got a good start on my custom cham cage! with pics

[SliK JiM]

what are the demensions of ur cage man

The actual enclosure bit is 80cm x 120cm x 180cm with the base bit being another 40 cm. It totals 8' tall!

 

[privdncr]

enclosure!

Impressive.........Most impressive.

 

[SliK JiM]

Thanks! It was pretty cool be able to stand inside it when I was building it! (Before the soil was in obviously! )

 

[kingjohn]

ok i started my fake rock background tonite ive coverd it all in expanding foam and stuck in the 2 branches. i also attempted to stick in some slate but didnt work to great so im guna leave it over night so i can sculpt the rock shapes 2moro then add the slate in after maybe

will get pics 2moro night as theres not that much to update yet

cya 2moro

atb john

 

[kingjohn]

little update

heres some pics of the current state of the background, its had 1 wet coat and 1 stiffer coat so far of tile grout.

Waiting for grout to go off is soooo boringggg lol

testing that it fits nice and snug

this 1 is grouted

gona get off here now and get another coat on


atb john

 

[SliK JiM]

It's looking good so far! I'm looking forward to seeing this finished!

 

[kingjohn]

cheers slik, same here wish grout and glue etc dried instant lol

now ive got on 4coats of grout and put the slates in place just got to leave it over night to silicone the slates in place

but heres a few pics of it looking sort of finished lol

i think once the silicone on the slates has dried ill grout over them joins then just need to varnish over it all

which will just leave me to make the platform for drainage to hide under and same sort of thing to hide the lamp behind and some decor inside

next weekend i hope to move old grumpy in there that will be fun lol

 

[kingjohn]

wow sorry for terrible pics ill get better ones up tomoro

atb john

 

[buddhacham]

Wow, that looks great. Is there live grass at the bottom, and live plants planted in the bottom? I would love to do that if I could be sure drainage would be adequate. Do you have drainage?

 

[kingjohn]

thanks mate, thats actualy just a back board the bottom of my cage is egg crate will be having large pebbles/stones as substrate and a tray under it all to catch the water.

im goin to have the plants in there pots and just put the pebbles round them

should be looking pretty much finished by the weekend so ull see much better

but heres a couple of better pics of the background after i just stuck the slates in, leaves me with 1 more coat of grout just where it needs smoothing over, then some varnish to seal it all up

hope you like

 

[kingjohn]

update on my build, fake rock is now finished grouted and varnished and in place

ive cut the timber for the bit at the top to hide the light and the bottom to hide the drainage tray, just need to join them all, stain and varnish.

saturday im goin out to get some live plant and pebbles for the substrate then ill just leave it setup a week or so making sure everything is fine and aired out ready to move him in

heres some pics

base timber just testing size

so what you all think so far?

any tips or things you would change/add at this stage?


thanks for lookin

john

 

[GoFast]

I think it looks fantastic. I can't wait to see the finished result

 

[Rocky]

I think it looks really awesome. It's a little late for it, but on another members custom backwall they put holes where they could put pots that held different plants like pothos to hang down the side of the wall.

Cant wait to see it with your cham in it

 

[kingjohn]

thanks alot mate! me neither lol i just keep on making bits up as i go along

definately by sunday it will be all furnished and done not sure when ill be getting misting system yet tho but i can spray until i sort that out

atb john

 

[kingjohn]

@rocky i very nearly done that idea aswel but wasnt sure if the plant would survive the heat long so in the end i decide fake hanging plant lol definately want a nice big ficus or umberella plant in there tho for the humidity

thanks again

john

 

[chams1]

This is a VERY nice cage!! If you want, you can ship it to me and I will test it out for you.....

 

[Texas Panther Man]

That is very close to the exact cage i want to build. Too bad your across the pond bro. You could make a killing selling those in the states. if you could figure a way to ship them. Anyways, great work. Your chams going to love that.

 

[kingjohn]

thanks alot mate its been a pleasure to build aswel ill definately make another one if i get another cham anytime soon

but soon as this is done my next priority is my boa needs a 6x3x2 cage made as she out grown her rub

will keep you all updated when this cage is completely finished though

thanks for reading and all the nice comments

hopefuly can help others to get ideas too


atb john

 

[Texas Panther Man]

What kind of boas do you keep? Ive always wanted a green tree boa. Just never could get over the high $$$ price tags. lol

 

[kingjohn]

i only have the one boa shes a common bci 9months old now, the emerald tree is at the top of my wish list but like you said they are expesnisve but also require very acurate conditions and i dont think i have the right space for one where i live atm too much goin on (need a rep room) lol