Custom screen cage...

[seaneeeg]

Ok, im coming off a real bad experience with a cage distributor, whom i cannot post their name on this forum...so now im looking for a screen cage, you know a typical 24"x24"x48" but i want the option of having a solid back wall...all black would be nice, screen and all! But they seem difficult to find with this custom option, that is unless you order from the stinkpot that i ordered from in which u get plenty of options...but no cage! Does anyone know where i could get a customizable screen cage? BTW u all have been sooo helpful! Thank you!

 

[seaneeeg]

also if anyone knows how or where to buy a sheet of pvc i guess i could put a back wall in myself. Has ayone done that or might know how to or where to get pvc sheets, or how to even fasten it to the back screen wall?! Thanx

 

[audiorazor]

Found this looking through old posts. They sell sheets custom sized and shipped.

http://freckleface.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/pvcsheet.html

 

[seaneeeg]

Wow thankyou for your help!!!

 

[Augustine]

I'm not sure about the cost because I had left over material from work but u can buy laminate counter top (lowes might have off cuts from jobs for sale)
U can cut it on a table saw and u can get some neat colours
It's under 1/8 thick as well

 

[seaneeeg]

Very nice! Gonna look into both of these options! Been a GREAT help!!!! Thank you!

 

[Olimpia]

I made mine using shower liner, which are basically large acrylic sheets in white. I spray painted them a charcoal-metalic gray and my cages looked awesome with them taped up to the back of the cage. Really makes the chameleons and the plants pop.

These sheets come fairly large, something like 4' x 8', which means that I got exactly 4 cages out of one sheet, which is exactly what I needed for under $20 at Lowe's.

 

[KyleFitzz]

Do the shower liners help you out with humidity too? I have a mistking system hooked into a aqua zamp raindome and it's amazing! I also run a humidifier but I was thinking that I may not need to run the humidifier during the day if the liner helps with that

 

[Olimpia]

Yes, definitely. Any time you close off one of the screen sides you keep in humidity, since it's not escaping out of every side. I only did the back but you could do the back 3 sides and leave just the top and front open screen, you'd still have plenty of airflow but your temps and humidity would probably remain more stable.

And it adds extra privacy for your chameleon, so he doesn't have to see you from every angle if his cage is in a slightly busy place like a living room. Great for shy or scared animals.

 

[KyleFitzz]

Oh my thanks you're great!

 

[seaneeeg]

SWEET!!! How did you cut the sheets? Razor blades or will scissors work?

 

[nightanole]

SWEET!!! How did you cut the sheets? Razor blades or will scissors work?

I razor blade score it then snap. Some times you might have to lightly run the blade down the snap line because it didnt quite go all the way.


PS you can get poli-wall or duo-board or some other panel meant for motor homes/bath rooms for $40 a 4x8 sheet at lowes/home depot

 

[Olimpia]

Yep, pretty much. I used an X-acto and a metal ruler to get the straight edge, the material cuts really easily.

 

[seaneeeg]

How do you fasten it to the sides or back of the screen?

 

[NorCalAnthony]

You could also make a fake rock wall for less than $40. All you need is a sheet of styrafoam insulation from Lowes or Home Depot (they sell 4' x 8' sheets), a couple tubes of caulk, a can of rock textured spray paint, and an acrylic sealant. Here's what mine wound up looking like https://www.chameleonforums.com/diy-chameleon-mansion-build-102657/