Package setup

redline

redline

New Member
Hi guys, been getting notes on care since I'm planing to get a little guy. Now when it comes to set up, I see all different vendors with great looking set up for a beginner like me but is it worth getting
any package they offer or will it be better getting everything from cheaper sources?
I know is a headache for a beginner since we don't know what we mostly need.
Have not seen any guide on this. Can someone point me in the right direction? I would really appreciate it!

Thanks. Fredy
 
Welcome and good job on doing your research prior to purchase! The starter kits are great, but if you have time and patience, you can probably get better deals online. Check your local Craigslist and the classifieds here. Good luck and welcome to the community! :)
 
Welcome Freddy!
A lot to think about! Decide on what type of enclosure you need (size, requirements, placement, etc.), what you will be housing (did you ever think there were so many options!!!), basic requirements (humidity, temp, lighting, etc.), then do some keyword searches (finding a million things you did not think of), ask a few questions along the way and change your mind a bunch, feel overwhelmed and confused, and then... take a moment to know you've come to a great source of information and inspiration!
Then, if you want my advice, DIY cages were my choice after researching, but then I decided to build a custom enclosure. (So that cleared things up, right?!?)

Oh, and to answer your question, I have never found a "package deal" that was actually what I needed, so I always put my own together. It always seems cheaper, but when you really don't need what they offer you tend to waste your money;)!
 
Chameleons northwest, one of the forum sponsors, has awesome cage packages for beginners! They come with everything you need, and you can pay like ten dollars more and get a penn plax cage instead of a reptibreeze, the penn plax is super sturdy and has an acrylic door for better viewing and even has a cross bar on the top of cage to help support lighting and dripper
 
maxttu said:
Welcome and good job on doing your research prior to purchase! The starter kits are great, but if you have time and patience, you can probably get better deals online. Check your local Craigslist and the classifieds here. Good luck and welcome to the community! :)
Click to expand...

^^^ Thiss

There are a few basics

Cage: something suitable long term is 2'x2'x4 screened. You can get a smaller cage now and when your Cham outgrows it and you upgrade you can then use the smaller cage as a sun cage (for outdoor use when the weather is nice).

Lighting: anything 5.0 UVB (ReptiSun, ReptiGlo or Arcadia will work fine). A dome with. Regular household incandescent bulb for backing (start with a 60watt, you can move it up or down to reach the ideal basking temp).
If you have live plants you are going to want a 6500k grow bulb, unless you don't mind replacing your plants every few months or so.

Watering : a greattt investment is a misting system with a timer (so it can be used even when you are not around, great of you work a lot or the times when you have to be away for a day or 2). A dripper should be avaliable for drinking . This can be as simple as a bottle with a pinhole on the top of your cage that drips on a plant/leaves. There are also commercial drippers avaliable.

Gauges: good to know what your temps and humidity are. This can be digital with probes or the small round mechanical ones you stick on.

That's the basics. This rest is considered going above and beyond, which I urge you to. Your Cham will thank you with good health.
 
Hello!

The size of the set up will differ based on the cham, but one thing that is constant is having enough coverage for your chams, and keeping the humidity up. Scheffleura arbicola and pothos and dracenas (except the lucky bamboo dracena) are excellent for most chams. If you have a talent with plants, try getting a hibiscus, veiled chameleons have been known to eat the blossoms.

Pothos thrive on chameleon poo and too much water, and they get super viney, so they are wonderful for running pathways for your chameleon to use in getting around their setup to feed, bask, and hide.

Scheffleura Arbicola are wonderful fillers, they get very bushy and can get pretty large too. HOWEVER if you are getting a larger cham, their leaves can come off pretty easily, and they can be a bit tempermental and randomly die.

Dracenas are nice and sturdy, avoid lucky bamboo. They are excellent at adding height to a tank and there are types that grow very much up, and others that spike leaves out. Their leaves will support smaller chameleons but will bend under larger ones.

