New Owner! Need some advice

[marich03]

Hello, I am looking to buy a panther chameleon but I want to make sure I have everything right before I get him.

First can someone please tell me all the bulbs that are needed, I know I need 2 types but I am not sure what exact 2 I am looking for

Second, Can someone please tell me the 3 supplements I should buy along with links, and how often I give them to my chameleon, along with how often I should be giving them crickets and or worms

And lastly, can someone please explain the misting/ fogging systems to me, are they the same thing or do I need 2 sperate machines?

Also, and tips that you wish you knew when you first got your first cham?
Thank you!

 

[DonKeesh]

https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-basics/

 

[marich03]

https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-basics/

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-slimline-desert-50-uvb-t8-fluorescent-fixture

Would this light be ok, is 50 UVB the same as 5.0 UVB, thank you! just dont want to burn my cham!

 

[marich03]

Hello, I am looking to buy a panther chameleon but I want to make sure I have everything right before I get him.

First can someone please tell me all the bulbs that are needed, I know I need 2 types but I am not sure what exact 2 I am looking for

Second, Can someone please tell me the 3 supplements I should buy along with links, and how often I give them to my chameleon, along with how often I should be giving them crickets and or worms

And lastly, can someone please explain the misting/ fogging systems to me, are they the same thing or do I need 2 sperate machines?

Also, and tips that you wish you knew when you first got your first cham?
Thank you!

Cage:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...wokDgXO1CAdopgnmV8hoC3OUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

UVB Bulb:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-slimline-desert-50-uvb-t8-fluorescent-fixture

Basking Bulb:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/flukers-clamp-lamp-with-dimmer

https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Neodymium-Daylight-Bulbs-Reptiles/dp/B0759RP3QB

Supplements:

Fed Twice A Month:

https://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Calcium-Plus-LoD-JAR/dp/B00DLJRMV2?crid=34FBGT9QH78IA&dchild=1&keywords=repashy+calcium+plus+lod&qid=1615195314&sprefix=repashy+calcium+plus+lo,aps,357&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=chameleonscho-20&linkId=f27d7fe8344cf35b6a2c60980e2bc7fa&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Daily:

https://www.chewy.com/pisces-usa-ca...PdrJOo24PZIcXd5eGEEP_UdSQWUWZDmhoCYqgQAvD_BwE


This is what my setup is looking like so far, I know I need plants and a misting system, anything else you guys can reccomend?

 

[MissSkittles]

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-slimline-desert-50-uvb-t8-fluorescent-fixture

Would this light be ok, is 50 UVB the same as 5.0 UVB, thank you! just dont want to burn my cham!

That would work, but you’d be much better off getting an Arcadia Pro T5 or a ReptiSun. https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/sn...le-prot5-uv-b-kit-5312302.html?fmethod=Search (other places I checked are sold out)
Give me a few minutes to check out the other stuff you linked to.

 

[MissSkittles]

For enclosure, the XL ReptiBreeze that you linked to is fine. However, while almost identical in design, I just prefer this one. https://www.diycages.com/collection...ducts/sc4-48x24x24-jumbo-vertical-screen-cage It just seems a bit sturdier to me.
For basking bulb, all you need is an old fashioned incandescent bulb like this. https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Incande...659998804&s=hi&sprefix=Incan,tools,148&sr=1-6 For wattage, 60-75 w is a good starting point and see what temps they give you. The dimming fixture is great, but to take full advantage of it you’ll need it hooked up to something like a herpstat. https://spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
For supplements, the Repashy calcium plus LoD is a great multivitamin/D3 combo to use one feeding every other week. I haven’t heard of the company of the calcium you linked, but it is phosphorus free and without D3, so it should be ok.
For a great misting system, go with a Mist King. It’s more expensive than something like a ReptiRain, but we’ll worth it. I’ve no experience with CliMist, but I’ve heard it’s comparable to Mist King.
Some use drippers in addition to misting. Personally I don’t see the need and mist only.
Night time fogging with a cool mist humidifier is recommended but only if your night time temps are below 68-70.
For plants, safe live ones are best. Pothos is a staple plant and can be quite versatile. If you’ve been over to Chameleon Academy, you’ll have seen the safe plant list. Many of the more tropical plants will need a decent plant light in order to thrive. For something like a sun-loving hibiscus, you’ll need to invest in a really good light like an Arcadia Jungle Dawn or a Sansi 70w led.
One of the things that is optional, but really makes setting up your enclosure so much easier are Dragon Ledges. https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/
My personal preference is to use real branches instead of fake vines. While I do have 1 fake vine in each of my enclosures, all the rest is branches. Avoid sappy or aromatic trees such as pine. Give a little scrub down with some dish soap, blast well with the hose and sun dry.
If you haven’t already read thru all of the modules at Chameleon Academy, I encourage you to do so. It’s a great learning resource. Of course, continue asking whatever questions you have here too.

 

[marich03]

For enclosure, the XL ReptiBreeze that you linked to is fine. However, while almost identical in design, I just prefer this one. https://www.diycages.com/collection...ducts/sc4-48x24x24-jumbo-vertical-screen-cage It just seems a bit sturdier to me.
For basking bulb, all you need is an old fashioned incandescent bulb like this. https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Incandescent-Watt-Light-Bulb/dp/B07KYVFXFX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3G4U63K84ZYS1&keywords=incandescent+light+bulbs&qid=1659998804&s=hi&sprefix=Incan,tools,148&sr=1-6 For wattage, 60-75 w is a good starting point and see what temps they give you. The dimming fixture is great, but to take full advantage of it you’ll need it hooked up to something like a herpstat. https://spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
For supplements, the Repashy calcium plus LoD is a great multivitamin/D3 combo to use one feeding every other week. I haven’t heard of the company of the calcium you linked, but it is phosphorus free and without D3, so it should be ok.
For a great misting system, go with a Mist King. It’s more expensive than something like a ReptiRain, but we’ll worth it. I’ve no experience with CliMist, but I’ve heard it’s comparable to Mist King.
Some use drippers in addition to misting. Personally I don’t see the need and mist only.
Night time fogging with a cool mist humidifier is recommended but only if your night time temps are below 68-70.
For plants, safe live ones are best. Pothos is a staple plant and can be quite versatile. If you’ve been over to Chameleon Academy, you’ll have seen the safe plant list. Many of the more tropical plants will need a decent plant light in order to thrive. For something like a sun-loving hibiscus, you’ll need to invest in a really good light like an Arcadia Jungle Dawn or a Sansi 70w led.
One of the things that is optional, but really makes setting up your enclosure so much easier are Dragon Ledges. https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/
My personal preference is to use real branches instead of fake vines. While I do have 1 fake vine in each of my enclosures, all the rest is branches. Avoid sappy or aromatic trees such as pine. Give a little scrub down with some dish soap, blast well with the hose and sun dry.
If you haven’t already read thru all of the modules at Chameleon Academy, I encourage you to do so. It’s a great learning resource. Of course, continue asking whatever questions you have here too.

Wow thank you so much! this is exactly what I was looking for!! Your the best! I can't wait to begin the journey! I was worried this was going to be too much for me to understand but now I see this isn't as hard as it seems!

And if anyone else has anything else to add to this please feel free to leave a comment below!

 

[Beman]

That fixture you linked is a crappy one... https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zilla-slimline-desert-50-uvb-t8-fluorescent-fixture
I would get a T5HO fixture and a 5.0 or 6% bulb. Follow the info @MissSkittles gave you. Look for the ProT5 made by arcadia in a 24 inch fixture and select the 6% bulb to go with it.