Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Johnny D]

hey everyone

newbie here... have plans of getting a cham (panther, male)

ive done a fair bit of research, although you can never research too much so still going to leave it a 2-3 weeks, maybe longer before getting one (hopefully have someone lined up to buy from - rickeeze, spoke yesterday)

going to get a sub adult - babies ive heard can be a bit difficult at times

ive got the viv half ready (although picture is not recent)
i have put a devils ivy plant in there, fill half the viv, and im going to put a bit of rope across the rest, make it look like a real good play ground for him
i have removed bottom sheet of glass and replaced with mesh, do you think this will be enough ventilation or shall i add more??
because i know humidity has to be fairly high



comments and advice much appreciated

thanks guys
Edited by MJ: fixed image link

[kroakykaren]

Hi Johnny,
I cut most of the roof away too and replace with mesh..... then you have a good airflow, just get the old jigsaw out I also give the inside about 3 or 4 coats of white masonry paint, this helps waterproof and makes the viv nice and bright
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[Rickeezee]

Yep mesh roof helps even if its only 50% coverage, hot air out via the top draws cool cool air in via lower vents = cross air flow, prevents things getting stale. In terms of mass produced vivs I haven't seen a decent panther viv yet that is suitable for the UK market. My panther vivs were all custom built, but with a bit of tweaking its easy enough to convert a standard viv, good luck, any questions feel free lots of cham keepers on the forum.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

[Johnny D]

will it be ok if i replaced both glass sliders also with mesh rather than cut a hole in the top ( i can see something going terribly wrong ).... if not i will get one of my pals to cut a hole in top maybe

ive already varnished the inside with a few coats... still use white masonry paint as well though??

[Rickeezee]

I would still opt for cutting the top out with a jigsaw, nowt can go wrong If it does I never said a word

Much better this way then basking lamp and uv tube can be mounted externally on top of viv, no burnt cham then. Plus air flow is much improved. I use 6mm gauge woven wire mesh on viv tops. Unless its for smaller herps where the feeder insect will get through 6mm gauge. then I use insect gauge woven wire mesh, and use a stringer uv tube with refdlector so the uv gets through.

Get yer jigsaw out, jigsaw massacre
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

[Johnny D]

well looks like i have no choice now... il take the top off and get my chippy mate to do it

i got a great long uv light for it... going from top left hand corner, right the way down to bottom right

them uv dont generate too much heat for them does it??
would be ok like that??

[Rickeezee]

No they dont generate that much heat but I mount mine at the top facing downwards more natural this way, sorry to be a pain, either way will work though, I just prefer the uv shinning downwards. This then creates a uv gradient.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

[Johnny D]

ok then rickeezee... sounds like ive been given a bit of wrong info

need a few adjustments and tweeks then

do you know of any websites imperticular with good knowledge or books by any chance??

[kroakykaren]

Hi Johnny, here are some sites for for you to have a look at
http://www.ukchameleons.co.uk/captivecare.htm
http://www.adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonsdish.com/
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[Johnny D]

thanks alot for them... i know about the basic care for panthers etc

i was just looking for something a little more in depth