Reptisun 5.0 18"

[kirekameleon]

I just got this yesterday and I have it above my screen. My screen does not seem that small, but should I try to figure a way to get the light inside the enclosure so nothing is filtered. $20 bulb I would like to get the full effects.

 

[mbondy]

I just got this yesterday and I have it above my screen. My screen does not seem that small, but should I try to figure a way to get the light inside the enclosure so nothing is filtered. $20 bulb I would like to get the full effects.

Seems ok and looks ok as is but others will chime in. You can't put the light inside or your cham could burn itself.
However, you'll setup needs work. Remove the substrate, your chameleon could accidentally digest the substrate and choke or have some sort of blockage. Also you really need a big live plant where he can hide, right now he'll feel super exposed.

 

[DeviousMike]

On top is fine. The light will penetrate a foot or so down at least.

 

[Thompson]

No, all fixtures should be above the screen so the chameleon cannot burn itself. Like the previous person said, you need to fix a few things in your setup in order for your chameleon to be happy and so you don't run into more problems down the road. Just in case there are a few more problems that we can help you with you should fill out https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[chamzilla91]

Most of us here let the uvb go through the screen. Just make sure the chameleon can get within 8 inches of the light bulb. You should remove the substrate but there isn't a big risk of choking, more likely would be that the substrate gets ingested and it impacts the intestines which can lead to death or may need surgery. Deffinately get a big bushy schefflera arboricola, pothos, hibiscus, or ficus benjamina plant for the cage and repot them with organic soil

 

[kirekameleon]

Thank You

I am working on the plant, next week, something like a ficus benjamina and I have pothos growing in the substrate. I understand the concern with the substrate, I will think about it; it is the Eco Earth (ZooMed) and I have it compact and will make sure it stays compacted enough. I will have a feeder bowl up high. Thank you!

kire

 

[mbondy]

I am working on the plant, next week, something like a ficus benjamina and I have pothos growing in the substrate. I understand the concern with the substrate, I will think about it; it is the Eco Earth (ZooMed) and I have it compact and will make sure it stays compacted enough. I will have a feeder bowl up high. Thank you!

kire

Honestly, you should really remove the substrate without a doubt. Even if you have it compact you can't control whether your cham may digest some or not. You can always put newspaper on the bottom for easier clean-up. It's a lot cheaper and easier just to remove the substrate then having your cham either die or need surgery.