Set up questions

[chamB]

I'm siked. Im ordering a 4 month old male Panther soon from Kammers. Being a first time Cham owner I want to purchase the best high quality and sufficient set up. Should I order a set up kit from Kammers or get my own set up separately? I'm hoping to buy the basics once. LLL has Cham set up kits but I'm not sure of the quality. A list of high quality items I need to buy would be great to find. Please message me your expertise. Thanks.

 

[Kiwiflage]

Welcome to the forum. This is definitely the place to find the answers to your questions. This link has everything you can possibly (and can't) think of.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

Hope this helps!

 

[chamB]

Thanks. I already read that & other basics on chams alot lately. Im Just not sure what cage is best (doesn't rust) and misting equip, lighting etc is best. Kammers set up is pricey but if its high quality for the basics Ill buy it. Curious how many people have a kammer set up and how it is. I know LLL has Cham set ups for cheaper but how is the quality? If I were to buy everything separate where is a list of what I need?? Thanks

 

[juice28]

WADUP!!!!...nothing wrong wit getting a kit from a breeder, it has everything you need to get started.

i debated on getting a kit but i found everything individually for cheaper...and since i figured id be getting the big cages in about 6 mths to a year, i wanted stuff that i could change over to my big cages as well. Def check out the link in the previous post. and what the "best" can be different for each person and set up. for example, ficus are one of the most popular live plants to add but i have much better luck keeping camellia plants and hibiscus plants...they just do really well where i live.

im no pro at this but i say search the site. the actual search feature is great look up cages, water etc etc. theres a ton of pictures of things that others have done that may fit you. Make sue that your set up FIRST though and everything is right for your new family member. you dont want to get him and then get a light and realize its way to big or small or too long for the dome or your plants (real or fake) arent enough to fill up the cage like you want so now you have to re-set it up (i know thats not a word lol) or you didnt even think about drainage before you set it up and you give a good misting and/or run a driper only to have it run out of the cage onto the carpet lol

 

[chamB]

Thanks Juice. Lol wassup. I just wanna get it right for my new Cham. This is not an impulse buy I have had turtles frogs and iguanas but this is my first Cham. I'm unfamiliar w Cham cages etc, but will do more research and keep reading this great helpful forum and books from the library. I just don't want to buy it all again when I get a bigger cage Peace out

 

[juice28]

yea lol i didnt want to do that either .. i started with the med reptibreezes i do have a small one for my baby panther though but shes...7ish weeks now so shes till tiny, yea jsut do some homework and youll get more than enough info on proper set ups. happy hunting and post pics!! lol oh what type of cham are you getting? you said panther right? what locale?

 

[DanSB]

Well, I'm not sure what either company has in their kits but if you're looking for the best, or just sufficient would make a difference. There are things you can skimp on and save money and still have the best where it matters.

- UVB bulb: don't go cheap. The major brand linear florescent uvbs are the standard choice and are good.
- basking bulb: any incandescent bulb is fine and what most use
- light fixtures: any fixture from a hardware / home store ul rated for the bulb is fine. A lot of money is saved here.
- misting: aquazamp or mistking are good automatic options, if you have time a squirt bottle works or a pump hand sprayer. The ones at HomeDepot are about 4 bucks cheaper than the zoo med ones and even though they look cheaper seem to be more durable.
- cage furniture: live plants. And to add a little more I like the fake vines but sticks from the yard(properly cleaned) and dowels are cheaper and work just as well.
- cage: I've had a zoo med reptibreeze sitting in the yard for a year. Fading but no rust. I've heard the old DIY cages rust but the new ones are supposed to be awesome. The eco terra screen cages aren't sturdy, and I've heard the ones lol sells are pretty good. If you're getting a baby plan to buy 2 cages but buy a uvb fixture big enough for the future 2x2x4. I personally will only build my own but you really don't save a lot of money that way.
- hygrometer and thermometer: do not skimp, get a digital,zoomeds dual purpose does both and seems to work well. Also it is good to invest in temperature gun. A good one from home depot will be fine.

I don't think I left out anything vital...

 

[Psychobunny]

You cant go wrong buying from either place.
Kammer's and 3L's are both top notch

 

[chamB]

Thanks Dan! You hit the nail on the head! Really appreciate everyone's time in responding. I will absorb all the great info I will def. post pics once I get my Nosy Be!

 

[DanSB]

You cant go wrong buying from either place.
Kammer's and 3L's are both top notch

I would agree when talking about Kammer's chameleons, and to a certain extent lll's animals are better than many.

Their set up kits aren't good.

Lll uses reptariums and they come with moss. Kammers has a nice cage at least.

The Kammerflage set up would be ok if one ditched the fake plants and analog gauges.

Neither are a great value because your getting items that aren't the best and paying for things you don't really need like expensive fixtures and fake plants.

I couldn't call either set up top notch, but yes, either will keep a chameleon alive.