DIY Double Cage Build

[ERKleRose]

So a tip, as you mentioned a background.

Silicon, and really anything will not stick to liquid rubber. That is one of its biggest disadvantages. The other is it never fully cures, and won't add any strenght, aside of course from the fact Silicon will not stick.

This can be bad and good, for the same reason. When the wood expands and contracts, it can move with it, it can also split due to this and leak.

Another thing to keep in mind, Pond Armor can be thinned for applying, LR cannot, you may think it's cheaper, but it really isn't. It's very very thick, and it will take 2x as much as pond Armor to do the same area. I'm sorry to say, there is no cheap way out of a proper seal, your going to spend a decent chunk of change on that.

A few other options to chew, is Max CLR epoxy, you can get it tinted or keep it clear, it will add strenght, and you can add fiberglass Matt to add more.

And Sweet Water Epoxy Paint. You can do the whole cage with this, and it's the easiest of everything listed to actually apply. It's just like regular paint going on, but it's epoxy and dries as such. You should fiberglass corners for strenght first. Warning on this one, it dries 100% non toxic, it's actually the only product discussed here made for this purpose (Fish tanks, Animal cages) but it's very very toxic before it cures and stinks bad! So plan on painting outside. It is safe after a week of curing, it's made by a company that does fish stuff. This is what Zoos and such use for their large aquariums. It's also, probably the least expensive seeing how much it covers, as a thinner amount is needed. At 85 a gallon, you could probably do the whole proposed cage inside out with 1 gallon.

You could also do a mix, like Sweetwater everything, then also LR the substrate bin for extra security. The biggest issue with the LR, is that silicon won't stick and UV will turn it an ugly color fairly quickly. In the soil bin that doesn't matter.

Also another heads up on that note, just as silicon won't stick to it, it won't stick to silicon. So if you decide to go with LR, do not use silicon anywhere first.

Is Sweet Water Epoxy Paint by Pentair?

 

[ERKleRose]

Okay, here's my revised plans; I made the gap around the door 1/16", put the drainage hole on the bottom, and took out the mini fridge so I could put a bucket there with tubing coming from the drainage holes into it instead.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Avq4a-4tGs4WgaJp6yMK_O_5iPjyhA

 

[ERKleRose]

I’m thinking of using this animal and plant safe spray foam that’s uv resistant as the foam for my background. I’ll spray it and before it dries I’ll press peat moss or coco fiber or some reptile soil premix into it. Thoughts?

 

[ERKleRose]

Has anyone used the Akfix black foam before? Also, is the Sweetwater Epoxy Paint by Pentair?

 

[ERKleRose]

So I’m planning on using the Columbia Forest Products Purebond Hardwood Birch Plywood 1/2” for my plywood for the cage.

 

[ERKleRose]

And I’ll use Pentair Epoxy Paint in white to seal all of the wood and probably the Akfix Black Foam for the background

 

[ERKleRose]

Should I use plywood or MDF for the bins and backs? Both would be sealed with epoxy. Just want some opinions because MDF is half the price of the plywood I would get, and this cage will already be over $500 without it

 

[Decadancin]

I would consider cost there, especially because the panel will not be so visible. Either choice needs to be sealed well, so $$$$ is going to be the deciding factor, in my opinion.

 

[Decadancin]

The birch plywood does have a great look (if it is the one I am thinking of). I made my frame out of red oak because I needed a wood grain that resembled my furniture more closely. That of course raised the price a ton ...

 

[ERKleRose]

Ya, I was thinking MDF, especially since it’ll be a white epoxy, so no wood grain would be visible

 

[ERKleRose]

So the actual interior dimensions of each cage are 33” long, 33” wide and 78” tall, should I make the cages longer to 51” and wider to 39”?

 

[ERKleRose]

So the actual interior dimensions of each cage are 33” long, 33” wide and 78” tall, should I make the cages longer to 51” and wider to 39”?

It would take the interior chameleon-usable space from 30” long, 30” wide, and 60” tall to 4’ long, 3’ wide, and 5’ tall

 

[Decadancin]

I personally like the wider space, but would not want it too deep. You need to be able to easily clean and reach everything so keep that in mind when planning.

 

[ERKleRose]

I personally like the wider space, but would not want it too deep. You need to be able to easily clean and reach everything so keep that in mind when planning.

There’ll be a custom background that’ll take 6-8 inches off the width, thanks!

 

[Decadancin]

I can't wait to see the build!

 

[ERKleRose]

Here’s a pressing question: build 2 MASSIVE enclosures or build 4 enclosures of my original dimensions that are still a decent size and get 2 more chameleons?

 

[April McGregor]

Here’s a pressing question: build 2 MASSIVE enclosures or build 4 enclosures of my original dimensions that are still a decent size and get 2 more chameleons?

Ooo, I personally would go with the 2 MASSIVE to give the Chams luxurious spacious enclosures. Not sure how your designing it but you could always go with the 2 big ones and if you feel like the space isn't being used much, downsize to 4.

 

[ERKleRose]

Ooo, I personally would go with the 2 MASSIVE to give the Chams luxurious spacious enclosures. Not sure how your designing it but you could always go with the 2 big ones and if you feel like the space isn't being used much, downsize to 4.

One of mine is a giant boy and the other one is so curious, so I know they’ll both use the whole enclosure in the massive cages. I’m limited in room because I’m forced to have non free range (aka everything except for cats and dogs) pets in the office only. I’ve got a huge 150 gallon turtle tank in there, along with 2 freshwater and 1 of my saltwater tanks, all my feeders, chams, and all of my pet supplies for everything above crammed in there. I’m also building pvc pipe cages for the chams’ outdoor time. So I can’t have 4 massive cages. Decisions, decisions...

 

[ERKleRose]

I think I’ll do the two massive cages instead of 4 original dimensions cages to save some remnants of my bank account. If (i.e. when) the time comes for more chameleons, I’ll figure out something so I can fit 2 more massive cages in the pet room (office).

 

[CJ's Exotics]

My question is, why press background mix while the foam is still curing? I think you have more control over the design, and waterproofing is better, when you shave it, then silicone, then apply background mix. Shaving does not take that much time.