please help I'm new have questions

[rambonerzilla]

So two weeks ago I got the veiled chameleon bug and went straight to work researching and building the habitat (a project for my 10 year old daughter and I) we decided on a female. So for starters I built the cage out of select pine and aluminum screen. The specs are 14.5" x 17.5" x 20.5" tall. I housed it with sheffalera, pothos, dracena, and spider plants. Used live oak branches debarked for the other climbing options for her. Then I purchased a air innovations ultra sonic cool mist humidifier that I found on close 5 for 15 dollars (retail 95 dollars) rigged it up with pvc and ducted it into the top of the cage. Using one 20 watts uvb bulb and that's it.... do I need anything else that anyone can see? Oh and I have a tank beside it with 1 month old betta fry (about 60 of them) does anyone think this will be an issue for stress? I had the idea originally to give her something to visually stimulate her when she might be bored.... I haven't seen her try to strike at them so far.... but idk. Any and all feedback welcome and appreciated. Thanks for having me just joined yesterday

 

[ChamomilleCame]

The enclosure looks a bit small. For female veileds, it's recommended to have a 18x18x36 at minimum. Of course, she isn't fully grown (as far as I can see with the picture) so a larger cage is going to be needed within a couple of months, maybe less. How old is she? Or what size is she?
For the lighting, you need a UVB and a basking light for heat. You have to measure the basking temps for the chameleon. For females, it's lower so that they don't produce a large amount of eggs. Speaking of eggs, you have to be prepared when she is going to lay them. For that, you need a laying bin with soil or washed playsand. I've never had a female, but you can search laying bin methods on here.
They don't exactly get bored, they are solitary reptiles. Other animals could stress her out.
I personally don't think you need a humidifier for a veiled unless you live in an extremely dry place (like the SW of the US). It's better to spray the cage and measure the humidity. 55% at the driest part of the day, 60-70% most times, and up to 80-85% when you mist. Constant high humidity can cause an upper respiratory infection.

 

[Randall-the-Chameleon]

Congrats on your new chameleon! Your cage looks like a chameleon would enjoy it besides the fact it is to small for a grown female veild. 24•24•36 is a good cage size but bigger is always better. She might try to strike at the betta, I would A. Put a simple border between the cages.(paper or something) B. Block most of the charms view of the tank ( or border ) with plants.
Good luck!

 

[Randall-the-Chameleon]

I meant to type 18•18•36

 

[melble68]

make sure you make a purchase of a IR temp gun. you want to make sure that her basking temps are at the perfect temp for veileds where she sits to bask. Point the temp gun right on her back when she's under the basking light. Read all the care sheets in the Resources tab for veileds. Having to high of basking temps can cause a female to produce infertile eggs.

The link to Lowes is an example of what you should look for.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Too...8-1-Professional-Infrared-Thermometer/3136869

 

[rambonerzilla]

Ok so I got an ir temp gun (ryobi from home depot. ... like 29$) and added another lamp... so now I have a 13 watt 25 uvb bulb and a 20 watt featherbrite full spectrum bulb. The featherbrite is showing 96 as the temp on the outside of the reflecting lamp and the zilla 13 uvb bulb is at 88 on the outside of the lamp. On her favorite pirch it reads 84 and on her right now it is reading 89. I have the featherbrite on the top and the uvb on the side about 4 inches from her basking spot. Is this too close? Oh I do plan to upgrade her to a bigger cage with in the next 3 months (already planning the build!) Any feedback? Oh and she is about 6 inches long give or take a little. Not sure her age anyone have an estimate on that

 

[rambonerzilla]

make sure you make a purchase of a IR temp gun. you want to make sure that her basking temps are at the perfect temp for veileds where she sits to bask. Point the temp gun right on her back when she's under the basking light. Read all the care sheets in the Resources tab for veileds. Having to high of basking temps can cause a female to produce infertile eggs.

The link to Lowes is an example of what you should look for.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Too...8-1-Professional-Infrared-Thermometer/3136869

 

[alphakenc]

Not sure her age anyone have an estimate on that

She is around 3month old its ok in that small cage for now,as soon she gets about 5month old u will need 2thing ....bigger cage set up n a laying bin for her,Pretty crafty cage u build n good shopping strategy.
Drop that temp down on 85F max,go with some smaller wattage bulb if u can,as now she is still a baby.

 

[rambonerzilla]

She is around 3month old its ok in that small cage for now,as soon she gets about 5month old u will need 2thing ....bigger cage set up n a laying bin for her,Pretty crafty cage u build n good shopping strategy.
Drop that temp down on 85F max,go with some smaller wattage bulb if u can,as now she is still a baby.

