If substrate is bad why do petstores insist and include it in set ups? besides just to make a dollar? Some substrate says its ok if it gets injested...not that i ever trusted it...im just curious. how sturdy are chams in general? i had never heard of not having substrate in a chams cage...i had a living vivarium...so i had substrate....i just worry about my juvies whom have gotten brave and decided to drop after seeing how long they can hang with hind feet and tail....this only happened the first few days, im glad they stoped climbing the top screen.
Substrate
- Thread starter Courtney
- Start date
Chameleonboy
Avid Member
I would have to go with "just to make an extra dollar or two". Why do pet stores sell the reptisun coil that causes blindness and can harm and or kill chameleons. I know it sounds horrible but this has been going on for some time now and there are ALOT of pet stores that are doing this. I think some substrates are ok for other reptiles not chameleons.
-Clemonde
-Clemonde
Chameleonboy
Avid Member
uhh oh You may want to fill this out so I or other people can help you out. What bulb is it that you have?
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types 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?
* Placement - 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?
* Location - Where are you geographically located?
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.
Pictures are helpful
-Clemonde
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types 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?
* Placement - 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?
* Location - Where are you geographically located?
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.
Pictures are helpful
-Clemonde
Chameleonboy
Avid Member
Just a few threads about the coil bulbs. GET RID OF IT.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/left-eye-having-trouble-31812/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/reptisun-5-0-coil-26916/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/coil-bulbs-26520/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/coil-uvb-bulbs-bad-25052/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/reptiglo-spiral-bulbs-ok-9827/
Also read through Brads site when you get a chance. There is alot of good info on there for you.
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleo...max-results=11
-Clemonde
https://www.chameleonforums.com/left-eye-having-trouble-31812/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/reptisun-5-0-coil-26916/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/coil-bulbs-26520/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/coil-uvb-bulbs-bad-25052/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/reptiglo-spiral-bulbs-ok-9827/
Also read through Brads site when you get a chance. There is alot of good info on there for you.
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleo...max-results=11
-Clemonde
Pure
New Member
Not all Substrates are bad. But the only 2 I would even consider using is organic non fertilized dirt or sphagnum moss. Most just tell you not to use any because it's safer for you to not use any, than risk you putting the wrong substrate in. And in all honestly, unless you have a living viv, bare bottom is just easier to keep clean.
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Reptibreeze all screen 16x16x30
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Zoomed terrsrium hood 18". zoomed daylight blue 60 watt...its too warm its only on for a few hours in the am its around 75-80 in my bedroom where i keep them..cooler at night. also exoterra repti glo 10.0 uvb this is a coiled buld...all the accessories for terrarium came with the setup. i turn on th coiled light at around 6 or 7 the blue one i turn on around lunch time and off around 5 or 6
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? unfortunately im not at the moment... basking spot is roughly 6-7 in from top of cage
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Same as above
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? both...none that are in pots. we have ficus bushes that arent treated with anything so for the time being i have a few branches that i have cleaned...they try to snack on the leaves i left on. this arrangement is only temp. waiting on my other accesories to be mailed back to me.
* Placement - 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?Sits on top of a dresser thats about 32" tall. the dresser is all the way in a corner between a window and a sliding glass door. there is a ceiling fan on in the middle of the room its on all the time. it gets really hot and dry without it. The ceiling is vaulted. there are two ac vents in the room that do nothing to cool the room. its 2 story large house. we only run ac upstairs. too expensive to cool the whole house when the majority of the people that live in it are never here.
* Location - Where are you geographically located? USA Ft Lauderdale Beach Florida
Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?Veiled, Male and Female, almost 3 months, 1 Week
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?only when i feel the need to clean up large amounts of fecal matter. the male gets really upset when you go sticking your hands in the cage. i found it eaiser on him to just take him out. besides at that time generally twice a week not for very long, just to look them over and go out on the covered patio in the evening for som not too hot real sunlight
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Gut loaded crickets that i gut loaded myself with..muti grain cereal, veggies..lettuce broccoli carrots fresh green beans.. i use to use baby food mixed with the powdered store bought gut load. In the am and the evening how many each time not sure. i do know that since ive had them they have ate roughly 120 between the two of them
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? twice a week rep cal calcium w/vitamin d
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I have seen them drinking now not so much. i mist the plants several times a day 3+ because its so warm in my house . we also have a little dripper that drips into a holding container for easy emoval. I do not recycle the water.
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? brown piece thats larger than the second smaller round chalk like white piece.
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Captive bred..suposedly trusted breeder in the local area. i did get them from a reptile store. all the babies with them were healthy beautiful no defects. i inspected all of them as best i could.
* Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about. my first veileds. turns out its going to cost me more to take care of them than my other cham. but will be well worth it. I need a second larger set up also new lights. im going to see if the pet store will swap out the current light fixture for a tube light fixture bulb and a clamp light... i just need to know what kind of bulbs to get..