Hibiscus are VERY tempermental. The only way I've managed to keep one in a tank has been to have two hibiscus, and switch them between outside and in the tank... they die off fast if they don't like their environment.


I know it's only a portion of your set up, but it's a part that will make life a bit easier on you and your cham. Make sure you repot your plants with organic soil so as to avoid problems if your cham picks up a cricket on the dirt... also, keep the plants well watered and mist their leaves, as that will make the enclosure much more humid AND give your cham a drink.

Enjoy, and when you get one... post pics!
 
cricketkilla said:
can pay like ten dollars more and get a penn plax cage instead of a reptibreeze, the penn plax is super sturdy and has an acrylic door for better viewing and even has a cross bar on the top of cage to help support lighting and dripper
Click to expand...

I soooooo agree with this!!!
 
cricketkilla said:
Chameleons northwest, one of the forum sponsors, has awesome cage packages for beginners! They come with everything you need, and you can pay like ten dollars more and get a penn plax cage instead of a reptibreeze, the penn plax is super sturdy and has an acrylic door for better viewing and even has a cross bar on the top of cage to help support lighting and dripper
Click to expand...

I took this idea and incorporated it into my custom build! I love the great visibility that the acrylic offers!
 
My 18x18x36 penn plax was a nice score for $50, but keeping that acrylic door spotless and clear was a pain in the arse. Just say'n... :)
 
maxttu said:
My 18x18x36 penn plax was a nice score for $50, but keeping that acrylic door spotless and clear was a pain in the arse. Just say'n... :)
Click to expand...

Did you ever try the "lemon juice" fix? wondering if this will work on my new enclosure if I have issues.
 
maxttu said:
Never heard of that fix. Whatever the fix is, it's still one more step to do over having a screened door. Ya feel me? :)
Click to expand...

Its a little lemon juice and water to break down any deposits left on the surface, but yeah, I feel ya!:p
 
Wow.
Thanks guys. Very technical here when it comes to pc and cctv. But new to the hobby. A friend breeder has ambilobes by the end of October. I wanted to have an idea if you have a average package to start with. Many sites but really did not know if I getting what im what im paying for or simple don't want to get a package of unused stuff.
Thanks for the help guys,
This is daddy
 

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Price List / Supply Check Off List

Welcome to the forums!!!

Just giving you a heads up with what to expect/different options for you.

So far I think i've spent close to $1,000 bucks this past month or two. Thats including all my (brand new) gear and chameleon. I recently upgraded my chams lights, cage, and took him to the vet for a check up. That was another $600 bucks. so roughly $1600 total. But i'm set for ever. Only thing i'd ever have to buy is food for Jasper/feeder insects.

I bought everything individually because some kits didn't come with enough foilage, misters, etc. Plus I was able to buy everything "I" wanted.

I wish was able to get a list like the one i gave you, i wrote it myself. Hopefully I covered everything and got everything. Theres always the option to make things yourself for allot cheaper also buying things used/new from members off the forums, ebay, craigslist (I got some good deals), Thrift stores, homedepots, lowes, etc.

Here's my list i went with:
ScreenShot2012-10-03at73313PM.png


Chameleons: (common types) + (Overnight Shipping Costs are usually around $30-$60)
- Panthers $150-$600(rare)
- Veiled $60-$250

Enclosures:
- Small $40-$60
-Medium $60-$100
-Large/XL $70-$150

Foilage:
- Jungle Vine $10-$15 (usually i buy 4 so, roughly $60 bucks on just jungle vine)
- Cured Branch $10-$20
- Fake Vines $6-$15 (usually i'll buy 2-3, roughly $30 bucks)
- Fake Plants $10-$20 (same as the others)

Lights:
- 18" ReptiSun 5.0 UVB bulb $25-$35
- 20" Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood $25-$40
- 50w-75w ZooMed Basking Light $7-$10
- Flukers/Other Brand 5.5" Clamp Lamp w/ ceramic base $10-$20
- Analog/Digital Timer $7-$30

