whats needed to start a enclosure

[bigwig]

hi,

i was hoping i could find all my info needed on a faq, but i couldnt.

im not looking to be hand fed all the general info needed to start a chameleon enclosure, but rather, info from experienced owners enclosure set ups... from lighting to misters and drippers what brands to go with and are real plants the way to go rather than fake plants

 

[bigwig]

Hibiscus trees are mentioned alot. ill go with that, as the look nice

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/ found this

 

[maxttu]

Real plants are always best: pothos, hibiscus and schefflera are the most commonly used.

Many keepers go with the 5.0 UVB tube light. Reptisun or reptiglo.

Misters: aquazamp or mistking

 

[Decadancin]

Hi, and welcome to the forums! First, here is a link to the resources page. It has a lot of the basics. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/
As for the misting system, most will suggest AquaZamp or MistKing. (So will I) I use a MistKing system with two double misting nozzles. Some use rain domes instead of misting nozzles. The basic setup will run about $100. I do not use a dripper because I have a veiled and offer some greens for additional hydration rather than a constant drip.
As for lighting, I use Arcadia T5 HO tube lights. I have 6% UVB along with 6500k plant bulbs and a plant pro. I also use two heat bulbs (household incandescent). Here is a link to my blog about lighting schedules. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html Hope this gives you some ideas.
As for plants, I would suggest some live plants to help control humidity. Pothos and umbrella plants are widely used, as well as hibiscus and ficus. Make sure to check out the safe plant list in the care resource sheets. I personally use both live and artificial plants. Here is a look at my enclosure. https://www.chameleonforums.com/mem...hod-s-enclosure-picture18492-cage-canopy.html I have since added two golden pothos and will be adding an umbrella or hibiscus soon.

Hope this helps!

 

[RoskaL]

Real plants are always best: pothos, hibiscus and schefflera are the most commonly used.

Many keepers go with the 5.0 UVB tube light. Reptisun or reptiglo.

Misters: aquazamp or mistking

5%? On a screen enclosure? Go with 12% if using above the screen as the screen filters out nearly 50% of the uv

 

[RoskaL]

Hi, and welcome to the forums! First, here is a link to the resources page. It has a lot of the basics. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/
As for the misting system, most will suggest AquaZamp or MistKing. (So will I) I use a MistKing system with two double misting nozzles. Some use rain domes instead of misting nozzles. The basic setup will run about $100. I do not use a dripper because I have a veiled and offer some greens for additional hydration rather than a constant drip.
As for lighting, I use Arcadia T5 HO tube lights. I have 6% UVB along with 6500k plant bulbs and a plant pro. I also use two heat bulbs (household incandescent). Here is a link to my blog about lighting schedules. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html Hope this gives you some ideas.
As for plants, I would suggest some live plants to help control humidity. Pothos and umbrella plants are widely used, as well as hibiscus and ficus. Make sure to check out the safe plant list in the care resource sheets. I personally use both live and artificial plants. Here is a look at my enclosure. https://www.chameleonforums.com/mem...hod-s-enclosure-picture18492-cage-canopy.html I have since added two golden pothos and will be adding an umbrella or hibiscus soon.

Hope this helps!

How have you got this light setup? Looks awesome I want lol!! What do I need to do it? How much it cost?

Also what timers do you run for the mistking? Do you use heated water?

Cheers mate

 

[Decadancin]

How have you got this light setup? Looks awesome I want lol!! What do I need to do it? How much it cost?

Also what timers do you run for the mistking? Do you use heated water?

Cheers mate

I used an Arcadia T5 HO quad fixture that has blue LEDs. There are three plugs for timers. The LEDs come on early to simulate sunrise and stay on after the other lights go out just in case Zaphod hasn't settled in yet. The Arcadia 6% is definitely strong enough to be used on top of the screen, so I wouldn't recommend the 12% unless you have a real large enclosure with tons of foliage. I forget the exact cost, and its not on the website, but here is a link to the dual fixture. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/t5highoutput.html Shoot Todd an email to see if the quad fixture is in stock and He'll give you pricing info and availability.