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Reptibreeze all screen 16x16x30
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Zoomed terrsrium hood 18". zoomed daylight blue 60 watt...its too warm its only on for a few hours in the am its around 75-80 in my bedroom where i keep them..cooler at night. also exoterra repti glo 10.0 uvb this is a coiled buld...all the accessories for terrarium came with the setup. i turn on th coiled light at around 6 or 7 the blue one i turn on around lunch time and off around 5 or 6
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? unfortunately im not at the moment... basking spot is roughly 6-7 in from top of cage
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Same as above
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? both...none that are in pots. we have ficus bushes that arent treated with anything so for the time being i have a few branches that i have cleaned...they try to snack on the leaves i left on. this arrangement is only temp. waiting on my other accesories to be mailed back to me.
* Placement - 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?Sits on top of a dresser thats about 32" tall. the dresser is all the way in a corner between a window and a sliding glass door. there is a ceiling fan on in the middle of the room its on all the time. it gets really hot and dry without it. The ceiling is vaulted. there are two ac vents in the room that do nothing to cool the room. its 2 story large house. we only run ac upstairs. too expensive to cool the whole house when the majority of the people that live in it are never here.
* Location - Where are you geographically located? USA Ft Lauderdale Beach Florida
Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?Veiled, Male and Female, almost 3 months, 1 Week
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?only when i feel the need to clean up large amounts of fecal matter. the male gets really upset when you go sticking your hands in the cage. i found it eaiser on him to just take him out. besides at that time generally twice a week not for very long, just to look them over and go out on the covered patio in the evening for som not too hot real sunlight
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Gut loaded crickets that i gut loaded myself with..muti grain cereal, veggies..lettuce broccoli carrots fresh green beans.. i use to use baby food mixed with the powdered store bought gut load. In the am and the evening how many each time not sure. i do know that since ive had them they have ate roughly 120 between the two of them
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? twice a week rep cal calcium w/vitamin d
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I have seen them drinking now not so much. i mist the plants several times a day 3+ because its so warm in my house . we also have a little dripper that drips into a holding container for easy emoval. I do not recycle the water.
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? brown piece thats larger than the second smaller round chalk like white piece.
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Captive bred..suposedly trusted breeder in the local area. i did get them from a reptile store. all the babies with them were healthy beautiful no defects. i inspected all of them as best i could.
* Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about. my first veileds. turns out its going to cost me more to take care of them than my other cham. but will be well worth it. I need a second larger set up also new lights. im going to see if the pet store will swap out the current light fixture for a tube light fixture bulb and a clamp light... i just need to know what kind of bulbs to get..
Attachments
Crazy Pet Lady
New Member
ReptiSun 5.0 I would also add alot more foliage for him to hide in. Your cage seems a bit bare. He's a cutie tho..
graydon
New Member
Try putting a real plant in there like a ficus or hibiscus is even better for veiled's because they like to munch on them. It will also help with the humidity.. looks kinda dry in there. You don't need substrate. You risk mold and mildew which in turn can cause some URI. Change the uvb to a reptisun 5.0 linear tube 18". Your basking bulb should be a standard 40 watt house hold bulb.
You will also need to measure your temps and humidity levels so you might want to invest into something.
You will also need to measure your temps and humidity levels so you might want to invest into something.
i never said i wouldnt at this time i havent finances to set up two cages they way they deserve. when i got them both i knew i would need 2 cages in the not too distant future. when i said there would be a vast improvement i ment plant light and temp/humid monitoring. At the moment they are still really enjoying each others company. i want one really large cage with a divider that i can simply remove if i decide to breed..then again i dont know if a set up like that would work. i am learning something new everyday on here which has me picking and choosing which problem to handle first.
DJ Richey Rich
New Member
Hummmm
I got bark it comes in bricks add watter it expands my Iguana loves it easy to clean too i got a big pasta strainer i use put the bark in it once a week run hot water trough it working it around with ur hands I only keep it in his cage for a month and replace it with new you could probably go 2 months tho but i like to keep it safe
I got bark it comes in bricks add watter it expands my Iguana loves it easy to clean too i got a big pasta strainer i use put the bark in it once a week run hot water trough it working it around with ur hands I only keep it in his cage for a month and replace it with new you could probably go 2 months tho but i like to keep it safe
OOOst16
Established Member
never use loose substrate!...its can cause impaction damage if they get a piece in there mouth when they eat a insect....then it goes down there digestive tract wich can cause a block ....wich means build up ....wich resolves in death ....paper towls or nothing is best pvc is nice aswell
DJ Richey Rich
New Member
K
I wont use bark for my cham. would like a fake grass astroturf work the cage looks ugly keeping it wood
I wont use bark for my cham. would like a fake grass astroturf work the cage looks ugly keeping it wood
