in it, making the actual inteirior dimensions 2x2x5. the top sits at 7 feet. general lighting is provided by a 125 watt large format cfl in a large dome fixture,(both from a hydroponics shop) along with a 125 watt powersun in a dome for UVB. lights are on timers with a 12 hour cycle 9am to 9pm. Ive read that cfls are linked with eye problems but have kept panthers & veileds for years using this type of light combo without any trouble. lots of light and the plants love it. a large ficus, a pothos & some fairly thick (bigger than my thumb) bendy branches for roosting. his main basking site is aprox 6 feet off the ground and the bulb is aprox 15'' above that. the temp @ the basking site sits in the high 80s & the ambient room temp in the mid 70s with a drop into the 60s @ night. hydration is provided by a mistking misting 15 min @ 9:45 am, 5 min @ 1pm and 15 min @ 7pm, using RO water. the average humidity in the room hovers around 40% with spikes upwards of 80% after misting. all this water drains into buckets and is used to water my plants. i also keep a pair of blue bar ambilobi in 2 identical cages. although the melleri was an impulsive purchase, i was buying bugs as it was unpacked & just couldnt resist! i had just compleated this cage for a young (6 month) male veiled who is ready to move into a large home. i am currently puting together a slightly smaller 18x18x36 screen cage on a similar stand so it will be 18x18x48 inside & 7 feet tall with the same lights etc for my female panther
