New enclosure, am I doing it right?

[YungPygs]

Hi all,
I'm brand new to the chameleon world here. So I've been reading up and doing my research on some veiled chameleons. I plan on purchasing one in the next month or so. BUT, this is my dilemma. I am going to purchase a full screen cage soon, because I know they need their ventilation so bacteria does not form. I will be keeping the guy in my bedroom where I have my Bearded Dragon, so my room is a tad warmer than usual ~68-70 degrees. What size/wattage lights do I need to keep it a bit warmer, and a misting system? What would you recommend. Also, I bought some live plants, some Pony Tail palms, Lavender, and some other larger plants. I washed them thoroughly, and have them planted in sterile soil as to make sure all pesticides and fertilizers are out of them and the soil, I have them under a UVB light. I am then going to transplant them into terracotta pots and put them in the enclosure. Does this seem right to you seasoned chameleon keepers?

 

[creddjobs]

The heat bulb I just use a regular bulb. My room usually stays about 70-75 so I use a 60 watt bulb.. I also use a mistking mister with the timer it comes with. Pretty awesome mister $125 after shipping. I say screen cage with some type of drainage options since you will need to use a dripper as well.

 

[creddjobs]

Find a way to affix the basking light where the light doesnt sit directly on top of the screen. I use some PCV pipe screwed into the screen and use one of those clamp lights. It makes it easier to raise or lower if u need to...

 

[YungPygs]

I am actually gonna build my own enclosure. I have some 1x2s enough to build a 18x18x36 screen enclosure. As for the bottom section of the enclosure, what do you suggest I put around the bottom so the water doesn't escape? Some plexi glass or something?

 

[camimom]

if you buy a male veiled, youll want a 2x2x4 cage for him.

 

[creddjobs]

You want the water out of the cage, sitting water can be a problem, What I did was bought a wire type table from walmart ($15) and drilled some holes in the bottom on the cage http://www.homedepot.com/buy/storag...ems/whitmor/supreme-stacking-shelf-10670.html I put a bucket under it to catch the water

 

[YungPygs]

I will build a bigger enclosure it's no problem. As for the drainage, I don't think i'll need it. For now, I have a big dripper and I'll just put a tupper ware container under it to catch the excess. Then over summer I will buy the mister, when my funds re-cooperate. I will mist them 3-4x a day too just so the humidity stays up.

 

[creddjobs]

I will build a bigger enclosure it's no problem. As for the drainage, I don't think i'll need it. For now, I have a big dripper and I'll just put a tupper ware container under it to catch the excess. Then over summer I will buy the mister, when my funds re-cooperate. I will mist them 3-4x a day too just so the humidity stays up.

Sounds good, and good luck with your guy.