Acrylic front screen cage with cork background airflow question.

[aapuzzo]

If I go with a Zoomed Retibreeze Delux with Acrylic front and put a cork or similar background so I have something to mist against and not drench the wall will that still be adequate airflow for a Panther or similar Chameleon?

 

[cyberlocc]

If I go with a Zoomed Retibreeze Delux with Acrylic front and put a cork or similar background so I have something to mist against and not drench the wall will that still be adequate airflow for a Panther or similar Chameleon?

I never knew those had Acrylic Doors, NICE CAGE.
I do wonder, how much it will scratch however.

You can cover all 3 sides, the bottom vent under the door is MORE than enough ventilation in tandem with a Chimney effect that would be created by covering all 3 sides.

Ventilation gets way overblown. When the Screen Cages became a thing, the only other option was Aquariums. Which did not work. However, a cage with a vent, and the chimney effect provides good Ventilation and is more than plenty.

 

[aapuzzo]

I never knew those had Acrylic Doors, NICE CAGE.
I do wonder, how much it will scratch however.

You can cover all 3 sides, the bottom vent under the door is MORE than enough ventilation in tandem with a Chimney effect that would be created by covering all 3 sides.

Ventilation gets way overblown. When the Screen Cages became a thing, the only other option was Aquariums. Which did not work. However, a cage with a vent, and the chimney effect provides good Ventilation and is more than plenty.

Thanks for the reply. So you are saying as long as I don't cover that substrate removal door I should be good to go. Not that I would cover the sides anyway.

Yeah when I first saw them I was like I'm not spending that much more for LED lights that could just burn out or have issues. But the acrylic door really changes it. Also the Reptibreeze deluxe comes with the substrate tray and not just the white plastic bottom that water leaks out of. I think they sell that part for about $20 separately now but it is included with this model making the premium price not seem that bad. I just don't want to go spraying water at the door so it doesn't need to be cleaned as much scratching it. I was also tossing around the idea of putting a screen over the substrate tray and adding a uniseal or just silicone in a hose so it's flush to add a drain.

 

[cyberlocc]

Thanks for the reply. So you are saying as long as I don't cover that substrate removal door I should be good to go. Not that I would cover the sides anyway.

Yeah when I first saw them I was like I'm not spending that much more for LED lights that could just burn out or have issues. But the acrylic door really changes it. Also the Reptibreeze deluxe comes with the substrate tray and not just the white plastic bottom that water leaks out of. I think they sell that part for about $20 separately now but it is included with this model making the premium price not seem that bad. I just don't want to go spraying water at the door so it doesn't need to be cleaned as much scratching it. I was also tossing around the idea of putting a screen over the substrate tray and adding a uniseal or just silicone in a hose so it's flush to add a drain.

Yep that's exactly what I am saying.

Sorry missed this thread before.

I prefer sealed cages, and would love that door for my reptibreeze Quarantine cage. Could you take a picture of it? If and when you get a chance? And yes the pan is nice, I have the pan for my QT cage as well.

 

[aapuzzo]

Yep that's exactly what I am saying.

Sorry missed this thread before.

I prefer sealed cages, and would love that door for my reptibreeze Quarantine cage. Could you take a picture of it? If and when you get a chance? And yes the pan is nice, I have the pan for my QT cage as well.

I'll take a picture if I end up buying it.

 

[skoram]

I'm reeeaaaally curious how that door will turn out with all the misting and humidity necessary for a chameleon.

I've posted on this topic many times before (feels like I'm beating a dead horse) but every time I've used acrylic in high humidity environments, pieces that were not welded on at least 3 sides to other acrylic panels always warped - tremendously. I can't imagine a reputable company like Zoomed isn't aware of/hasn't tested this. Perhaps they solved this issue by using a super strong adhesive to attach the door to a very strong and rigid frame. It doesn't take long for acrylic to warp from moisture so you should find out in less a month. Please keep us posted.

 

[Dbash44]

@aapuzzo @skoram @cyberlocc

Hey just dropping by and noticed that I might be able to help with this.

I bought this enclosure a little over a month ago. It’s working well so far. I covered the back with great stuff foam and the left and right side with shower curtains. More than enough airflow and my lil guy is thriving.

The cage door’s acrylic is mounted inside the framing similar to Bill’s if I remember correctly. I’ve not had problems with it warping. I mist my panther in this enclosure many times throughout the day and fog at night (don’t hate me for this, Cyber, haha). I’ve had no issues with warping. Time will tell.

