preparing for a chameleon

[dmscats]

I want to get everything set up before I get onel

I have seen lots of conflicting things.

review:

95 basking, 50 watt (one or two), 5.0 uvb, 30 watt glow if I want night temp not under 65, 50% humidity

dripper

mister

thermometer and theomostate (what is best brand)

zilla 24/7 dual analog timer power system (has anyone had any experience with them?

lso I saw something that controls both humidity and temperature, very exspensive

.5 UVB

50 watts each for basking, do I use 2?

Day light incandescent full spectrum light (what wattage)
I like the ones with a hood on them. They have a spot for two bulbs. which 2 would I use?

Do I need a mister, a sprayer, a fogger and a humidifier?
What is the best brand of humidifier do I use?,
i saw mistking rated high for mister.

Biggest question: I have never read or heard anything about drainage. please tell me the most simple way to do it. Can I still use the reptile mat in the bottom or would that block the drainage.

I hope I'm on the right track.

All comments will be appreciated

 

[ReptiGeek]

Just want to quickly ask, what type of chameleon do you plan on getting?

 

[dmscats]

thank you for responding, a veiled, I heard it is a good one to start with. I have had a uromali before, he was strictly dry heat. I have always wanted one and now I have the time, I will be able to be home all day to take good care of him. Like I said I won't get one until I am positive it is set up to satisfaction. I lve in Michigan and am not sure where I will get him from. The one I have been watching seems to be active, colorful and crawls right out on your hand, but I went in yesterday and they said his one eye is now closed for 3 days. Not sure now, it looks fine just shut. But back you your question it will be a male veiled, didn't want the egg problems I hear about.

 

[ReptiGeek]

Veiled's are great starters.
Basking for a youth veiled: 90F (adults can tolerate hotter temperatures, 95F)
Only needs one basking spot as they will need a gradient of temperatures in case they want to escape to a cooler region.
You'll need a digital thermometer/ hygrometer. You can find these at your local hardware store for a lot cheaper than the pet stores $35 Exo Terra ones.
-Humidity: 55-65% average should be fine
-5.0 UVB tube works great. Some say go 10.0 if you're shining through thicker screen (I use 10.0 UVB with no problems).
If you're using a fluorescent fixture for two bulbs you can also put in a plant grow light so that you can have live plants flourish. I use live plants and they do fine without a grow light.
-Mistkings are great misters however not essential. Automatic misters are recommended for those using large screen enclosures, however if you hand mist 2-3 times a day and keep the humidity appropriate, you do not need one. That being said, you WILL need a dripper as a source of water. You can purchase a Littler Dripper or Big Dripper online for $10 and they do the job.
-Drainage: If you are using a screen enclosure, the bottom will either have a piece of plastic or will be screen (if it's plastic drill some holes into it as if it were a drain). Place a tote or rubbermaid bin underneath the enclosure so that your mistings and dripper will drain into this bin (fairly straight forward).
-Do not use a nighttime bulb to keep the temperature up. If you drop far below 65F then use a ceramic heat emitter but make sure it does not get too hot. Veileds need a temperature drop at night to stimulate the wild. It slows their metabolism down, which is essential. Veiled can handle temperature drops down to the low 50's and will be okay so long as they have warmth when they wake up.

Hope this helps.
Do your research and you'll do just fine.

 

[dmscats]

new cage

thank you so much you made it very simple to understand it all. My cage does have like this white plastic bottom, so we can drill holes into it. I bought a wooden tray to set the cage in, not knowing i needed drainage. I also bought him this beautiful high set table for him to put it all on. Hate to do it but it looks like we will have to drill a hole thru the top of the table if the tray wont hold the water. Thank you again.

 

[dmscats]

I just printed it out to keep it.

 

[MCSEB]

Hey!
Glad to hear that you're going to be getting yourself another cham. Here is everything you need to know about veiled chameleons. If you want to do what I did, just print this out read through it and high light the important things. Trust me it's going to help you out a lot! Also there is a part 2. It's on the bottom of the caresheet. I hope this helps

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html