panther chameleon setup question

[jasonfrost94]

Hi guys! New to this forum and need some advise if possible. I'm due to get my blue nosy be in around 2-3 weeks but want to make sure my set up is ok and there is a couple of questions I would like to ask.
so here is my set up so far.
18x18x24 exo terra
exo terra glow light with uvb 150
compact canopy with 50w daylight basking
vines
branches
ficus tree
2 digital thermometers
hydrometer.
I know this is a small viv but its just while its a baby then I will get a bigger one with a misting system and everything else. so here's a few questions.

1.are these bulbs ok? ive been told the 150 uvb will be fine for when I get a bigger vivarium aswell.

2. wheres the best place to place the hydrometer?

3. is no substrate better as I got orchid bark with the tank but not heard good things about it as the cham can swallow it? our paper towels better?

4.how do you drain a glass viv without drilling holes?

any help and feed back with be greatly appreciated thanks Jason.

 

[jpowell86]

Hello.

1. Choose bulbs that give you the best temps for your specific cham. The 50w bulb may be enough heat...but it may not be. You will need to measure the temp and increase wattage as needed to reach the proper basking temp. Being a young panther, a basking temp of 85 will be plenty...especially in an exo terra terrarium. If the UVB bulb you are referring to is the Sun-Glo by exo terra, remember that this bulb doubles as a basking bulb also. So you may be generating too much heat for a glass enclosure. I would suggest getting a linear 5.0 uvb bulb. This will put the necessary uvb throughout the entire enclosure instead of a centralized area. I like to keep each lighting parameter separate.

2. I believe you are referring to a hygrometer....not unless you are in to specific gravity..I'm just poking at you, lol. You will want to place this in a central
location inside the enclosure.

3. I don't want to say that no substrate is better than having it or vice versa. It all depends upon your level of experience. Definitely do not go with orchid bark.
You don't want substrates that can be eaten or hold too much moisture. If you are going to use a substrate, go with an organic soil and make sure and cover
the entire enclosure with large river rock so that there is no accidental or purposeful ingestion(young chams can be weird). I have seen some people use
hydroballs below the bottom layer of soil for maintain excess water. Just a thought. If you are new to chams, I would suggest a bare bottom that you can wipe
down daily and sanitize once a month.

4. You will not be able to create a proper drainage system inside a exo terra. Especially since most glass enclosures have tempered bottoms....drilling is out.
You can place paper towels at the bottom to soak up excess moisture. Just make sure to remove daily.

Enclosure debates will be forever going. 18x18x24 is too small. I see you are upgrading the size, so make that the first priority. I like exo terra for some of my montane species, but I do not like them for Panther Chameleons. Not saying you can't make it work right now. It can definitely be a more controlled environment as far as humidity is concerned, but issues like drainage and proper air flow are why most keepers prefer screen enclosures. I would complete the setup and use it as you would if the cham were already in it. Take measurements at certain times and keep track of your numbers. Just make sure that all the finagling is done prior to him showing up so that you are not playing with husbandry variables while he is in your care. Good luck and please post some pics of your finished enclosure.

 

[NickyChameleon]

Hello.

1. Choose bulbs that give you the best temps for your specific cham. The 50w bulb may be enough heat...but it may not be. You will need to measure the temp and increase wattage as needed to reach the proper basking temp. Being a young panther, a basking temp of 85 will be plenty...especially in an exo terra terrarium. If the UVB bulb you are referring to is the Sun-Glo by exo terra, remember that this bulb doubles as a basking bulb also. So you may be generating too much heat for a glass enclosure. I would suggest getting a linear 5.0 uvb bulb. This will put the necessary uvb throughout the entire enclosure instead of a centralized area. I like to keep each lighting parameter separate.

2. I believe you are referring to a hygrometer....not unless you are in to specific gravity..I'm just poking at you, lol. You will want to place this in a central
location inside the enclosure.

3. I don't want to say that no substrate is better than having it or vice versa. It all depends upon your level of experience. Definitely do not go with orchid bark.
You don't want substrates that can be eaten or hold too much moisture. If you are going to use a substrate, go with an organic soil and make sure and cover
the entire enclosure with large river rock so that there is no accidental or purposeful ingestion(young chams can be weird). I have seen some people use
hydroballs below the bottom layer of soil for maintain excess water. Just a thought. If you are new to chams, I would suggest a bare bottom that you can wipe
down daily and sanitize once a month.

4. You will not be able to create a proper drainage system inside a exo terra. Especially since most glass enclosures have tempered bottoms....drilling is out.
You can place paper towels at the bottom to soak up excess moisture. Just make sure to remove daily.

Enclosure debates will be forever going. I like exo terra for some of my montane species, but I do not like them for Panther Chameleons. Not saying you can't make it work right now. It can definitely be a more controlled environment as far as humidity is concerned, but issues like drainage and proper air flow are why most keepers prefer screen enclosures. I would complete the setup and use it as you would if the cham were already in it. Take measurements at certain times and keep track of your numbers. Just make sure that all the finagling is done prior to him showing up so that you are not playing with husbandry variables while he is in your care. Good luck and please post some pics of your finished enclosure.

