Question about Humidity

[dalmeltracy]

Hello,
So here's the deal. I have five plants in my veileds enclosure right now, I have a Herpstat ND that controls the temperature on the hot side, a Acurite brand thermometer/hydrometer that monitors on the cool side, I mist 3-4 times a day for about a minute each session (I currently do not have a drain, so the water just sits at the bottom of the enclosure) and I have a humidifer going only when I'm home to monior the humidity level. I still only reach 28% at a high, and it has remained lower than that before the humidifier. I have read on this forum people keep humidifiers on their chams, and some don't because of URI. I was wondering besides an automatic misting system, and a herpstat humidity (to go with the humidifier because I honestly can't afford that system yet!) What else do you guys suggest to keep the humidity up? Should I get two pieces of plexi glass, paint the backs of them black to defer a reflection as much as possible and sick in there? Or should I keep the humidifer on, until it reaches ideal levels? The humidifier is an evaporative, and I was looking at ultrasonic ones, because it takes so damn long to get the levels up. Or is there something else that you would recommend?

 

[Sang]

i use plastic on the back of my cage just one one side.

it holds water on the plastic but still allows air and water to dry out.

 

[opihiman]

Adding the plexiglass should help. You may not have to run it all the entire height of the viv.

Other things that you can do; Mist for longer periods or more often. If most of you plants (leaf and branch coverage) are at the bottom get something taller.

What does you set up look like? Can you post a pic?

HOpe that helps.

OPI

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I wouldn't be concerned about humidity.
I would be more concerned about pooling/standing water on the floor of your enclosure.
Coccidia loves excessive moisture!!!
Forget about the humidifier.
Give the chameleon access to water at all times (ie: dripper) and mist the enclosure a couple of times a day.
And, again, don't worry about humidity levels for a veiled who has water available during the day.

-Brad

 

[jannb]

Important to let your cage dry out between mistings. Put a few small holes in the bottom of your cage with a bucket or pan under your cage to catch the drips. Jann

 

[Ambanja panther mum]

Hi I've been told to put a damp sponge in the bottom of the viv ~ keeps the humidity level up and easy to clean. Also soaks up any excess water from bottom of the viv.
Also soft landing if your cham takes a nose dive

 

[Ambanja panther mum]

Basking heat bulb

I have built two identical vivs for my panther chameleons. But at the moment i am only using one of them as the chams are only 4months old at the moment so housed together. However the viv without the basking heat bulb on, the humidity level stays alot higher 70~75 but the viv they are currently in drops down to 58~65. Which has a UV light on for 12hrs and basking light on 24hrs. Any ideas why this would be?
I had both these vivs set up for a couple of weeks (without basking light or uv light on) before putting my babies in and the humidity stayed up well in the 70's all the time.
I live in the UK and as its nearly Nov its getting pretty cold so don't want to risk turning the basking light off at night.
Looking for some advise please.
Thanks

 

[jannb]

You do not need nor is it good to use a basking light at night. If it's cold......below 65 in your house at night get a ceramic bulb to use at night. It needs to be dark in the cage at night. What's your basking temperature? It can get really hot in glass. You have to be very careful. At 4 months it about time to have seperate cages for your guys. Jann

 

[Ambanja panther mum]

Hi Jann,

Thanks for your quick reply!
What is a ceramic light? Sorry am new to the chameleon world.
I was advised by my reptile shop when purchasing my babies to have the basking light on 24hrs. It is set on a diming thermostat which i have set at 84 in the day and turn down to 80 at night. Again as i was advised in reptile shop.
So far they seem to be doing fine at this, but have i been misadvised?
They are eating and drinking fine, but have not yet,nor showing any signs of shedding. Despite growing quite abit in the 4wks i've had them.
They are only approx 5inchs from nose to tip of tail and seem to get on fine, brought them as a breeding pair, which is why i am still housing them together at the mo. I planned to seperate them in the next month or so.
There new viv's are 3 1/2 foot high and 1 1/2 foot wide with only glass on the front, wooden sides and mesh top. And they look sooooo little in there at the moment, again which is why i kept them together.
I appreiciate any advise and tips, as i said i'm new to the chameleon world.
But i'm trying very hard and reading lots in order to keep them as happy as possible.
Thanks Sarah

 

[jannb]

Hi Jann,

Thanks for your quick reply!
What is a ceramic light? Sorry am new to the chameleon world.
I was advised by my reptile shop when purchasing my babies to have the basking light on 24hrs. It is set on a diming thermostat which i have set at 84 in the day and turn down to 80 at night. Again as i was advised in reptile shop.
So far they seem to be doing fine at this, but have i been misadvised?
They are eating and drinking fine, but have not yet,nor showing any signs of shedding. Despite growing quite abit in the 4wks i've had them.
They are only approx 5inchs from nose to tip of tail and seem to get on fine, brought them as a breeding pair, which is why i am still housing them together at the mo. I planned to seperate them in the next month or so.
There new viv's are 3 1/2 foot high and 1 1/2 foot wide with only glass on the front, wooden sides and mesh top. And they look sooooo little in there at the moment, again which is why i kept them together.
I appreiciate any advise and tips, as i said i'm new to the chameleon world.
But i'm trying very hard and reading lots in order to keep them as happy as possible.
Thanks Sarah

Sarah; You might want to start your own thread and let all the members here give you advice on how to keep your babies healthy and happy. If you'll fill in the questions below we will all try to give you advice. It would be best to start a new thread so everyone will see it. You can just get a ceramic bulb to fit in your fixture. I buy most of my chameleon needs at www.lllreptile.com
Jann
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage construction (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and type of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Location - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

 

[dalmeltracy]

Reading over my post from earlier....I miss informed you alittle. The water does go to the bottom of the enclosure, however it dries up before the next misting (even with misting 3-4 times a day.) Four of the five plants are at or just below 1 foot high, I didn't honestly think about that until you mentioned it, and the Ficus is about 3' tall. I actually just purchased some more plants, hoping that may raise the levels alittle bit, plus give him some more cover. After I clean them, I'll let you know what the humidity is at....and maybe I'll have to go and buy a peice or two of plexi. I'll post pics tomorrow also.

 

[dalmeltracy]

This is Rod's enclosure. I removed two of the plants last night....

 

[jannb]

I think he needs more branches to climb on. Jann