Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
I finally finished Rango's new enclosure and his new uvb light came in! Any suggestions? Still a work in progress
New enclosure
- Thread starter Rango_Vield_Chameleon
- Start date
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Looking good! I’d put a taller plant on one of the sides and a medium one on the other. More horizontal branches of varied diameters…make lots of little cham roads. 
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree with @MissSkittles . You need a small tree in there and lots more horizontal branches and a lot more foliage to make your Cham feel safe.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I hope the inside is waterproof, and there's a way for a drainage system.
I agree a good way to employ plants is to begin with 1 or 2 (in this size enclosure) centerpiece plants, and build out from there.
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
FWIW, I find it easier to begin with the plants and add the branches afterward. Others have done it the other way around, but that can complicate how & where you can fit plants in.
Branches serve for climbing where plants can't/don't. I started with larger plants that are strong enough for my cham to climb on, so the number of branches can be reduced. Fewer branches also makes the chams think (exercises their minds) & figure out how to get from point A to point B.
I agree a good way to employ plants is to begin with 1 or 2 (in this size enclosure) centerpiece plants, and build out from there.
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
FWIW, I find it easier to begin with the plants and add the branches afterward. Others have done it the other way around, but that can complicate how & where you can fit plants in.
Branches serve for climbing where plants can't/don't. I started with larger plants that are strong enough for my cham to climb on, so the number of branches can be reduced. Fewer branches also makes the chams think (exercises their minds) & figure out how to get from point A to point B.
bruce the cham
Avid Member
looks like the wrong uvb and is that reptile carpet i would not use that
Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
Yes we used a water based Polyurethane to seal the cabinet and make it water proof along with silicone in all corners and edges I only manually mist him so I didn't put a drain system in and no I don't use repti carpet it is live moss he also has a zoo med t5 linear 5.0 uvb and it's a 30", thank you for the advice on the plants!
bruce the cham
Avid Member
way more live plants if that is reptile carpet get rid of it and u using the wrong uvb
bruce the cham
Avid Member
how big
bruce the cham
Avid Member
also what species are you getting
bruce the cham
Avid Member
and what age
Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
Am I using the wrong uvb? With a linear T5 5.0, 30"? I don't have any reptile carpet in there at all.
Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
Am I using the wrong uvb? With a linear T5 5.0, 30"? I don't have any reptile carpet in there at all.
AmandaS
Retired Moderator
No, a 5.0 T5 is what you want.
Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
Thank you can I get your honest opinion on the cage I've worked really hard on it, I love Rango so much and want him to thrive I do agree with everyone about branches and plants which I am getting tomorrow I'm still new to this I've only had Rango for a short time but I'm really trying to do everything I can for him.
bruce the cham
Avid Member
soory i just saw the compact also the bottem looks like reptile carpet my bad
AmandaS
Retired Moderator
I love it. I think once you get that extra coverage and a few more branches you'll be golden!! You did a really nice job on it!!
The cage is coming along. You just need smaller diameter branches for the cham going throughout the cage. check basking temp as well looking for 80-85 max end. You want your distance to basking for the UVB to be 8-9 inches with a single bulb T5HO and a 5.0 bulb if you are using aluminum screen for the top of the enclosure. If you show what material you got that will tell us if you need another adjustment for distance. And let us know if you have a single bulb UVB fixture or multi. And you want to put some nice full Veiled tested center piece plants in there. Home depot or lowes nursery should have quite a few in.
Rango_Vield_Chameleon
New Member
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Definitely better, but still no centerpiece, which serves as a tree to chameleons.
Some that you can find at the big-box stores ($10-$15 ea.) that are already 2-4' tall are:
Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig, Ficus Tree)
Schefflera Arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)
Dracaena Massangeana (Mass Cane)