Uhhhhh.... that isn't going to work. The cage. I have the same one, and I'm changing it as soon as possible.

 

[jpowell86]

Uhhhhh.... that isn't going to work. The cage. I have the same one, and I'm changing it as soon as possible.

That is why I made various points throughout the reply stating that the cage wasn't optimal. It would be even less optimal for your female veiled that I have read so much about. The fact that she requires a 12 inch deep laying bin would only leave her a 12 inch vertical area to climb. I hope you make that change soon.

 

[jasonfrost94]

Hello.

1. Choose bulbs that give you the best temps for your specific cham. The 50w bulb may be enough heat...but it may not be. You will need to measure the temp and increase wattage as needed to reach the proper basking temp. Being a young panther, a basking temp of 85 will be plenty...especially in an exo terra terrarium. If the UVB bulb you are referring to is the Sun-Glo by exo terra, remember that this bulb doubles as a basking bulb also. So you may be generating too much heat for a glass enclosure. I would suggest getting a linear 5.0 uvb bulb. This will put the necessary uvb throughout the entire enclosure instead of a centralized area. I like to keep each lighting parameter separate.

2. I believe you are referring to a hygrometer....not unless you are in to specific gravity..I'm just poking at you, lol. You will want to place this in a central
location inside the enclosure.

3. I don't want to say that no substrate is better than having it or vice versa. It all depends upon your level of experience. Definitely do not go with orchid bark.
You don't want substrates that can be eaten or hold too much moisture. If you are going to use a substrate, go with an organic soil and make sure and cover
the entire enclosure with large river rock so that there is no accidental or purposeful ingestion(young chams can be weird). I have seen some people use
hydroballs below the bottom layer of soil for maintain excess water. Just a thought. If you are new to chams, I would suggest a bare bottom that you can wipe
down daily and sanitize once a month.

4. You will not be able to create a proper drainage system inside a exo terra. Especially since most glass enclosures have tempered bottoms....drilling is out.
You can place paper towels at the bottom to soak up excess moisture. Just make sure to remove daily.

Enclosure debates will be forever going. 18x18x24 is too small. I see you are upgrading the size, so make that the first priority. I like exo terra for some of my montane species, but I do not like them for Panther Chameleons. Not saying you can't make it work right now. It can definitely be a more controlled environment as far as humidity is concerned, but issues like drainage and proper air flow are why most keepers prefer screen enclosures. I would complete the setup and use it as you would if the cham were already in it. Take measurements at certain times and keep track of your numbers. Just make sure that all the finagling is done prior to him showing up so that you are not playing with husbandry variables while he is in your care. Good luck and please post some pics of your finished enclosure.

Hello.

1. Choose bulbs that give you the best temps for your specific cham. The 50w bulb may be enough heat...but it may not be. You will need to measure the temp and increase wattage as needed to reach the proper basking temp. Being a young panther, a basking temp of 85 will be plenty...especially in an exo terra terrarium. If the UVB bulb you are referring to is the Sun-Glo by exo terra, remember that this bulb doubles as a basking bulb also. So you may be generating too much heat for a glass enclosure. I would suggest getting a linear 5.0 uvb bulb. This will put the necessary uvb throughout the entire enclosure instead of a centralized area. I like to keep each lighting parameter separate.

2. I believe you are referring to a hygrometer....not unless you are in to specific gravity..I'm just poking at you, lol. You will want to place this in a central
location inside the enclosure.

3. I don't want to say that no substrate is better than having it or vice versa. It all depends upon your level of experience. Definitely do not go with orchid bark.
You don't want substrates that can be eaten or hold too much moisture. If you are going to use a substrate, go with an organic soil and make sure and cover
the entire enclosure with large river rock so that there is no accidental or purposeful ingestion(young chams can be weird). I have seen some people use
hydroballs below the bottom layer of soil for maintain excess water. Just a thought. If you are new to chams, I would suggest a bare bottom that you can wipe
down daily and sanitize once a month.

4. You will not be able to create a proper drainage system inside a exo terra. Especially since most glass enclosures have tempered bottoms....drilling is out.
You can place paper towels at the bottom to soak up excess moisture. Just make sure to remove daily.

Enclosure debates will be forever going. 18x18x24 is too small. I see you are upgrading the size, so make that the first priority. I like exo terra for some of my montane species, but I do not like them for Panther Chameleons. Not saying you can't make it work right now. It can definitely be a more controlled environment as far as humidity is concerned, but issues like drainage and proper air flow are why most keepers prefer screen enclosures. I would complete the setup and use it as you would if the cham were already in it. Take measurements at certain times and keep track of your numbers. Just make sure that all the finagling is done prior to him showing up so that you are not playing with husbandry variables while he is in your care. Good luck and please post some pics of your finished enclosure.

 

[jasonfrost94]

These are the bulbs that I have.. I was worried someone was going to say it was too small to really keep him in, I've got the money waiting to get a bigger when but was brought this one as a present and thought it would be a good starter for a baby, I just want the best for him. Thank you for answering all my questions with enough detail, it has cleared a lot up for me that I couldnt find researching. Also I've been told I could use branches from the woods/garden? Guessing I would boil this or maybe bake them in the oven for a while? Could I use any wood? Do I peal the bark off it?