Custom Enclosure Supplies

[TheMusicalCham]

Your enclosure is very pretty, I think I am going to use a maple or poplar frame.

Thanks! It was a Christmas gift from my dad lol

 

[NorCalAnthony]

Are these the products you were talking about @NorCalAnthony? Also, is there a safe woods list for chameleons? And did you mean Red Oak or Red Wood? And I can apply the flex seal and maybe marine grade paint on top of the polyurethane, right?

I used the Rustoleum spray can polyurethane but the Minwax you have the picture of should work fine too. The Flex Seal that I saw recommended on the Koi Pond & Aquarium forums was the liquid version, not the spray can version. Not sure what the actual difference is other than the liquid version specifically says it's animal safe once dry (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flex-Seal-32-fl-oz-White-Dip-Rubberized-Coating/1000097854). As for the marine grade paint, I haven't used it myself so I don't have a specific brand or tips on what to look for. @Millwright used it in his custom enclosure build he's got going and it looks really good so I thought I'd throw it out there as an option. Maybe he can chime in with a better recommendation...

You could also do a plastic bottom like Jacksjill and I mentioned earlier and if you're leaving the floor bare, that might be a better way to go from a cleaning point of view. If you wanted to go that route I would build your cage, stain and seal it, and then add the plastic pieces to the bottom with some aquarium grade silicone along all of the edges/seams. Or another option would be to build your cage dimensions to where you could drop in a masonry mixing tub (https://www.lowes.com/pd/MacCourt-Drywall-Mud-Pans/1054711). I wound up using a 24" x 36" version in my big DIY cage since I was having issues with water escaping the plastic tray from a dog kennel that I was using at the time.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I'm not sure about this, it is just an option, but would Hardiesoffit work? Thank you for your help!!! Happy New Year!!! !

 

[NorCalAnthony]

I don't have any experience with that stuff but what I gleaned from a quick Google search it looks like it could be a good option for the interior sides of the cage but i would probably still do a plastic/PVC bottom where the water collects. And no worries I'm more than happy to help when I can like most other people on here. I built my first couple of cages with zero experience and a lot of questions so I know exactly how you feel right now lol. Happy New Years

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I don't have any experience with that stuff but what I gleaned from a quick Google search it looks like it could be a good option for the interior sides of the cage but i would probably still do a plastic/PVC bottom where the water collects. And no worries I'm more than happy to help when I can like most other people on here. I built my first couple of cages with zero experience and a lot of questions so I know exactly how you feel right now lol. Happy New Years

You too! It is so weird in person, but it is so cheap I might as well try it. It is fiber and cement, and feels like it would absorb moisture, but it apparently doesn't. Interesting...

 

[YoshiTheChameleon17]

I don't have any experience with that stuff but what I gleaned from a quick Google search it looks like it could be a good option for the interior sides of the cage but i would probably still do a plastic/PVC bottom where the water collects. And no worries I'm more than happy to help when I can like most other people on here. I built my first couple of cages with zero experience and a lot of questions so I know exactly how you feel right now lol. Happy New Years

Man oh man I wish I could see the photos you posted of your custom enclosure! We’re getting ready to build my veiled a custom cage!

 

[NorCalAnthony]

Man oh man I wish I could see the photos you posted of your custom enclosure! We’re getting ready to build my veiled a custom cage!

Here's a pic of the smaller 24x18x36 Exo Terra cage with the custom planter box I made and a pic of the big 36x24x54 DIY cage that I made a couple of years ago. I have a build thread on here for the big DIY cage that I did a couple years back if you want more info.

 

[YoshiTheChameleon17]

Here's a pic of the smaller 24x18x36 Exo Terra cage with the custom planter box I made and a pic of the big 36x24x54 DIY cage that I made a couple of years ago. I have a build thread on here for the big DIY cage that I did a couple years back if you want more info.

You did an amazing job! I saw the post but all the photos are blocked so I can’t see them! But I’m wanting to build one for my veiled and I think I can get a pretty good idea of how to on these photos here! Thank you!