As for the MistKing, I use the timer that Marty sells through MistKing. I have no issues with it and it is very flexible for duration. Here is the link. http://www.mistking.com/Digital-Seconds-Timer.html This is the system I gothttp://www.mistking.com/ultimate-misting-system.html I LOVE this system! I did get a small heater for the reservoir, but haven't used it yet. It is one that is submersible and can run dry (for safety).

Can't wait to see pics when you're done! Good Luck!

 

[RoskaL]

I used an Arcadia T5 HO quad fixture that has blue LEDs. There are three plugs for timers. The LEDs come on early to simulate sunrise and stay on after the other lights go out just in case Zaphod hasn't settled in yet. The Arcadia 6% is definitely strong enough to be used on top of the screen, so I wouldn't recommend the 12% unless you have a real large enclosure with tons of foliage. I forget the exact cost, and its not on the website, but here is a link to the dual fixture. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/t5highoutput.html Shoot Todd an email to see if the quad fixture is in stock and He'll give you pricing info and availability.

As for the MistKing, I use the timer that Marty sells through MistKing. I have no issues with it and it is very flexible for duration. Here is the link. http://www.mistking.com/Digital-Seconds-Timer.html This is the system I gothttp://www.mistking.com/ultimate-misting-system.html I LOVE this system! I did get a small heater for the reservoir, but haven't used it yet. It is one that is submersible and can run dry (for safety).

Can't wait to see pics when you're done! Good Luck!

Where did you get the LEDs?
Yeh I have the mistking was wondering about your timings lol I only run 1.30mins 4x a day with a small submersible heater

I'll have a look for the quad fixture t5 thing guessing they're not cheap lol

 

[Decadancin]

Where did you get the LEDs?
Yeh I have the mistking was wondering about your timings lol I only run 1.30mins 4x a day with a small submersible heater

I'll have a look for the quad fixture t5 thing guessing they're not cheap lol

The LEDs come in the fixture! They are on their own plug. (Its kinda like a saltwater reef fixture.) I run my mister four times a day, three times for a minute and a fourth for 1.5 mins.

 

[bigwig]

Hi, and welcome to the forums! First, here is a link to the resources page. It has a lot of the basics. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/
As for the misting system, most will suggest AquaZamp or MistKing. (So will I) I use a MistKing system with two double misting nozzles. Some use rain domes instead of misting nozzles. The basic setup will run about $100. I do not use a dripper because I have a veiled and offer some greens for additional hydration rather than a constant drip.
As for lighting, I use Arcadia T5 HO tube lights. I have 6% UVB along with 6500k plant bulbs and a plant pro. I also use two heat bulbs (household incandescent). Here is a link to my blog about lighting schedules. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html Hope this gives you some ideas.
As for plants, I would suggest some live plants to help control humidity. Pothos and umbrella plants are widely used, as well as hibiscus and ficus. Make sure to check out the safe plant list in the care resource sheets. I personally use both live and artificial plants. Here is a look at my enclosure. https://www.chameleonforums.com/mem...hod-s-enclosure-picture18492-cage-canopy.html I have since added two golden pothos and will be adding an umbrella or hibiscus soon.

Hope this helps!

thats awesome! is the stained wood not harmful for chams?

 

[Swordfish9921]

I second the T5 quad fixture i have it with an arcadia 6% n 6.5k then 2 6.5ks then the leds...i also use a basking bulb in a dome and have my lights timed to duplicate sunrise to sunset...also second the mistking just setup 2 nozzles in my 2x2x4 cage and mist 4 times a day

 

[Decadancin]

thats awesome! is the stained wood not harmful for chams?

The wood is stained and has a low VOC poly coat. I allowed this to dry completely before putting Zaphod in.

 

[Jon114]

5%? On a screen enclosure? Go with 12% if using above the screen as the screen filters out nearly 50% of the uv

Anyone have any input to this?

I've read in some places that a thick screen like the ones used with reptariums will need a bulb with a higher output. What about with more traditional screen, like the ones used in 24x24x48s?