Hi and welcome. ? So awesome that you and your niece are learning and setting up before getting. Just curious why a 36” T5? A 24” is really all you need. Repti Sun‘s 24” usually come with a 5.0 uvb bulb. As the uvb output decreases over time, that bulb will need to be changed every 6 months. Arcadia brand 6% uvb bulbs only need to be changed yearly. I bought the Repti Sun and when it was time to change the bulb, I put in Arcadia.
For a basking bulb, I suggest using an old fashioned incandescent household bulb. LED won’t work as it doesn’t put off enough heat. Start with a 60w and see what kind of temps that gives. Young veileds and females should have basking temps in the low 80’s.
An automatic mister, like Mist King is so very convenient to have but not necessary. A simple spray bottle will work too.
For decor, you can use branches from your yard but avoid pine and other woods that have sap. Just clean with Dawn, blast with a hose and dry in the sun. Avoid plastic and other fake plants. Veileds nibble their plants and have been known to eat a fake leaf and get impacted. Pothos is excellent to use. This provides a list of safe plants.
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/ Do keep in mind that some plants will need a grow bulb in order to do well. You’ll want to create many little roads for the cham to travel and with plants, create some shady areas and places to hide.
To hang plants, branches and vines, the best thing you could invest in is Dragon Ledges. They are so very worth it!
https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/
FYI: Dragon Strand and chameleonacademy.com are created by the same person, who also has created podcasts. I strongly encourage you both to check out chameleon academy and the podcasts. You’ll learn not just what to do and how to do it, but why.
Avoid using any substrate on the floor. Bare floor is easiest to keep clean and most hygienic. Also avoid water features like waterfalls as those easily become bacterial breeding grounds.
You’ll want to figure out a good drainage system to deal with all of the excess water. Dragon Strand has drainage trays you could use. Repti Breeze sells a stand for the enclosure that enables one to drill small holes in the bottom tray and place a bucket beneath.
Speaking of water, in most areas the tap water isn’t so good to use...chlorine, fluoride and other additives. If you invest in a misting system, you definitely won’t want to use tap water. Distilled water is good as is reverse osmosis water.
While there are several methods of supplementing, I think the tried and true is best. Phosphorus free calcium without D3 at every feeding except 1 per week. On that one feeding weekly you’ll alternate using phosphorus free calcium with D3 and a multivitamin, so that each is given once every other week.
Keep asking questions and learning as much as you can.
