glass type?

[Justin Carl]

Ok I am in the process of building 6 large chameleon cages.
I was thinking of putting in glass.....
Yes, I know what you are thinking, but I'm using opaque(sp) glass.
The type that you put in bathrooms.
The reason I am using this is becuase the cages will be next to eachother or in a wall corner.
The side that will be next to a wall cant get air flow anyways so why not make that side have glass?
This way misting sessions will not get the wall wet and help to keep humidity up.
has anyone done this before? any suggestions?

 

[Vegas Chad]

I would not use glass... Go to Lowes and get the plastic covers that are for the big light packs used in stores or homes... Know what im talking about? opaque, easy to cut, and alot less the cost of glass...

 

[Justin Carl]

I can get glass for free.
I use to work for a glass company, and had a "issue" with them.
so, i can get windshields and plate glass for free.
I almost lost my hand.......

 

[Chris Anderson]

It can be done but you need to take special care to make sure appropriate air flow is occurring and that the enclosure is able to dry out appropriately between misting sessions. If you look at this design, you will see that I use 3 solid sides with the top and front with screen: http://www.chameleonnews.com/diycage.html If you have a ceiling fan or an oscillating fan going in the room, airflow will increase if you are having difficulty with it.

Chris

 

[Justin Carl]

Yea, I have read that several times.
I'm leaning more to individual cages.
That way moving and stuff will be easier.
I do have fans in my room and my computer room, but some of the cages will be kept in the garage.
So, I will have to set something like that up.
I figured i would put glass on the sides, and bring the cages about a foot from the wall.
That way 3 sides will be screen. Front, back, and top.

 

[EVAtheGREAT]

So Justin you know that glass can be bad. You gave someone a hard time in one of the other topics for using glass. I say why even take the chance whether its free or not. You MAY put your Chams health at risk and besides you can build a cage for under a $100. I say nay and think what a waste of time and then the risks you MAY BE taking. I guess with the glass the way you say it may not be SO bad but I guess to each his own. Let me know how that turns out for you.

 

[EVAtheGREAT]

I have a friend that wants to build a cage the same way but use plexi-glass and drill air holes in it. Thats why I commented the way I did on this thread. I just think it's more time and more work, and more cleaning when that time comes.

 

[Chris Anderson]

So Justin you know that glass can be bad. You gave someone a hard time in one of the other topics for using glass. I say why even take the chance whether its free or not. You are gonna put your Chams health at risk and besides you can build a cage for under a $100. I say nay and think what a waste of time and then the risks you are taking. I guess with the glass the way you say it may not be SO bad but I guess to each his own. Let me know how that turns out for you.

Screen can be bad too if it isn't used properly. Glass can and is frequently used in a complete safe manner. In Europe, etc., it is often the standard means of keeping chameleons. In these cases, however, their enclosure design is fundamentally different then glass enclosures which are designed and available here in the US. Thus, the typical available glass enclosures in the US are not suitable for most arboreal chameleons while those in Europe which are designed quite differently are. With properly designed glass enclosures, provided care is taken in certain areas, they can be used quite effectively and safely, just as with properly designed screened enclosures, provided care it taken in certain areas, they too can be used quite effectively and safely. In both cases, even well designed enclosures can be dangerous if the proper care precautions aren't used. The way Justin is talking about doing this enclosure is actually quite safe with the precautions I made to him and typical monitoring that would be required in either case so you shouldn't be so fast to brush with broad and unfortunately naive strokes claiming recklessness with the wellbeing of his animals.

Chris

 

[Lost Lake Chameleons]

Screen can be bad too if it isn't used properly. Glass can and is frequently used in a complete safe manner. In Europe, etc., it is often the standard means of keeping chameleons. In these cases, however, their enclosure design is fundamentally different then glass enclosures which are designed and available here in the US. Thus, the typical available glass enclosures in the US are not suitable for most arboreal chameleons while those in Europe which are designed quite differently are. With properly designed glass enclosures, provided care is taken in certain areas, they can be used quite effectively and safely, just as with properly designed screened enclosures, provided care it taken in certain areas, they too can be used quite effectively and safely. In both cases, even well designed enclosures can be dangerous if the proper care precautions aren't used. The way Justin is talking about doing this enclosure is actually quite safe with the precautions I made to him and typical monitoring that would be required in either case so you shouldn't be so fast to brush with broad and unfortunately naive strokes claiming recklessness with the wellbeing of his animals.

Chris

ZZZzzz.......

 

[Brad Ramsey]

ZZZzzz.......

Ha!
Be nice.

Justin, I think the plan sounds fine.
I know you're in Florida though, and that makes me wonder about summer.
Will there be any issues keeping your chameleons cool enough? Two or three solid walls will make a difference in temperature.

-Brad

 

[Justin Carl]

So Justin you know that glass can be bad. You gave someone a hard time in one of the other topics for using glass. I say why even take the chance whether its free or not. You are gonna put your Chams health at risk and besides you can build a cage for under a $100. I say nay and think what a waste of time and then the risks you are taking. I guess with the glass the way you say it may not be SO bad but I guess to each his own. Let me know how that turns out for you.

Like what was said by Chris A. what I'm doing is safe.
EVAtheGREAT their is a huge difference in a whole glass cage and a screen cage.
The sides that would be glass on this cage will be against a wall or against another cage.
So, they wont be getting any airflow anyways.
The glass I'm using will also not give of a reflection of the animal inside.
Stress will not be a factor either.
The rise in temperature with glass can be fixed with a lower wattage bulb.
I wouldnt expect it to be much, seeing that the cages werent getting any airflow being in a wall corner or next to eachother.