Lights for an Adult:
- 24" ReptiSun 5.0 UVB bulb $30-$50
- 30" Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood $30-$60
- 50w-75w ZooMed Basking Light $7-$10
- Flukers/Other Brand 10" Clamp Lamp w/ ceramic base $15-$20
- Analog/Digital Timer $7-$30

Enclosure for Sub-Adult/Adult:
-Medium $60-$100
-Large/XL $70-$150 (18" x 18" x 36") or (2' x 2' x 4')

Misters:
- MistKing Starter Mist System $100-$125 (only one i recommend)
- Black 5 Gallon Bucket (Black decreases photosynthesis which allows algae to grow)
- Fishtank heat emitter for 5 gallon bucket (Optional) $10-$25

Analog/Digital Thermostats:
- ZooMed Digital Thermostat w/ Humidity gage $10-$15 ( I personally use 2, one near a basking spot and one wherever)
- ZooMed Analog Thermostat w/ Humidity age $6-$13 (Usually i'll have 1 because they're not as accurate as the digital ones)

Water Drippers:
- ZooMed Little Dripper $10
- ZooMed Big Dripper $12-15
- Home Made - Free

Drainage System: (Usually hand made, used to collect water from mistings)
- PVC pipe build $20-$50
- Large pot saucer $5-$15
- You'll figure it out...

Vitamins:
- Rep-Cal Calcium W/ D3 $6-$10
- Rep-Cal Calcium W/OUT D3 $6-$10
- Rep-Cal Herptivite Multivitamin $6-$10
- Other Vitamins $5-$10

Feeder Insects:
- Crickets $1 for 10 average. I buy 100 at a time so $10 bucks
- Dubia Roaches $.50 cents - $.75 cents each)
- Hornworms $10-$15 excluding shipping
- Silkworms $5-$10 excluding shipping
- Waxworms $5-$10
- Super Worms $5-$10
- Mealworms (not recommended) $5-$8
- Misc. Insects $5-$20 excluding shipping

Feeder Insect Foods (Gutloads):
- Flukers Gut load cubes Green/Orange (highly don't recommend these) $5-$10
- Cricket Crack $10-$30
- DinoFuel $13-$30
- Mixed fruits and veggies (look more into gutloading) $10-$20

Insect Housing:
- Large cricket containers $10-$25
- Large Roach containers $10-$25
 
GabeCastro said:
Welcome to the forums!!!

Just giving you a heads up with what to expect/different options for you.

So far I think i've spent close to $1,000 bucks this past month or two. Thats including all my (brand new) gear and chameleon. I recently upgraded my chams lights, cage, and took him to the vet for a check up. That was another $600 bucks. so roughly $1600 total. But i'm set for ever. Only thing i'd ever have to buy is food for Jasper/feeder insects.

I bought everything individually because some kits didn't come with enough foilage, misters, etc. Plus I was able to buy everything "I" wanted.

I wish was able to get a list like the one i gave you, i wrote it myself. Hopefully I covered everything and got everything. Theres always the option to make things yourself for allot cheaper also buying things used/new from members off the forums, ebay, craigslist (I got some good deals), Thrift stores, homedepots, lowes, etc.

Here's my list i went with:
ScreenShot2012-10-03at73313PM.png


Chameleons: (common types) + (Overnight Shipping Costs are usually around $30-$60)
- Panthers $150-$600(rare)
- Veiled $60-$250

Enclosures:
- Small $40-$60
-Medium $60-$100
-Large/XL $70-$150

Foilage:
- Jungle Vine $10-$15 (usually i buy 4 so, roughly $60 bucks on just jungle vine)
- Cured Branch $10-$20
- Fake Vines $6-$15 (usually i'll buy 2-3, roughly $30 bucks)
- Fake Plants $10-$20 (same as the others)