The only issue I had which I didn’t consider before buying the cage was that there’s no available corner to mount a misting wedge. The LED bars are mounted into the framing and are daisy chained together creating an LED horse shoe. The only available frame to tap into up top is the front portion. I ended up taking that mistking wedge, drilling three holes on the longest side and mounting it from those three points on the center of the open frame without the LED’s. I called zoomed beforehand and they guaranteed they’d replace it if it got messed up with the method I told them I was going to try. They also told me there’s no cords in that part of the frame since they’re daisy chained from the power source that’s located at the back right corner of the top frame on the outside.

This worked out wonderfully for misting since all the water is spraying away from the door. Plus I use RO water so there’s no hard water stains from any drips.

Also the led bar is nice for getting light throughout the enclosure. Better than those I have strip lights above the cage on imo. I have a bunch of plants that seem to all be doing well. These plants include: pathos, goldfish plant, bromeliad, praying plant, Passion flower plant, zebra plant, snake plant, palm and so on.

The only issue I’ve had with the LED lighting function is that on an aftermarket timer it only turn on to the first function, red and white. The other two options, all white and all red, will require you to change manually once powered on. You can do this by pressing a button located on the outside top right corner of the enclosure.

Lastly, to attest to zoo meds promise. The power cord I received with the cage wasn’t working properly. Had to be bent to work properly (like an old aux cord). They sent a new power cord and new top led frame panel for free to help resolve the issue.

I’ll attach some pictures. Let me know if you need other shots to help answer your questions.

 

[Dbash44]

Here you go. @aapuzzo Ps I would get the dragon ledges for the enclosure if I were you. I didn’t want to spend another $50 or so but I already know it’s going to increase the longevity of the screens. I don’t regret the extra money spent. Protect your investment and spend the extra money. It looks WAY better, too.

Oh and I’ve had no problems with scratching on the acrylic door. I’m petty ocd with it though so just be careful.

First pic is the LED bars that are a part of the frame on the left, back and right top panel.

Second is the power source

Three, four, five and six show how I mounted the mister.

Seven and eight show how the acrylic is mounted in the door. Looks like rivets hold the two halves of the frame together, essentially wedging the acrylic between them.

Nine is a pic of the enclosure after I first finished it. I’ve since added a lot more foliage.

Ten is a picture of the cage (far left) next to the other cages I have which all have screen doors.

 

[cyberlocc]

I'm reeeaaaally curious how that door will turn out with all the misting and humidity necessary for a chameleon.

I've posted on this topic many times before (feels like I'm beating a dead horse) but every time I've used acrylic in high humidity environments, pieces that were not welded on at least 3 sides to other acrylic panels always warped - tremendously. I can't imagine a reputable company like Zoomed isn't aware of/hasn't tested this. Perhaps they solved this issue by using a super strong adhesive to attach the door to a very strong and rigid frame. It doesn't take long for acrylic to warp from moisture so you should find out in less a month. Please keep us posted.

Hmm never knew this. Glad I didn't go with acrylic sliding doors now.

Has this happened to you with cell cast? Or only extruded?

Maybe they just used thin polycarbonate.

 

[skoram]

Hmm never knew this. Glad I didn't go with acrylic sliding doors now.

Has this happened to you with cell cast? Or only extruded?

Maybe they just used thin polycarbonate.

To be honest with you I am not sure because I live in Korea and I have a difficult time reading Korean websites but I believe they were all extruded. Also as a disclaimer, I have never tried putting acrylic doors into a frame of any kind. I have used acrylic sheets up to a half inch thick for aquarium covers and vivarium doors with hinges drilled directly into the acrylic.

I believe if a sheet is secured very firmly in a frame, it may not warp. As long as the edges are kept straight the center will not bow, hence the reason why there are no issues with acrylic aquariums themselves (only the covers).

 

[aapuzzo]

Here you go. @aapuzzo Ps I would get the dragon ledges for the enclosure if I were you. I didn’t want to spend another $50 or so but I already know it’s going to increase the longevity of the screens. I don’t regret the extra money spent. Protect your investment and spend the extra money. It looks WAY better, too.

Oh and I’ve had no problems with scratching on the acrylic door. I’m petty ocd with it though so just be careful.

First pic is the LED bars that are a part of the frame on the left, back and right top panel.

Second is the power source

Three, four, five and six show how I mounted the mister.

Seven and eight show how the acrylic is mounted in the door. Looks like rivets hold the two halves of the frame together, essentially wedging the acrylic between them.

Nine is a pic of the enclosure after I first finished it. I’ve since added a lot more foliage.

Ten is a picture of the cage (far left) next to the other cages I have which all have screen doors.

Thanks for posting this. I think I am going to buy it next week.