Combining cages??

[KrinsCham]

Wondering if anyone has combined three 16”x16”x30” zoo med screen enclosures? This would make an enclosure that measures 30” wide x 16” deep x 46”tall.

This would not be sitting on the ground, it pile be off the ground about 18-24”, putting his basking spots above eye level.

I recently rescued an adolescent veiled chameleon and know the standard size hen to them is 24”x24”. He came in a 16x16x30” and I was just given two more of the exact cages. I want to give him more side to side space so I can have multiple tall plants and basking spots.

Picture is missing one cage as that is current home, but this is the idea.

Thoughts ? Suggestions?

 

[KrinsCham]

Wondering if anyone has combined three 16”x16”x30” zoo med screen enclosures? This would make an enclosure that measures 30” wide x 16” deep x 46”tall. I could stack the three cages side ways and make a 30”W x 16” deep x 48” tall also.

This would not be sitting on the ground, it pile be off the ground about 18-24”, putting his basking spots above eye level.

I recently rescued an adolescent veiled chameleon and know the standard size hen to them is 24”x24”. He came in a 16x16x30” and I was just given two more of the exact cages. I want to give him more side to side space so I can have multiple tall plants and basking spots.

Picture is missing one cage as that is current home, but this is the idea.

Thoughts ? Suggestions?

 

[Gloriawood]

I don’t know about three of this size, but I believe @MissSkittles combined 2 2x2x4 for all her chams

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. I keep all of my crew in double wides which consist of two screen enclosures side by side and attached with wire or itty bitty hinges. (Was all I could find at Lowe’s) I have done mine the simplest way I could think of as I started before this came out. https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/ The biggest challenges for me have been a gap between the two due to rounded protruding screw heads. To compensate, I sink the screws in and/or swap them out for ones with a flatter head. The other challenge is also due to the gap and its drainage. All of my enclosures are bioactive, so I just have heavy duty plastic spanning the gap beneath my root pouch & substrate. I haven’t ever specifically taken any pics while combining enclosures, but will add what shows the best.
If I were you, I’d just attach all three, side by side. The width will compensate for the shorter height and depth. Although, if you can find a fourth one, make them into a cube. That would be cool. Hope I’ve been of some help. Let me know if you have any questions I might be able to help with.

 

[KrinsCham]

Thanks for the reply! Love the little hinge idea. Also now going have to take a deep dive into creating a bioactive bottom, how do you keep it from getting to soggy over time? Thanks again appreciate the info

 

[MissSkittles]

Thanks for the reply! Love the little hinge idea. Also now going have to take a deep dive into creating a bioactive bottom, how do you keep it from getting to soggy over time? Thanks again appreciate the info

I use root pouches, which kind of breath and prevent sogginess. If using a watertight box/holder, you’ll need to install a way to siphon excess water out from the drainage layer. This is what I used as a guide in setting up bioactive. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/intro-to-bio-activity.2429/ My first set ups I followed as close to possible. Now, I just toss stuff in. It’s much easier than it looks and sounds.
Once you figure out what you’ll use to contain your substrate, you’ll start with a drainage layer of either clay balls or lava rock. If not using a root pouches, you’ll need to get some pvc pipe with a cap and notch one end. It will need to be taller than your substrate depth. Place this first and then your drainage rocks. I use landscape fabric to separate my layers, cut so that it will go up the sides and prevent soil from getting thru. This is what you want it to look like. Without setting up the drainage layer and all that, you’ll just end up with stagnant mud.

 

[KrinsCham]

Thank you. I really appreciate the information and insights. Definitely will try this at some point in my new guys lifetime. This next home/cage set up I’m sure won’t be his last. So cool to see how far Cham care has come in the last decade. Love seeing everyone going all in on spoiling their Chams.
Cheers Miss Skittles thank you