Converting Audio Cabnient into Chameleon Cage?

Thats what is awesome about making your own cage. You can deaign it to be a showpiece in your home. While still being good for the animal also. I bought a screen cage from LLL to start with. But I am looking for the right style and size cabinet or armoir that i can convert this spring. Good Luck
 
So I am still torn about how to waterpoof the enclosure, I talked to a few local reptile hobbyists yesterday and they said a good waterproof paint over the laminte will make it waterproof, but I need paint with low VOC's?

I am working on the enclosure again this Sunday, hoping to get the rest of the enclosure cut and painted, and work on the drainage.
 
all i can do is give my opinion, but i have done alot of work invoving boats and such and i dont think that a waterproof paint will do the job, further i was under the impression (and i have to admit that i did not read every post in the thread and still havent), that the structure was made from plywood , if the structure is made from particle board, i dont think there is any think you can use that will work well enough, , you might be better off just biting the bullet and buying a regular cham cage, if you are set on the idea of building a cage , you might be better starting from scratch. ps just for the record particle board emits formaldehyde fumes. jmo
 
Or you can go to the free classifieds section in craigslist and find an audio cabinet/armoir/entertainment center that is made out of plywood instead of particle board. Oh by the way, do you mean particle board or press board?
 
Not sure, it's the wood that looks like cork. I am using this cabinent one way or another, like I said it matches everything else I have and is perfect size.
 
Not sure, it's the wood that looks like cork. I am using this cabinent one way or another, like I said it matches everything else I have and is perfect size.
The cabinent also matches the rest of my furniture, which is the main reason I want to use it, even if it takes a bit of work.

While your at it, why not throw in a waterfall. You don't know how those two comments make me cringe. You are making it clear that you are taking aesthetics as your primary concerns and not the well being of the chameleon. I'm not saying you can't have nice cages. But in order to do so it must be done right. That means using the proper materials (particalboard is not one of them. Don't believe me, just google 'the dangers of using particleboard') and I can't see how that can be done for $20 as you stated.
Sorry to sound mean, I'm just trying to save a chameleon from unnecessary harm!
The tank won't be soaked, just the occasional misting, and the dripper going.
Any little bit of moister will set off the formaldehyde fumes in particleboards that can be deadly to your cham. An occasional good soaking is needed for chameleons. That's not possible if you insist on using particleboard. I'm sure if you apply enough resin and laminate on cardboard it can suffice to be made into a cage. Really that's all particleboard is, unrefined cardboard (plus w/ all the harmful chemicals). Just because one can, doesn't mean one should.
 
I did a bit of research on the formaldehyde issue, it says that the fumes are only present for up to 5 years, the cabinet is much older than that, being purchased in 2002.

I decided to line the inside with plywood all the way around, this way I can still have the outside look like my other furniture, I am treating the wood tomorrow with low voc waterproof acylic paint and a poly sealer.
 
If you don't have the cash to build a proper cage how do you expect to provide the care a chameleon needs well respected people on the forum have said the dangers of useing it as a cage and you still think your smarter than they are. If I was you I wouldn't bring up future problems with the health of your cham GOOD LUCK. Just remember what the meaning of Karma is Hope it don't come back and bite you.
 
Kinda harsh there Dj. He said he was going to line the inside with plywood and then seal it. I think that he should be ok going that route. Personally i wouldn't use that cabinet. Jmo but I think he could find something made of soild wood and cut the siddes and top out of it. If your going to line the cabinet it would be easier to just build a niece wood cage and stain and seal it.
 
I think you could successfully waterproof it....but to do so is likely to affect the way the cabinet looks because there is a lot of moisture involved in keeping a chameleon and water will get places you don't anticipate. That will drive you to waterproof areas you hadn't planned to waterproof.

I'm all in favor of the DIY project. I do think you should have a back up plan in mind if it seems like you can't keep the furniture pretty while keeping the chameleon healthy.
 
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Look guys I am not doing this because I am short on cash, it matches all my other furniture, so I am trying to make the best of it.

If this doesn't work out I have no problem buying or building from scratch a new screened enclosure, I am not going to put a cham into a harmful enviorment. I have been keeping reptiles and other animals for years, and have owned chameleons before.

Here's a picture of the enclosure before I lined the inside with plywood, and before I cut out the "windows" for the back and sides. I have a ficus growing right now but it's dying, might look for another type of plant.

2vm9fld.jpg
 
That does not look like particle board, it looks like a regular sheet of wood :) Might I suggest a hibiscus? They are very easy to keep. If you do get one though, don't be alarmed if it starts loosing leaves, it is adjusting to indoor life.
 
That does not look like particle board, it looks like a regular sheet of wood :) Might I suggest a hibiscus? They are very easy to keep. If you do get one though, don't be alarmed if it starts loosing leaves, it is adjusting to indoor life.

The back is plywood, the picture is before I lined the sides with the plywood.

I thought hibisus was harmful?
 
Hibiscus are great! They can be consumed and have lots of vitamin C. Veileds tend to like eating the flowers. :)
 
Hibiscus are great! They can be consumed and have lots of vitamin C. Veileds tend to like eating the flowers. :)

What PSSH said. They are very nutritious and some people even chose to eat the flowers. I made Molly eat them when I got her for some extra nutrition.
 
Kinda harsh there Dj. He said he was going to line the inside with plywood and then seal it. I think that he should be ok going that route. Personally i wouldn't use that cabinet. Jmo but I think he could find something made of soild wood and cut the siddes and top out of it. If your going to line the cabinet it would be easier to just build a niece wood cage and stain and seal it.
Ya but the humidity will still get to it he getting pissy when people give him advise.
 
I think the plant will be happy with the light from the bulb.

I'm so happy to hear you have had chameleons before because that means you know how much water is really involved. We destroyed 2 particle board table tops just because the cages were on them and the "mist" got on them and the "drip" bounced off to get on them....These were not part of the cages...the cages were just on the tables and I had drip containment fairly well worked out....but, as I'm sure you know having had chameleons, water travels and tends to find the most vulnerable place to make itself known.
 
I recommend using grow lights, makes a huge difference in the overall health of all of the plants.
 
Alright, I am looking for a dual light fixture but not having any luck finding an affordable one, any ideas?
 
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