uv opinion

[little roo]

hi
this is my first post,just after some opinions.
i have built an enclosure for a panther cham,its 3.2ft wide 2ft deep and
about six ft tall,i have cut out a panel from the top for heat lamp.should
i use a mercury vapour like a mega ray 100w for the additional heat and loads of uv or is it to powerful for a panther?i am worried that in such a tall tank a uv strip "10" would have hardly any effect.

 

[Julirs]

A Reptisun 10.0 would work fine as the chameleon would spend plenty of time at the top provided there were perching spots. If you are getting an adult Panther a properly placed Powersun would work also. I am guessing the top is not screen if you had to cut out a panel?

 

[jannb]

Could you post some pictures?

 

[little roo]

hi
i cut out just over a square foot on the top and secured some fine mesh over the hole for ventilation and for the lamp holder to sit on. also the side panel door is screen mesh,it is an old wardrobe you see.

 

[little roo]

i only have one pic at the moment and you cant see the top ,so pointless putting it up really lol!

 

[jannb]

Lots of stuff in there for your cham to crawl around on. What kind of cham do you have?

 

[YoshiTheVeiled]

100w mercury vapor powersun is what I was using until it messed up my chams eyes. Now I'm using reptisun 10.0 and a reg house bulb.

 

[little roo]

i dont.lol
i like to get everything as ready as possible and researching as much as i can
before any purchases of little critters!
i want a panther chameleon and i think jacksons are really cool too but for a first timer ive read jacksons are more for experienced cham keepers.

if anyone sees any thing they dont like let me know please.

 

[jannb]

I use the reptisun 5.0 and have had no problems. You are very wise to get everything ready first. BTW Welcome to the forums!

 

[nick barta]

Where do you live? Please put it in your profile so it will show in the top right corner when you post. Check the ambiant room temperature, if it is 65-70 degrees, a 65 watt bulb should be a good starting wattage. Nice enclosure, what are you doing for misting and water collection?

 

[little roo]

i live in the uk so room temp is about 57-63 so a bit cooler than the US,
i keep green tree pythons and mist them twice a day with a pump spray and thought i could do this for a panther cham aswell,also i will make a water dropper for drinking water and a tray at the bottom to catch excess.i was thinking about using a type of moss as a substrate for humidity,any thoughts on that?

 

[jannb]

No substrate. They could eat it and become impacted.

 

[Tom Carlier]

I use cocopeat for substrate.
Keeps humidity high, and can hold up gallons of water without having puddles.

Never seen a chameleon eat it, and don't think it would harm them if they ate it accidentally...
As long as you don't use repti bark !

Ofcourse if you see them eating it on purpose, you'd better not use any,
but I know a lot of people that use soil with sand or just cocopeat without any problems.

Greets

 

[Docility]

if you could find a substrate they eat like a specific type of plant edible by chams you may be able to put them across the bottom to keep up humidity

though they would need to be short or else it would look crazy in there lol

 

[Pieces]

i am using mega ray mecury bult 160 watt..... 4 ft cage... this ok.. and what do you mean screwing with thier eyes?