The way Justin is talking about doing this enclosure is actually quite safe with the precautions I made to him and typical monitoring that would be required in either case so you shouldn't be so fast to brush with broad and unfortunately naive strokes claiming recklessness with the wellbeing of his animals. Thank you Chris

 

[Cainschams]

I was also wondering about airflow. I am going to use the basics of the plans chris has with a few mods to make it fit my needs. I personally think these are the best plans I have seen not sucking up and I know that there arent really many plans out there. But I live in Maryland where In spring, summer and fall I can take my guys out according to temp. Sometimes it gets really hot and muggy out here though so I need to make it easy to move which I have covered. The three side thing is what has been making me wonder about the airflow. Inside should be alright but outside is a different story. I was thinking about using screen for the back too. I do inground sprinklers so I have a lot of access to drip irrigation which does what it is called. So inside I can have it drip over the cages instead of spray and get outside of the cages wet. Do you guys think this will be sufficient airflow and a good way of dealing with the prob. Not to steal the thread but maybe to give more options to someone who views it. Thanks for your time.

 

[EVAtheGREAT]

"The way Justin is talking about doing this enclosure is actually quite safe with the precautions I made to him and typical monitoring that would be required in either case so you shouldn't be so fast to brush with broad and unfortunately naive strokes claiming recklessness with the wellbeing of his animals."

Just for the record I never said he WAS bad at taking care of his animals, or that he was a bad caregiver. I was simply stating that IT COULD BE A BAD THING, besides just because you think you know everything doesn't mean you do, AND on top of that we are all friends here giving friendly advice to fellow Cham owners. Justin I never meant anything bad towards you I hope you know that. I have been a Cham owner since I was a young child and I do know a lot more than I let on. Reason being that SOME people don't think other member's should give their opinions and that only the care they recommend is the only suitable option

 

[Justin Carl]

Well, all of what was said was a bit hostile, but I do not regret it.
All I would just like to say, think befor you type.
When cages are side by side with a visual barrier between them, so their can be no air flow. So instead of using plastic just use glass.
All of the areas of concern were taken care of by pulling the cages a foot from the wall, and a fan will be used.
Several species of arboreal chameleons can be kept in glass cages too.
Everyone here on this forum is friends, but their will always be disagreement.
I do apoligize for what I said.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Justin,

What species are you planning to keep in these enclosures?
I'm mostly curious to know what direction you're taking with the hobby.

-Brad

 

[Justin Carl]

One step at a time, but Panther, Veileds, and Montains(sp).

 

[Chris Anderson]

Just for the record I never said he WAS bad at taking care of his animals, or that he was a bad caregiver.

No, you never said he was a bad keeper, just that "you are gonna put your Chams health at risk" and proceeded to, IMO, exaggerate the risk of his particular cage design and use of glass enclosures.

I was simply stating that IT COULD BE A BAD THING,

It very well could be but keeping chams in captivity at all isn't ideal and as with all proven methods, when done correctly (which it seems Justin's design would) it should not adversely impact the chams any more then a screen enclosure would.

besides just because you think you know everything doesn't mean you do, AND on top of that we are all friends here giving friendly advice to fellow Cham owners.

I learn things all the time working with chams, talking to people about their experiences and reading new material. There are a number of methods to keeping chameleons which work when done properly and I try to be fairly opened minded about them. When those methods are approached poorly without consideration to the drawbacks is when I would criticize. In this case, it seems to me that the use of glass in Justin's enclosure would work quite well as an indoor enclosure.

I have been a Cham owner since I was a young child and I do know a lot more than I let on. Reason being that SOME people don't think other member's should give their opinions and that only the care they recommend is the only suitable option

Feel free to give your opinions and recommendations. Its always nice to have people on the boards who have been successfully keeping chams for some time. As has been said, there are going to be differences in opinion from time to time but as long as you are thorough in explaining your criticism of other people (such as explaining why you think Justin's cage is flawed), some fairly good discussions can emerge as a result.

Chris

 

[Lost Lake Chameleons]

No, you never said he was a bad keeper, just that "you are gonna put your Chams health at risk" and proceeded to, IMO, exaggerate the risk of his particular cage design and use of glass enclosures.



It very well could be but keeping chams in captivity at all isn't ideal and as with all proven methods, when done correctly (which it seems Justin's design would) it should not adversely impact the chams any more then a screen enclosure would.



I learn things all the time working with chams, talking to people about their experiences and reading new material. There are a number of methods to keeping chameleons which work when done properly and I try to be fairly opened minded about them. When those methods are approached poorly without consideration to the drawbacks is when I would criticize. In this case, it seems to me that the use of glass in Justin's enclosure would work quite well as an indoor enclosure.



Feel free to give your opinions and recommendations. Its always nice to have people on the boards who have been successfully keeping chams for some time. As has been said, there are going to be differences in opinion from time to time but as long as you are thorough in explaining your criticism of other people (such as explaining why you think Justin's cage is flawed), some fairly good discussions can emerge as a result.

Chris

ZZZzzz.........

 

[pedro92]

So Justin you know that glass can be bad. You gave someone a hard time in one of the other topics for using glass. I say why even take the chance whether its free or not. You are gonna put your Chams health at risk and besides you can build a cage for under a $100. I say nay and think what a waste of time and then the risks you are taking. I guess with the glass the way you say it may not be SO bad but I guess to each his own. Let me know how that turns out for you.

My cage was only about 65$ for the wood. Here is the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/zillas-new-custom-cage-8877/

 

[Will Hayward]

Justin, first you say that you are looing for easy to move cages, but then you are wanting heavy glass. Not the most logical two points to be made. I'll second the vote for plastic be it corrugated PVC board, or a fabroc like type. You could actually buy screen cages and replace some of the sides with a plastic fabric.