UVB Fluorescent Fixtures?

[adamb94]

I built a terrarium a while ago for my girlfriend's water dragon which ended up getting a really bad eye infection from the coil style bulbs (assuming), anyways, we lost the fight. So now I have this really large terrarium...

So my question is for Veiled chameleons...would it be ok to use coil style bulbs in this as long as I keep the branches lower or would I need to go to fluorescent style bulbs? If so does anyone know a good website that sells the fixtures? Or one from a hardware store work?
Would a 48" be needed?

Also I will be making screen sliding doors in place of the glass (which still needs cutting)
Also planning to keep 1 male, 1 female together.

 

[beeze]

No, the coil light causes eye problems and blindness. Each cham will need a seperate cage.

 

[RSGriff]

use a tube UVB. Make the glass screen, get rid of the bark chips and don't keep a male and female together except when breeding. also, ditch the water bowl, get a dripper system going and you will need to mist 3+ times a day. Drainage will be a problem

 

[adamb94]

I've heard of people keeping them together if they are raised together.

As well, I was thinking of a dripper system that drains to the pool, which is hooked up to a filter

 

[jannb]

Each chameleon will need a seperate cage. Here's an older thread where two chameleons were housed together........look what happened.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/sad-tale-2-chameleons-14453/

 

[adamb94]

there were many problems with that chameleon prior to the male probably hurting her. I have seen many of panther chameleons together at stores as well as homes, both with great colours and no issues. At a good local pet store there are 4 blue panthers together.
There are many sites that state you can house them together IF the enclosure is big enough

 

[sandrachameleon]

there were many problems with that chameleon prior to the male probably hurting her. I have seen many of panther chameleons together at stores as well as homes, both with great colours and no issues. At a good local pet store there are 4 blue panthers together.
There are many sites that state you can house them together IF the enclosure is big enough

No issues that you've noticed. Trust us, they should NOT be housed together. The cage would have to be truly HUGE to do so without issues. Just because pet stores do stupid things does not make it right.

But that's a GREAT looking terrarium. You'll need a tube lamp, not the coils/cfls. and yes, a fixture from a hardware store is fine. You wont need substrate or a water bowl (except to catch drip water - not for drinking out of) for a chameleon. And of course you'll obviously need lost more branches and vines.

 

[adamb94]

ya this was just the set up for the dragon there will be alot of changes for sure.
is there any hazard to having the pool in there other than feeders drowning

 

[nick barta]

The water will breed bacteria from dead feeders and droppings from the chameleon. Put a screen over the collection bowl so the Cham can't get to it to drink.

I would strongly suggest you read Raising Kitty-use the search feature.

nick

 

[adamb94]

i have read many of blogs/forums/pages and non really say NOT to have two together...2 males no, but never really 100% no on 1 male and 1 female. many say it works if raised. I am not trying to be rude or anything, but people just say it can't be done, but look at any type of animal out there along with humans..

 

[jojackson]

Nice Enclosure Would make an Awesom Geckoland Or Be great for a small snake. Very cool, did you create the faux rock yourself?

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Not sure on your dimensions, but from what I can tell I would not house 2 together in that. You sound pretty set on having two chameleons, so instead of taking the risk of having them co-habitat, what about putting in a divider and turning this into two enclosures. If you decide to do this, I would make sure they could not see each other through the barrier.

 

[adamb94]

yes the faux rock in the back is hand made as well
polyfoam with concrete covering it...takes alot of sculpting and alot of thin coats of concrete

its 4 tall, 4 ft wide and 2 ft deep.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I think it is better to take advice from those with experience, such as what has been offered, instead of taking the advice of assumed information.

The advice to house them separately will save you heartache and vet bill money.

If you do want chameleons to cohabitate, some pygmy species do not mind eachother, and once in a while a couple of melleri decide that they like eachother.

Other than that, chameleons are solitary. They never even want to see another chameleon unless they are mating, it is in their nature.