Cage idea. Also hi just joined.

[Devokid]

I like the looks of the second cage that you drew. Linear UVB bulbs work better (provide more UVB rays) and they distribute it over a larger area.
That hanging cage looks good on paper, but I also think that it will be more complicated than you think.
Most of us water our chameleons with an automatic misting system and/or a dripping system. It is really nice to have a tub for the excess water to drain into and makes for easy cleaning. But, it is your cage. As long as all the requirements are met, your chameleon should do well either style.

 

[leedragon]

how ever they work or not they look fantastic and you should really make those, if they don´t work for chamelons they will make absolotly stuning vivarium for your plants

 

[Chance Leon G]

great art idea

First let me say I think your art idea is awesome.
I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth after reading your ideas. I too am working out a new cage design. I will probably will go more traditional, but custom size. I am not a welder. I was a carpenter and GC for 25 years and now am an electrician. Done a few art projects as well, studio work, etc.
My concern for your choice of materials is weight. If you can put all the materials on a scale or just try to pick them up before you build it. You may save a lot of trouble. Hanging is a cool look, but most house, apartment or condo ceiling framing joists are not going to hold very much extra weight without cracking the drywall or sagging. I was making this assessment by the photos of your proposed art design. My best advice is to put it on the floor.
Another small point is that feeders can get out of the smallest spaces, hence most vivariums use a type of screen or glass. That said, there are special feeder trays that are escape proof. My Cam likes to hunt down crickets free range more than eating out of a bowl. I give him a variety of feeders which it appears he prefers I hand feed him. Go figure, who knew the reptile brain was so diverse. Just look at the stories in this forum.
Best of luck, please post pics of your project.
Greg

 

[Gomugomuking]

longwinded? i apologize

first i want to say thanks guys this kind of feedback is exactly what i was looking for. i was skeptical of the kind of criticism i would receive by subscribing to a forum but its turned out great. so you might be asking your self "why doesn't this hippy just get a regular cage and settup that has been proven to work for taking care of chameleons?"

well i apologize for being a little difficult/stubborn with my ideas. but i alread have Red eye tree frogs that im planning on breeding, and some leopard geckos and the wife is sick of "glass boxes taking over the house" she says they are eye sores. but with a hanging plant and an ornamental cage design it would look more decorative. so thats the goal. the primary goal is to not sacrifice the well being of the cham. im not gonna put him in something that 'aww that looks so cute!' but is not good for the cham.

I like the looks of the second cage that you drew. Linear UVB bulbs work better (provide more UVB rays) and they distribute it over a larger area.
That hanging cage looks good on paper, but I also think that it will be more complicated than you think.
Most of us water our chameleons with an automatic misting system and/or a dripping system. It is really nice to have a tub for the excess water to drain into and makes for easy cleaning. But, it is your cage. As long as all the requirements are met, your chameleon should do well either style.

Im glad you like it. I am going to depend on this forum, for, i have never owned a cham. so i can't say things like 'this won't work because' so i need you guys to tell me that stuff when i bring it to the table. so once i problem is pointed out and can build a solution. the last thing i want is to build something that doesn't work. thats why im taking my time building it on paper.

i will look into building it equipped with a linear UVB. and i agree with you i know it will be more complicated than what i think. over the span of some planning i hope to: come up with a design and un"complicate" it as much as possible.

i did not know about the dripping systems. that explains the tubes Lathis mentioned. i will have to do some more thinking but as far as what i have researched, the amount of water i would be using with a dripping system in a day would be about the amount i would use to water the tree im thinking of using. so if i could get that to coexist that would be awesome. i will have to find a way to make the wires sightly. im sure i can come up with something.

how ever they work or not they look fantastic and you should really make those, if they don´t work for chamelons they will make absolotly stuning vivarium for your plants

Thanks. i hope it does work, but you are right if something happens to where i cant get a cham, it will look nice in the house anyhow. thats makes me feel better thinking about it.

What's impractical in my opinion: The having to slide the screen up and down. Hanging cages may swing - probably won't make your chameleon comfortable. Cords, tubes, etc hanging all around it. It's not going to look clean like you have drawn. Its going to be incredibly heavy with plants. You will likely need more than a hook in the ceiling stud - look into support boxes for ceiling fans that span between joists.

Again, just my opinion. It's your cage and you know your capabilities.

First let me say I think your art idea is awesome.
I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth after reading your ideas. I too am working out a new cage design. I will probably will go more traditional, but custom size. I am not a welder. I was a carpenter and GC for 25 years and now am an electrician. Done a few art projects as well, studio work, etc.
My concern for your choice of materials is weight. If you can put all the materials on a scale or just try to pick them up before you build it. You may save a lot of trouble. Hanging is a cool look, but most house, apartment or condo ceiling framing joists are not going to hold very much extra weight without cracking the drywall or sagging. I was making this assessment by the photos of your proposed art design. My best advice is to put it on the floor.
Another small point is that feeders can get out of the smallest spaces, hence most vivariums use a type of screen or glass. That said, there are special feeder trays that are escape proof. My Cam likes to hunt down crickets free range more than eating out of a bowl. I give him a variety of feeders which it appears he prefers I hand feed him. Go figure, who knew the reptile brain was so diverse. Just look at the stories in this forum.
Best of luck, please post pics of your project.
Greg

Yeah now that im thinking about it you guys are right, it will be really heavy huh? if i cant hang it from the ceiling, maybe i could make up a stand for it to hang from. i dunno ill work on eliminating unnecessary weight.

hopefully i can work the screen out in a way that sliding it down is as simple as lifting the screen top off of my geckos tank when i need to do that.

thanks Chance Leon. your 2 cents is gladly welcomed. be sure to link your cage build. id be interested in seeing it.

My Tree Frogs Prefer hunting too. i think thats the best if possible, i mean they are in a cage so it gives em something to do. so i was hoping to be able to fabricate a tight fit. if i can make that screen cylinder fit smoothly enough, and tightly enough then hopefully that would solve the problem of spaces for them to escape. im not sure if you can tell in the picture on not but i am planning to have it completely screened. just you would be able to remove the screen when there werent any feeders in there to keep contained.


im gonna try befriending you guys on here if you have any photos i could look at your current settups im sure i would learn alot

once again, thanks.