Semi-Newb Habitat Questions

[jsharai]

I originally posted and told of my situation. I have a vieled female(Magrathea) that was given to me and I've been keeping in a 45 gallon aquarium. She replaced the dragon that a family member accidentally sent to an early end. Said family member also brought "Maggie" as a peace offering. But I was set up for dragon.

So, first I changed the tank environment. Removed the calcium sand and put Zilla carpet down, generously placed fake ivy around Fluker "vine" and placed a Pothos and the dragon's piece of driftwood down. I continued to use the basking lamp and the ReptiGlo 10.0 compact moved to the far side of the tank and with the fakes arranged for plenty of shade when she wants it. It looks to be unkind to the Pothos. I have a Mist'r Lizard mister/dripper. A lockable manual pump that has a long tube attached to an adjustable mister end.

No, since I probably violated all forum rules by multiple topics in one post, I forge on...

I just got my "DIY Cages" 18" x 18" x 36" screen cage. It is stupendous in my book and at $60 shipped, it was a great deal. I assembled it easily. I'm picking up my light hood, a Zoo Med 20"Combination Hood, this afternoon. It has a Reptisun T-8 5.0 linear, a ZM 60W Day Blue bulb and a ZM 60W Red heat night bulb. I also have the 75W basking bulb in a separate Fluker fixture.

I can transfer the vines and fakes to the new cage. I'm going to pick up a Ficus this afternoon on my run.

Q1 - Misting. How long should I mist her? I ask because I've seen auto misters that set for 30 seconds every three hours and books that say mist over her on the leaves for at least four minutes. I'm satisfied with the manual system and am able to handle the frequency... if I only knew the amount and frequency. I believe the mister nozzle is 0.5 GPH. And should I place it's flow over the live plant?

Q2 - Substrate & runoff. Should I get the bark substrate for the floor of the cage, the terrarium carpet or should I provide for drainage? This, again, depends on the amount of misting that is recommended. It is an indoor setup.

Thanks for your patience.

Jes

 

[Mommynov07]

have you noticed a big change in her when you switched cages? i have a veiled chameleon, i have had him for three days and i am soo scared that he is stressed out about his reflection i dont know how to tell if he is stressed or not...do you have any tips??

 

[pssh]

Mist for 1-5 minutes depending on your humidity needs. Do not use bark I drill four holes on the bottom of the PVC floor and raise the cage then put a tub under. That way the water always drains and the whole cage remains clean. Don't use a red bulb even at night. Compacts aren't recommended and I suggest you use a linear bulb, though a reptisun compact made after 01-09 is considered safe (any before that and it could blind your chameleon or burn her.)

 

[Mommynov07]

I have been looking at night bulbs for my veiled chameleon and i was wondering why you say not to use a red bulb.
Thank you

 

[jsharai]

+1 on the red bulb. What's wrong with using a red bulb?

 

[pssh]

Chameleons can see the red and it disturbs their sleep. Plus you do not need any night time heat for a veiled unless the temp drops below 50 degrees F at night. If you do need any night time heat a space heater would be your best option, a ceramic bulb would be your next best option.

 

[jsharai]

Thanks, Pssh! But it looks like it's back to square one. The lighting setup I ordered from LLLReptiles was delivered to my shop in a large shopping center, as I requested. Only problem was that the genius FEDEX driver delivered it at 7PM; an hour after we close. Tracking report shows that they left it at the door. How much sense does it take to leave a box marked "reptiles" at the door of a paintball shop in a large shopping center after dark? After driving like a maniac the 25 miles back and getting there at 8PM, alas... someone got themselves a nice new combination hood/lamps setup and it wasn't me. FEDEX will have someone contact me tomorrow. boy am i jumping for joy...

Thanks for the info, though. I've been leaving the basking lamp on very low (dimmer switch). Now I'll know to turn it completely off...

 

[jsharai]

Ok, lighting issues finally solved. Initial cage design together with Maggie inside and having fun. Misting system and drainage to be this weekend. Pics below. Thansk for the assistance. I'm sure I'll be back for more...

Happy Chammy!