Mold

[shandi]

Has anyone has any problems with mold? I'm so afraid the cage is going to get mold because its always wet. -Shandi

 

[Emasse22]

As long as you have the screen cage there shouldn't be a problem! I run my mister all day long and never have had any issues

 

[nick barta]

If the bottom is plastic without carpet, dirt, bark, it will dry between mistings.

 

[xephyr17]

Let it dry between mistings and you'll be alright.

But note that if you don't clean out the poop every day you'll start seeing mold grow on it by the end of day 2 a lot of the time...

 

[Psychobunny]

I use real tree branches, and in time, with constant dripping on the same spot, it does turn black.
It can be removed with some vinegar solution and a scouring pad.

I have had the same branches for years

Fake vine leaves, same thing. They are easy to clean.

 

[shandi]

I have wood chips at the bottom to help keep humidity up. they don't dry well.

 

[xephyr17]

I'd suggest removing them. Your cham could possibly eat them and get impacted, on top of the fact that they don't dry well...

If you set up a drainage system on the bottom of the enclosure you won't have to worry

 

[carol5208]

I have wood chips at the bottom to help keep humidity up. they don't dry well.

They will mold over time from all the moisture. Get rid of them as they can pose a health hazard to your chameleon also.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I just got some Eco-clean and F10SC to do weekly cleaning. I will report my finding but it sounds like it should work great.

 

[Psychobunny]

I have wood chips at the bottom to help keep humidity up. they don't dry well.

I don't recommend doing this at all.
There are other ways to keep the RH up.
Just decide on a misting schedule. And mist several times a day, allowing the cage to dry between cycles.

I used to be fussy about having a separate hygrometer for each cage, but discovered it was useless.
The reading fluctuated like crazy.
I know the cage has good RH because I cover the back, and one, or both sides of the cages with clear plastic.
So even if the room is only 30%RH, I know inside the cages are way higher, and don't need a meter to tell me that.

Sometimes in the winter, dry room air, I use humidifiers.

But I don't get as neurotic over measurements as I used to.

 

[pigglett79]

Honestly I don't even worry about humidity. I mist 4 times a day, 2 of which are long showers and allow the cage to dry between misting. You don't want a constantly high humid environment anyway, that's how you end up with mold, bacteria and infections. I have my Jackson and panthers all in the same room on the same schedule and they do just fine. I don't have shedding issues nor have any of them had a respiratory infection. They spend 3-4 hours outside in the morning at least 3 days a week for extra UV and I use outdoor misters on their outdoor cages.

The moral of the story is just remove the bark it's going to cause mold, bacteria and possible impactation from accidental ingegstion. You want spikes in humidity with misting and not constant humidity.