Newbie questions

[questnjurny]

Sorry if these have been asked a gazillion times before, I only have the patience to search through a few pages of threads to find my answers.

For the light. I'm going to get a Reptisun 5.0, that is the best one correct, or would I be better to go with the 10.0? What about the MVB bulbs? It is just a tube flourescent isn't it? In other words, I can put it in my light hood that I have that sits on top of my fish tank right now? I have another one with compacts taht I can put on the fish tank.

I'm planning on making an enclosure, btu to be honest, I've not built a lot of things, generally I get my dad to build them for me, but I think he will frown on me getting another pet, so I want to at least get all my materials and be able to stare at them in panic at what I've done before I call him. There was an awesome site that was posted on here chameleonparadise.com that really laid it out simply which is what I need...got on there once, and now the site appears to be down? Are there any other sites that have nice simple easy to understand plans for a 2x2x4 cage with a shopping list etc?

Anyone have some good Canadian sites (I'm not totally opposed to american, its just easier to order within canada sometimes) for supplies? I'm going to head up to a pet store today which specializes in fish and reptiles, but I'd like to see prices for online suppliers and see if they are much cheaper. I like to support the local stores, but only if they're somewhat competative with prices.

Lets see, I think those are my burning questions for now, I'll add to the thread as I think of more things that come up.

 

[questnjurny]

One more thing...what is the "ultimate" book to have on chameleons, specifically veileds, what other books are good, what ones to avoid?

Okay two more things. I've read a lot on what types of screen/mesh to get. Aluminum mesh? But not as tight as screen doors, right? Is there anything with a larger mesh that will still keep crickets in? I'm guessing this is found at Home Depot...in the window department? Are there many choices for aluminum mesh? Just when I think I actually am starting to learn something I realize I know nothing.

 

[Justin Carl]

Sorry if these have been asked a gazillion times before, I only have the patience to search through a few pages of threads to find my answers.


For the light. I'm going to get a Reptisun 5.0, that is the best one correct, or would I be better to go with the 10.0? What about the MVB bulbs? It is just a tube flourescent isn't it? In other words, I can put it in my light hood that I have that sits on top of my fish tank right now? I have another one with compacts taht I can put on the fish tank.
Yes, mostly everyone here says go with a reptisun 5.0.
I wouldnt use a 10.0 unless you had a huge cage. I use the Mercury Vapor Bulbs on a couple of my cages and I have yet to have a problem with them.
Some new ones just came out on the market that are 60 watt.
You can use the hood that is on your fish tank, but you need to replace it with the correct bulb.
Never use a compact bulbs! plain and simple.

I'm planning on making an enclosure, btu to be honest, I've not built a lot of things, generally I get my dad to build them for me, but I think he will frown on me getting another pet, so I want to at least get all my materials and be able to stare at them in panic at what I've done before I call him. There was an awesome site that was posted on here chameleonparadise.com that really laid it out simply which is what I need...got on there once, and now the site appears to be down? Are there any other sites that have nice simple easy to understand plans for a 2x2x4 cage with a shopping list etc?
How old is you chameleons? What species?

Anyone have some good Canadian sites (I'm not totally opposed to american, its just easier to order within canada sometimes) for supplies? I'm going to head up to a pet store today which specializes in fish and reptiles, but I'd like to see prices for online suppliers and see if they are much cheaper. I like to support the local stores, but only if they're somewhat competative with prices.

Lets see, I think those are my burning questions for now, I'll add to the thread as I think of more things that come up.

answer in red.

 

[questnjurny]

Don't worry, I don't know much, but I have learned from reading the site not to use a compact! I'll use it on my fish instead. Just wanted to make sure that the hood was teh same and not something fancy that I needed to get.

Unsure on the age of the cham, she is at a rescue org and they dont' have any history on her. She is a veiled, full grown, appears healthy, that's about what they know. she'll be under observation for another 5 weeks or so, so I have some time to get set up and cram my head full of info.

 

[questnjurny]

I was looking at the LLL Reptile enclosures, specifically the 24 x24 x 48 aluminum screen cage. Would I be better just ordering one of these? What kind of quality is the cage? I'm not wild about the aluminum look but wondering if I could make a cage for under $99.00 + shipping (though teh shipping might be prohibitive). How well can you see through the cage when its closed, anyone got a pic of one set up?

 

[questnjurny]

Well finally made a decision. My dad and I are about 1/2 done the new enclosure, I am so excited to get it done and see it all set up! I ended up going 4' high, by 3' wide, 2' deep. I forgot to take pics of it as it goes up, I'll have to take the camera down when I got down to put another bit of caulking on. It is much better built with my dad helping than if I had tried on my own, he had me completely confused on how it was all going to fit together until we actually did it. So, wood frame is done (2x2's), caulking will be mostly finished tonight, shelves and door to be done on Sunday, then stained/varathaned, hopefully early enough that there is time for it to dry and get the screen on. Decided to go 1/8" aluminum screen mesh for sides and front, back is plywood, roof will be 1/4" wire mesh, and it will all sit in bottom made of aluminum with a drain (my dad is an aluminum welder). I've spent hours going through all the pics of enclosures on here and I think that I've picked out the features that I liked the best...I hope it works for me when I get it done!

Oh, I was planning on only doing the cage 2' wide, so was just going to use a 24" UV bulb as I have a hood for that. Can I still use a 24" bulb, or should I get a 36" one now that the cage is 3' wide?