Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've just received my reptarium via mail order (the veiled chameleon is out of stock and I asked for the equipment to be sent on ahead so I could have it ready). All I can say is thank goodness because I am totally stumped as to how to set up the lighting and heating.

The Apogee Reptarium was easy to build but the rest of it has baffled me. Do I make holes in the mesh? I have the following:

Spotlamp fitting (plugged pendant fitting with 2 metres of lead)
No spotlamp as it is out of stock.

Do I need a reflector for the spotlamp? should it hang in the cage?

Ceramic heater
Ceramic heat bulb holder
Ceramic heat bulb reflector

I can see how these three fit together and I know I need to buy some cable. Does the reflector then just sit on top of the cage?

Zoo-Med Iguana 5.0
Arcadia 200W Single watt controller

Where does this go? Inside? Shall I make holes in the mesh?

I've tried to access the site I bought the goods from but I am unable to do so! A bit worrying. Especially since they sent me a repti-reservoir and not a drip system. If someone can take pity on me and help me out I would be eternally grateful.

Colleen

i would send all those lights and heaters back to the store. lol. all you need is a good light like the 5.0, and a ceramic dome fixture and a basking bulb, about 75-100 watts. take a look at my site for a detailed guide! good luck.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1.1 Furcifer Pardalis (Diego Suarez)
1 Chameleo Melleri

Colleen-

Maybe its just me but, it sounds like the store you bought everything from took you to the cleaners so to speak! Click Here, to see a list of what you need with pictures.

As far as set up goes, no bulbs should be inside the cage. The bulbs will either sit on top of the cage or hand just above it. Hope this helps!
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John W. Lucas

CHAMELEON PARADISE

CHAMELEONS ONLINE E-ZINE AUTHOR

Feeding Baby Chameleons
Caging Baby Chameleons

F. pardalis

Ambilobe Locale
Nosy Be Locale
Sambava Locale

Rhampholeon uluguruensis

Eggs Incubating-

F. pardalis - Ambilobe Locale

got SILKWORMS!

Photo © Chameleon Paradise 2003

Hey John,

I looked at your nice list and have a comment about the humidity gauge you show. I have had lots of problems with these little analog Zoo Med gauges and suggest that folks NOT buy them. The humidity gauge tends to stick and give inaccurate readings after a few months of use. For a herp that isn't as critically sensitive to humidity it might be OK, but for hour by hour careful measurement of RH I prefer the digital/electronic gauges used to track room humidity. Just thought you should mention this for folks who may buy these and rely on them.

Carlton-

Yes thanks, I have been meaning to update that. I would not use them either, but better to have something then nothing. I use a GE wireless temp/humidity electronic gauge, they are awesome. Wal-mart has them for $40, and they take temp/humidity of the room and temp/humidity of where ever you put the wireless sensor. They are marked for indoor/outdoor use. I will add a pic of what I have to that list as another option.
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John W. Lucas

CHAMELEON PARADISE

CHAMELEONS ONLINE E-ZINE AUTHOR

Feeding Baby Chameleons
Caging Baby Chameleons

F. pardalis

Ambilobe Locale
Nosy Be Locale
Sambava Locale

Rhampholeon uluguruensis

Eggs Incubating-

F. pardalis - Ambilobe Locale

got SILKWORMS!

Photo © Chameleon Paradise 2003