Temps and Stats

[Boldie]

For all you UK Cham lovers out there that keep their chams in screen cages, what humidity levels do you get and what temps? Do you find it hard to keep the temps and the humidity levels correct?

Has anyone got any pics of their setup please?

I’m in two minds whether to get a screen cage or stick with an exo terra when I move my cham into a bigger setup. I’ve been looking at the exo terra 60x45x90cm but the cheapest I can find one is £185.

 

[AngieL]

Hi there! We use a reptbreeze 2x2x4 for our girl. The temps are fine and steady but we couldn't achievee them with a thermostat- it kept getting too hot or too cold so we just moved the dome higher up or lower to get the perfect temps. Also you can try different watttage bulbs and see what works best for you. Either way, it's a good idea to raise it off themesh to prevent it ferom heating up too much.

Humidity here in shetland is 40% or higher naturally. We have put a shower curtain at the back to keep humidity in (also protects the walls from the misting) and have added some big live plants which are a god send! This maintains it at around 50-60% and spikes during mistings.

That seems like an awful lot for a screen cage, here's a link to where it's cheaper http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/zoo-med-reptibreeze-screen-cage-x-large.html

And heres some pics of our enclosure

full view

inside

and the drainage

i hope this was helpful

 

[Boldie]

Sorry should of said, the exo terra is glass.

Sent from my Lumia 800 using Board Express

 

[CleanHome Chameleons]

I have 2 Repti breeze and big glass exo terra ( the one u have mentioned ) I use the screen cages for the males and the glass for the females cause I got them cheep. I just spray for shorter time but more often to keep the humidity right. My ambiant temp creeps up a bit but only cause I have 4 cages side by side,
Al put some picture if ya want as I have both cages


Mark

 

[AngieL]

Sorry should of said, the exo terra is glass.

Sent from my Lumia 800 using Board Express

Ah I see in all honesty you would be better off just getting a screen one IMO. Glass can be ok but from what I hear it's hard to keep cool and drainage can be an issue. I know the screen may not look as nice but it's not about looking good is it?

 

[CleanHome Chameleons]

My screen cages

The next picture shows the Exo
Terra 3 foot tall 2 wide 1 1/2 deep for drainage I wipe up evey morning and just before lights out if it hasent already dried up.

Screen cages better air flow slightly harder to keep humidity right, glass exo's better for humidity not so good for air flow and drainage.

The choice is yours

Mark

 

[Tazjunky]

I use the reptibreeze cages, much better airflow through them IMO compared to exos but its all personal preference at the end of the day.

I have 2 reptibreezes - A large one for my female 46x46x92cm.

My male is in a 2x2x4ft Reptibreeze from Surrey Pet Supplies and was very cheap compared to other places - £77 I think it was. (but just checked and they have increased the prices : ( £91.94

Iv modified it slightly by adding some sheets of Twinwall polycarbonate sheets to the back and sides and siliconed them at the joints and to the base. cost me £30 for the sheets from B&Q. I drilled some very small holes in to the base in the centre over where the plant sits which then drains my misting water into a bucket underneath so I dont have to mop up all the excess any more as it was a nightmare at times, plus now I dont have to restrict the amount of misting, I can mist a whole spray bottle of water if I wanted. Iv also put some plastic fencing roll in there from B&M (£5.99) that fits perfectly to give the cham back something to grip onto now that the mesh is covered. plus its dead handy for tying things on to like branches etc.

To help with humidity I have one big umbrella plant that sits on the floor of the viv and that weights it down to help drain the water to the drainage holes, and 2 hanging baskets that I picked up in Morrisons for £2.49 each. I just have these hanging from the roof of the viv, by using a cable tie for each one that attaches to some bamboo canes laid across the corners of the roof frame of the viv so it doesnt put any strain on the mesh at all. The more live plants you have in there the better, as long as the humidity peaks 2-3 times a day the plants will help to keep the humidity up. And if you cover the sides and back that will increase it even more. I also use a dripper through out the day which the cham is always drinking from.

As for the temps, the room I keep my vivs in usually sits at a constant temp of around 70f so ambient is fine, I have a log placed in the viv near the top that the cham uses to bask and I just higher or lower it to get the basking spot between 85-90f. I dont bother with a thermostat at all, I have a 60w household spot light in an exo terra lamp holder clamped to the side of the viv angled towards the branch. Ambient temps at the top of the viv are around 75f.

Hope this helps.