Lights:
- 18" ReptiSun 5.0 UVB bulb $25-$35
- 20" Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood $25-$40
- 50w-75w ZooMed Basking Light $7-$10
- Flukers/Other Brand 5.5" Clamp Lamp w/ ceramic base $10-$20
- Analog/Digital Timer $7-$30

Lights for an Adult:
- 24" ReptiSun 5.0 UVB bulb $30-$50
- 30" Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood $30-$60
- 50w-75w ZooMed Basking Light $7-$10
- Flukers/Other Brand 10" Clamp Lamp w/ ceramic base $15-$20
- Analog/Digital Timer $7-$30

Enclosure for Sub-Adult/Adult:
-Medium $60-$100
-Large/XL $70-$150 (18" x 18" x 36") or (2' x 2' x 4')

Misters:
- MistKing Starter Mist System $100-$125 (only one i recommend)
- Black 5 Gallon Bucket (Black decreases photosynthesis which allows algae to grow)
- Fishtank heat emitter for 5 gallon bucket (Optional) $10-$25

Analog/Digital Thermostats:
- ZooMed Digital Thermostat w/ Humidity gage $10-$15 ( I personally use 2, one near a basking spot and one wherever)
- ZooMed Analog Thermostat w/ Humidity age $6-$13 (Usually i'll have 1 because they're not as accurate as the digital ones)

Water Drippers:
- ZooMed Little Dripper $10
- ZooMed Big Dripper $12-15
- Home Made - Free

Drainage System: (Usually hand made, used to collect water from mistings)
- PVC pipe build $20-$50
- Large pot saucer $5-$15
- You'll figure it out...

Vitamins:
- Rep-Cal Calcium W/ D3 $6-$10
- Rep-Cal Calcium W/OUT D3 $6-$10
- Rep-Cal Herptivite Multivitamin $6-$10
- Other Vitamins $5-$10

Feeder Insects:
- Crickets $1 for 10 average. I buy 100 at a time so $10 bucks
- Dubia Roaches $.50 cents - $.75 cents each)
- Hornworms $10-$15 excluding shipping
- Silkworms $5-$10 excluding shipping
- Waxworms $5-$10
- Super Worms $5-$10
- Mealworms (not recommended) $5-$8
- Misc. Insects $5-$20 excluding shipping

Feeder Insect Foods (Gutloads):
- Flukers Gut load cubes Green/Orange (highly don't recommend these) $5-$10
- Cricket Crack $10-$30
- DinoFuel $13-$30
- Mixed fruits and veggies (look more into gutloading) $10-$20

Insect Housing:
- Large cricket containers $10-$25
- Large Roach containers $10-$25
Click to expand...

Holy schnikes! You sure know how to scare people away! Lol! :D

I stopped adding my costs a loooong time ago and I only picked up the hobby a year ago. If my wife knew just how much $$ I spend every week she'd be hacked! Always gotta have some "momma don't know money"!! ;)
 
maxttu said:
Holy schnikes! You sure know how to scare people away! Lol! :D

I stopped adding my costs a loooong time ago and I only picked up the hobby a year ago. If my wife knew just how much $$ I spend every week she'd be hacked! Always gotta have some "momma don't know money"!! ;)
Click to expand...

LOL...My girlfriend is already giving me the guilt trip about how much i spend :eek:

But I just wanted to give him a heads up! Look what i got into without knowing ANYTHING haha.

Atleast it'll give him a heads up on what to expect. Make it easier in the long run if he decides to save up for a cham :)
 
GabeCastro said:
LOL...My girlfriend is already giving me the guilt trip about how much i spend :eek:

But I just wanted to give him a heads up! Look what i got into without knowing ANYTHING haha.

Atleast it'll give him a heads up on what to expect. Make it easier in the long run if he decides to save up for a cham :)
Click to expand...

Wait, you can save up first?!? Now I get it!:D
 
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