Step one has arrived
- Thread starter Red7ny1
- Start date
Solid Snake
Avid Member
Outstanding!
You will need to move the basking closer though.
In a cage that size its going to be espaecially hard to get a temp gradient going. It may help to angle the basking light from over the top corner, to the outside of the cage.
Im not sure how to explain it in words really:
View attachment 49259
But you will just have to play around and see
I bet you cant wait to get him!
You will need to move the basking closer though.
In a cage that size its going to be espaecially hard to get a temp gradient going. It may help to angle the basking light from over the top corner, to the outside of the cage.
Im not sure how to explain it in words really:
View attachment 49259
But you will just have to play around and see
I bet you cant wait to get him!
Last edited:
Solid Snake
Avid Member
No, like this:
View attachment 49262
So the bulb isnt pointed into the cage (like most setups are).
I point it outward like this for my jackson. It gives a heated basking spot, without over heating the whole cage. Im sure it could be used to help with the temp gradient in a small cage.
Its ALL about gradients
You will want the hottest spot to be in a top crner, that is your basking area. The coolest part of the cage will be the opposite bottom corner.
This provides the chameleon with a wide range of tempuratures to choose from, and allows for proper thermoregulation. If you provide the options, the chameleon will do all the work, and keep itself healthy by getting the temps it needs. All you have to do is monitor the basking temp, and ambient temp. You do not want cold all over, then really hot at basking.
The cham will choose really hot, and dehydrate itself, and not be able to choose its temp.
The hot air in the top is going to rise, and pull the cool air in from the bottom, giving air flow.
In a large enclosure, a straight down, or angled inward basking can be helpful in acheiving this gradient.
I am suggesting the opposite, for the size of the enclosure you are working with.
The best way to make use of the gradient (imo) is to offer a slanted basking branch, coming from the center of the cage, to the basking corner. The incline will ensure options for the chameleon. Put anything else around it you like, but I would strongly suggest setting up the basking this way.
I hope that made since! lol
You will need to play around with it, as everyones situation is different, and its not something that can be standardized, or guessed at.
View attachment 49262
So the bulb isnt pointed into the cage (like most setups are).
I point it outward like this for my jackson. It gives a heated basking spot, without over heating the whole cage. Im sure it could be used to help with the temp gradient in a small cage.
Its ALL about gradients
You will want the hottest spot to be in a top crner, that is your basking area. The coolest part of the cage will be the opposite bottom corner.
This provides the chameleon with a wide range of tempuratures to choose from, and allows for proper thermoregulation. If you provide the options, the chameleon will do all the work, and keep itself healthy by getting the temps it needs. All you have to do is monitor the basking temp, and ambient temp. You do not want cold all over, then really hot at basking.
The cham will choose really hot, and dehydrate itself, and not be able to choose its temp.
The hot air in the top is going to rise, and pull the cool air in from the bottom, giving air flow.
In a large enclosure, a straight down, or angled inward basking can be helpful in acheiving this gradient.
I am suggesting the opposite, for the size of the enclosure you are working with.
The best way to make use of the gradient (imo) is to offer a slanted basking branch, coming from the center of the cage, to the basking corner. The incline will ensure options for the chameleon. Put anything else around it you like, but I would strongly suggest setting up the basking this way.
I hope that made since! lolYou will need to play around with it, as everyones situation is different, and its not something that can be standardized, or guessed at.
Last edited:
Red7ny1
New Member
So come on what kind, size, sex etc. are you getting? We need details and pictures, you know we will want lots of pictures. PS - I like pictures.
You're in luck ... just bought a new ( and first ) DSLR camera , cause I love taking pix . It's going to be a female baby veiled ... I'm naming her ' Winter ' , cause that's the time of year I'm getting her
Red7ny1
New Member
No, like this:
View attachment 49262
So the bulb isnt pointed into the cage (like most setups are).
I point it outward like this for my jackson. It gives a heated basking spot, without over heating the whole cage. Im sure it could be used to help with the temp gradient in a small cage.
Its ALL about gradients
You will want the hottest spot to be in a top crner, that is your basking area. The coolest part of the cage will be the opposite bottom corner.
This provides the chameleon with a wide range of tempuratures to choose from, and allows for proper thermoregulation. If you provide the options, the chameleon will do all the work, and keep itself healthy by getting the temps it needs. All you have to do is monitor the basking temp, and ambient temp. You do not want cold all over, then really hot at basking.
The cham will choose really hot, and dehydrate itself, and not be able to choose its temp.
The hot air in the top is going to rise, and pull the cool air in from the bottom, giving air flow.
In a large enclosure, a straight down, or angled inward basking can be helpful in acheiving this gradient.
I am suggesting the opposite, for the size of the enclosure you are working with.
The best way to make use of the gradient (imo) is to offer a slanted basking branch, coming from the center of the cage, to the basking corner. The incline will ensure options for the chameleon. Put anything else around it you like, but I would strongly suggest setting up the basking this way.
You will need to play around with it, as everyones situation is different, and its not something that can be standardized, or guessed at.
Hmmmm ... gonna have to figure out a way to rig up the light ... something to clamp it to ... but I'm sure I'll come up with something
Solid Snake
Avid Member
I would still bring it closer to the top(within 1-2") and get a basking bulb that gets that corner to 85-90F. But yes! That is what I am talking about!
The angle looks perfect just bring it down. Then measure that top corner, the dead center of the cage, and the opposite bottom corner, and see what you get!
Oh! Also take that uvb fixture, and slide it as close to the basking fixture as it will go
The angle looks perfect just bring it down. Then measure that top corner, the dead center of the cage, and the opposite bottom corner, and see what you get!
Oh! Also take that uvb fixture, and slide it as close to the basking fixture as it will go
Red7ny1
New Member
I would still bring it closer to the top(within 1-2") and get a basking bulb that gets that corner to 85-90F. But yes! That is what I am talking about!
The angle looks perfect just bring it down. Then measure that top corner, the dead center of the cage, and the opposite bottom corner, and see what you get!
Oh! Also take that uvb fixture, and slide it as close to the basking fixture as it will go
Maybe I can find something to put under the cage . If I can't get the light down to the cage , I'll bring the cage to the light
Red7ny1
New Member
Then measure that top corner, the dead center of the cage, and the opposite bottom corner, and see what you get!
As in measure temp ??
Solid Snake
Avid Member
LOL, sounds good! Actually, putting a drain bin underneath would make your life ALOT easier!Maybe I can find something to put under the cage . If I can't get the light down to the cage , I'll bring the cage to the light
You got it
Solid Snake
Avid Member
I drill holes in a "drain" pattern. You could then either use a small shelving system, or put a stilt under each corner, and put whatever is handy underneath to catch water.
Solid Snake
Avid Member
That would be ideal. I wasnt thinking it through the first time, and drilled some hefty holes in the bottom of mine If they escape, they just fall into the water death trap
If they escape, they just fall into the water death trap
Red7ny1
New Member
That would be ideal. I wasnt thinking it through the first time, and drilled some hefty holes in the bottom of mine
Hmmmmm ... perhaps after holes are drilled , maybe screening could be fastened to the plastic underneath
Solid Snake
Avid Member
Hmmmmm ... perhaps after holes are drilled , maybe screening could be fastened to the plastic underneath
I have seen people do this.
I would not. Not saying you shouldnt.
It just seems like "junk" could build up, and it would be harder to clean.
small holes, packed together has worked best for me.
Red7ny1
New Member
And this is why I come to you people .. you're all so helpful . Otherwise , I'd be making lots of dumb mistakes