I am seriously thinking about building a 20x20x48 cage for her do you think that would be too big..... oh and ok if it's too hot with that temp... do you think I should just run the 13 watt uvb bulb for now for her age.... I purchased her at petsmart and the lady I spoke to cared for her herself since she was the only one there who owned a veiled cham.... she said she had been there for about two months..... it was sad they had her in this tiny cage definitely tiny compared to this first of a few I plan to build ( literally like 1/5 of the space). Anyways yeah I might have got side tracked.....

 

[alphakenc]

I am seriously thinking about building a 20x20x48 cage for her do you think that would be too big..... oh and ok if it's too hot with that temp... do you think I should just run the 13 watt uvb bulb for now for her age.... I purchased her at petsmart and the lady I spoke to cared for her herself since she was the only one there who owned a veiled cham.... she said she had been there for about two months..... it was sad they had her in this tiny cage definitely tiny compared to this first of a few I plan to build ( literally like 1/5 of the space). Anyways yeah I might have got side tracked.....

It will never be too big for her when she is older 5month up....u can drop the temperature down by using a less watts heating light bulb,since uvb doesnt really puts out much heat at all its the heat bulb that put out the heat u can use a regular house light bulb,OR drop down the distance on the branch so her basking spot wont near as hot as close to the heat source plus she wont be risk to get burn by the heat lamp.

 

[alphakenc]

If that heat lamp was the clamping one on the white pipe,then u dont have to worry about the burn since it has no contact on ur cage screen with her,and when u replace the uvb light bulb,get a linear long tube one,its way better as long u can replace it every 6month for their effectiveness on the Uvb ray for ur cham.

 

[rambonerzilla]

The heat lamp/ featherbrite bulb was the top one but since then a few hours I've went and bought another lamp and bulb.... now I have the uvb bulb still on the side and a 9watt Walmart great value bulb led bulb as my heat source it's putting out 87°f .... she is reading 84 degrees basking.... feedback? Let me know

 

[rambonerzilla]

If that heat lamp was the clamping one on the white pipe,then u dont have to worry about the burn since it has no contact on ur cage screen with her,and when u replace the uvb light bulb,get a linear long tube one,its way better as long u can replace it every 6month for their effectiveness on the Uvb ray for ur cham.

Just tried to fix it what do you think

 

[rambonerzilla]

I moved the featherbrite full spectrum to the fish tank

 

[alphakenc]

Just tried to fix it what do you think

I think is fine since she is not a set of statute will stay under that basking spot all the time ,as long the other area are much cooler then that heat spot,then u are good,do watch her poops since u want her to be hydrated all the time in that cage.

 

[alphakenc]

I moved the featherbrite full spectrum to the fish tank

Did u do as other suggested,use a visual blocker in between the fish tank and her cage just in case she get stressed.

 

[rambonerzilla]

Did u do as other suggested,use a visual blocker in between the fish tank and her cage just in case she get stressed.

Cutting the visual blocker to size as we speak.... another thing.... how dark does it have to be when light out for her ( the chameleon)my daughter doesn't turn off her lights till normally 10 I have the lights in the habitat set to 630 am till 830 pm and plenty of places for her to hide in virtually darkness at all times. So I guess what I'm asking is will my daughters main light or TV be an issue with where the habitat is now

 

[alphakenc]

Cutting the visual blocker to size as we speak.... another thing.... how dark does it have to be when light out for her ( the chameleon)my daughter doesn't turn off her lights till normally 10 I have the lights in the habitat set to 630 am till 830 pm and plenty of places for her to hide in virtually darkness at all times. So I guess what I'm asking is will my daughters main light or TV be an issue with where the habitat is now

As long is not a very bright direct lighting towards her cage,u can always put a dark drape or towel on the night time ,if the light source are interrupting her sleeping cycle.

 

[MeruJack]

I have the lights in the habitat set to 630 am till 830 pm

She needs 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. For example, 8:30 am - 8:30 pm lights on then 8:30 pm - 8:30 am lights off.

Here is a good resource for everything "Veiled" https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

What did you (&/or your daughter) decide to name her?

 

[guanagator]

She looks good, nice job on the build. Bigger is always better when you decide to upgrade, they will make use of the space and the bigger the enclosure the more microclimates you can create for her to always have a happy spot. I would switch to a linear 5.0 UVB or Arcadia 6% bulb.