Treats for my Nosy Be (Hopefully Soon)

[Brain916]

Well I had an $100 today to spend (I have more, just waiting after my trip), so I decided to pick somethings up.

Here are some pictures, can anyone tell me if the Compact Top by Exo Terra is any good for Chams?

Picture of my cage that I got 2 weeks ago

 

[Marc10edora]

In my opinion, I would return the exo-tera florescent light fixture. Instead, just buy any regular florescent fixture that fits the tube lights at Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Then use a reptisun uv tube for it. It would definetly be cheaper ($12-$20). The most expensive peice would be the reptisun bulb. But the reptisun is the best brand. If you get a fixture without a power cord connected to it, I could show you how to add one very easily. As for the cricket keeper, I have one and don't really use it much. That's because small crickets can jump out through the little gap above the tube. Now I just keep mealworms in it. The plastic vines are good. But a cheaper way to go would be to buy the vines in the arts and crafts section at wal-mart or craft stores. I beleive there is no difference and you have more of a choice to pick from. I would make sure you have a nice live plant in there too. Im just letting you know from my mistakes. I bought all the same stuff as you when I got my first cham and learned how I could save alot of money later on. Also, I see that you live in Sacramento. If you could wait until september 29-30, there is a big reptile show there. You might find great deals on stuff. I would bring the cricket keeper with you if you see some cool bugs to buy.

 

[ChameleonsTree]

Return the heatbulb fixture also...a $5 one at home depot is just fine and the basking bulbs are cheaper there too...like half price.

 

[DkRhodes]

I think your Cham would prefer regular Dr.Pepper vs. Diet ,Just My Opinion

 

[Julirs]

I second returning the compact UVB, they are too concentrated to a smaller part of the cage while a tube covers more area. You can get a basking "heat bulb" fixture at Wal Mart inthe auto/electric sections, and I do use some, but they don't look nearly as nice. I use a combo of the fake vines and lots of real plants, and the cricket keeper I use for feeders all of the time. In fact I have several of them. I want a Nosy Be, hopefully one will be in my future also! Where are you getting yours?

 

[Cherron]

I wouldn't necessairly return the basking light fixture. The ones made specifically for reptiles have a ceramic socket that is rated for very high, constant temperatures. The automotive/shop ones, while work I am sure, aren't made for as constant use as the ceramic ones. The shop ones often have a plastic socket. The ceramic fixtures last longer and are less of a fire hazard over time. Since you already have it, I would say it is a good thing to keep

 

[ChromaChameleons]

i agree with ditching he compact flourescent fixture. You cant go wrong with a reptisun 5.0 tube. I use 40 or 60 watt regular houszehold incandescent bulbs for basking in a 5 or 8 inch dome fixture.

So far , its looking good.. I would get a plant also. Scheffelera Aboricola (umbrella) or Ficus Benjemena would do nicely.

 

[Fate X]

i would keep the ceramic fixture and return the compact fixture like some have said.

i would look for a schefflera plant for the cage and wash the plant off first.when i got mine i took them out of the pot and broke away alot of the soil and replaced it with fresh soil then i put 2-3 on top with topsoil.

i believe the plants lowered the stress level.

home depot used to have them for 10-20 $

 

[PardalisGirl]

Shopping Spree

I also vote for keeping the dome fixture and returning the Compact Top fixture. A shop light will be great. Don't be stupid like me. I brought one home from the hardware store and found out it had no electrical cord. I accidentally bought the model that you hard wire into your ceiling. Also don't use those compact spiral UVB fixtures. Lots of problems associated with those. I ditched the ones I had after one failed and gave a cham a "sunburn" once. Get the ZooMed Reptisun regular flourescent. Nice screen cage. Put a nice and tall potted live plant in there. If you want to keep crickets in a cricket keeper you need the largest size one. Even baby crickets can escape the size you have. You could keep some juicy little roaches in it though Or superworms. Good job on getting prepared before you get your new baby!

 

[Heika]

The ceramic fixtures last longer and are less of a fire hazard over time. Since you already have it, I would say it is a good thing to keep

I like the ceramic fixtures too, but most feed stores have them for about half the price of reptile specific lighting. They are used for chick brooding, and run about $7.00 at my local feed store.

 

[Vegas Chad]

Looks good for the most part... Dont feed your cham that diet DP though.

 

[Heika]

I also vote for keeping the dome fixture and returning the Compact Top fixture. A shop light will be great. Don't be stupid like me. I brought one home from the hardware store and found out it had no electrical cord. I accidentally bought the model that you hard wire into your ceiling.

It seems like the 24 inch ones are the hardest to find with wired cords. I have wired in cords on some in the past, and put on reflectors as well. I used aluminum tape to put behind the lights as a reflector, and screwed on flashing on the side of the light. Necessity is a good motivator.

Here, a few pics of one of mine and where the wires go:

Completed light:

Side of the light:

Wiring:

Total cost less than $20.00 for the fixture.

 

[Vegas Chad]

Advice: Don’t get your stuff at pet shops… Usually you are able to get MUCH better deals at reptile shows and at online stores. The down side is shipping; however if you get enough stuff the amount that you save will pay for it and still you will save. Also by going to a show you can skip shipping too and if you are a good haggler get a free water bowl or something . For example, my aunt got me a 48” repta sun UVB bulb at Pet co for $50 bucks!!! However you can get the same bulb at LLL for something like 17! Shop around and you will save a ton!
Also, I don’t think that hood will cut the cake. Get a nice fixture for a UVB strip… Home Depot, Lowes and again online stores sell many different flavors for good prices; just make sure you get one with a cord to keep things simple. For something like 7 bucks you can get a plane Jane model but if you pay 25-ish you can get a nice one with wide AL top and mirrored finish to shoot the light down deep into the cage. Also, I like the double bulb fixtures. I’ll put one nice new UVB bulb in one slot and then a normal in the other. Once I replace the old bulb (after 6ish months) with a new I will get rid of the normal and then have one new and one old UVB bulb in the fixture. Easy as pie!!!

 

[Brain916]

Thanks for the help everyone,

I am getting my Nosy Be from Screameleons.com

On the light fixture, I am going to take it back Monday, and hopefully buy a bar light fixture.

For the plant, I bought around a week ago a Hisbicus(sp?). Just giving it sun and watering it for now to get the pesticides off.

 

[Vegas Chad]

try not to buy your light at the pet store... They will want to charge you at least 30 bucks for them little POS things...

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy,

Here's that shop light from Home Depot that's got the nice, reflective aluminum construction. It holds the std. Reptisun 5.0 4ft tubes that LLL Reptile and Big Apple sell for about $14.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...og.beans.EndecaDataBean@4378071a&ddkey=Search

If this doesn't work then just use www.homedepot.com and search the sku# 453980. It's about $30. It's got a power cord and a switch. Several friends use them with their multi-enclosure setups.

 

[Marc10edora]

Yep, Heika explained the cord connection pretty good. But if you are still confused, just ask one of the Home Depot workers how to do it. They will usually always help you. They might even connect it for you if you're lucky.