problem solving in viv

[Trippybudz]

So, creating a live plant enclosure and ran into a snag....I want to put in a mote...I have a ultrasonic mist maker that I can keep a layer of fog settled in the bottom and wanted to have a mote feature, have a tall castle for my Cham to climb and it'd look so sick with the fog coming out of the castle....my only problem is how do I keep the water separated from the substrate?

I have egg crates and hydro balls and egg crates I can use.

 

[Trippybudz]

I should probably specify....by keeping it separate from the water, I mean keeping it from falling into the mote

 

[Extensionofgreen]

There are multiple reasons this is not a good idea with chameleons. Least of all is that chameleons will defecate in the water and it will be a source of bacteria.

 

[Trippybudz]

What would be the multiple reasons other than taking a dump in it? I've thought about that but can problem solve, curious what the other reasons are?

EDIT: the fog needs water to sit in to function, would it be a better idea to fit a dish or cup or something into the egg crates to sit the pump in to change it out while not affecting the water table at the bottom?

I do have a drainage system rigged up if that helps

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Feeders will fall in and drown, even if you clean it, when the chameleon poos in it, too much standing water can lead to URIs, fungal issues, and having substrate is generally not recommend for chameleons, especially with newer keepers.

 

[Trippybudz]

Read where I edited the post, better idea?

 

[Trippybudz]

Also, I'm definitely making this Viv, there's drainage and precautions taken to prevent impaction and harmful bacteria growth, so mainly just looking for answers to my question, thanks for the caution tho

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I'm going to suggest that you read some caresheets on chameleons. Very few want or do well in a vivarium. Glass poses several issues for chameleons. Seeing their reflection can lead to stress, having all that fog and water will lead to wet, stagnant, air and is a recipe for upper respiratory issues. I'm not criticizing you for being inexperienced, but if you don't know how to create a separation between water and the substrate and you don't understand why your proposition is not good for keeping a chameleon, you haven done enough research to attempt a chameleon in a terrarium; much less one that is set up as you described.
If you think I'm going to tell you otherwise because you're going to do it anyway, well I can tell you that no one that knows what they are talking about would recommend what you are suggesting and I'm going to allow you to find that out on your own by letting you get some feedback from either keepers.
You could browse the pinned enclosure threads and see the numerous set-ups and do some research into keeping chameleons and you will come to understand that I'm provinding excellent advice, if your concern is the health of the animals and not the fantastical scene you have your mind set on. If you want to create the terrarium you described, look into animals that belong in that environment. Red eyed croc skinks, firebellied toads, and other amphibious herps. Chameleons do not interact with standing water in their natural habitats 99.999% of the time.

 

[Trippybudz]

I never said it was a glass enclosure. It's mesh 2x2x4 reptibreeze with an added solid bottom for this, nothing will be stagnant, the fog sits on the bottom and there's drainage in place., my question was not how to keep it seperate, it was a problem solving for the mote because it's a little complicated design because I wanted to keep colored stones in there for aesthetics.

Like I said....I know what I'm doing, I just had a quick problem thought someone would have a solution for.

 

[Trippybudz]

Guess the stigma about the CF forums are true....

 

[Nursemaia]

I don't think it is. I was new here a year ago. I joined as a person who had experience but I listened when I asked for advice, and accepted constructive criticism when given. I've found people to be welcoming and yes there have been times I've disagreed with others but people have been respectful of my opinions.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

You start off as new member, give very little information about your enclosure, the animal you intend to keep, or your experience, with a screen name like yours, then get an attitude when the correct advice is not what you want to hear. The forum is what you make of it and you aren't doing a very good job of getting the most from the wealth of knowledge here. Good luck.

 

[Decadancin]

If by the stigma that we want the best for the chameleon needs and not just giving the advice you want to hear, then yes.

I would not see any reason for a moat and fog that would benefit as chameleon.

Many of us started out wanting to do certain things and eventually thought better of it. You will not get too much support for things that do not have the best interest of the animal in mind.

 

[Alexander1]

Most keepers here will look out only for the health of the chameleon, the members feelings are usually secondary but it's only tough love my friend, good luck wit yo mote tho!

 

[WAMBO]

It's not just stagnant water too worry about. Long standing moisture will breed bacteria and mold, which is a concern for health, such as respiratory infections. The use of live plants is encourage to contain/increase moisture.