I am new to the Forum so hello to all! After a year of keeping Poison Dart frogs and other different tropical frogs I have decided to take the plunge into Chameleons! Within the next couple weeks I plan on purchasing a Blue Bar male Ambilobe Panther Chameleon from FL Chams. I've done a lot of research and have begun to assemble my enclosure. I have fake vines and plants to fill in the enclosure and plan on getting an umbrella plant to help with humidity and give the chameleon some live vegetation to climb on. For heat I have a Solar Bright 160wt. Basking lamp. It says it provides UVA and UVB radiation. Do I need more than what that provides for my chameleon? Also, do I need a heating source for night time temps? My room falls to about 69 F. My humidity right now is low 40%. However i'm in the process of adding a line to my monsoon misting system and I will run it into my enclosure. This will also allow a drinking source for the chameleon. I've attached some pictures of my enclosure and i'm looking for advice or any tips that anyone has or any potential problems that they might see with my enclosure. Thanks you!
New Panther Chameleon Setup Advice.
- Thread starter zhuisky45
- Start date
falconut
Member
Setup looks nice. Not sure about the bulb, not familiar with a Solar Bright. Sounds like a Mercury Vapor bulb, like what I use on my basilisk enclosure. I'm in the process of setting up a Panther cage too.
I was considering a MV bulb (UVA & UVB combined) for mine, but the majority recommended going with a fluorescent tube (T5) UVB. So I ordered a Reptisun 5.0 T5 fixture, couldn't beat the price with a free bulb. You might need an additional basking bulb if you can't get the proper temps at the minimum distance to the basking spot, if you understand what I mean.
I think you're fine without a night time heat source from what I've read.
How about drainage, if you're adding a mister to your enclosure, you'll probably need one.
I was considering a MV bulb (UVA & UVB combined) for mine, but the majority recommended going with a fluorescent tube (T5) UVB. So I ordered a Reptisun 5.0 T5 fixture, couldn't beat the price with a free bulb. You might need an additional basking bulb if you can't get the proper temps at the minimum distance to the basking spot, if you understand what I mean.
I think you're fine without a night time heat source from what I've read.
How about drainage, if you're adding a mister to your enclosure, you'll probably need one.
I would recommend you use a separate fluorescent UVB bulb, preferably a ReptiSun 5.0 or Arcadia 6% tube. The basking bulb can be a standard incandescent, and the hottest basking site should be 85-90F for a male panther. You can adjust the temperature by changing the distance of the bulb or using a rheostat. The separate bulbs are best for chameleons because they can independently regulate their heat and UVB intake. There should be a horizontal branch or dowel at the appropriate height below the bulbs, and preferably multiple at different distances. I use T5 HO lights and get them from the site below:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/
Humidity levels don't have to be constant as long as they average around 50-70%. As mentioned, you will want to set up a drainage system for the mister.
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/
Humidity levels don't have to be constant as long as they average around 50-70%. As mentioned, you will want to set up a drainage system for the mister.
Thanks all! Regarding UVB I have a T8 slimelime fixture I've also added to the top of the enclosure not sure how deep that will penetrate into the tank but it has to help. Also regarding my mister and drainage I'm going to add a large plastics plant drainer to the bottom so all excess water will be caught in there. My basking sight right now averages at about 88-90 and the ambient temp during the day gets to about 75-78 F. Do those temps seem to check out ok? Panther chameleons do fine with no night heat (65-69 F)?
torreyakatoe
Member
All looks good, just in my opinion, add more climbing spaces! Horizontal branches high and low.
So I went and picked out a plant today and was originally going to get an umbrella plant, however, I decided to go with a Dracaena Massangeana. Read a bit about this plant on the Forum and it seemed like an alright choice for me. I now have vines going in and out of the plant and my basking site can be seen in one of my pictures. (Front right of cage with thermometer on it.) This plant does great at holding moisture as well! Any thoughts on the new changes? Any experience with this plant?
