I need some ideas on attaching items to the glass terranium.
- Thread starter mjhandy
- Start date
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
Aquarium silicone or, my personal favorite, cans of spray foam. Id make a panel for each surface you want to cover using expanding foam. While the foam is tacky place your pots like you want them and then cover the outside of them with foam in a way that will secure it where you want it on your panel. I don't know the weight but I have a 12"x10" pot foamed into my wall for years, its heavy and hasn't budged since the install. Once the foam dries you can spray it with stone texture spray paint, looks like expensive terrarium décor but can be done for less than $20. I get way more complements and pride building these than any décor I ever bought!
I never use suction cups because at some point they always fall for one reason or another, good way to kill your chams.
I never use suction cups because at some point they always fall for one reason or another, good way to kill your chams.
Attachments
broderp
Avid Member
Suction cups are your friend. I use them to hold up my terrarium wall. I have 4 large good quality suction cups holding this wall up. I have to use an object to break the suction when I remove it for cleaning or electrical work. Held up well for several months now.
Last edited:
broderp
Avid Member
The problem with more "permanent" solutions is that cleaning is a PIA. You can't remove what you've installed to clean, and remodeling is much harder to do.
If you have good suction cups and perform regular cleanings and inspections, then they are safe. Some one else also pointed out that the humidity also factors into there grip as well.
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
I cant argue against the second half of what you said, but as far as the PIA part, they are only a pain to maintain if you design and build them to be that way!
Correct me if im wrong but It looks like you bought a cage and did not build your own, nothing wrong with that! It looks like yours has a lip on the bottom so my method probably will not work for you unless you remove it. Can that lip be temporarily or easily removed? If so you can drape any piece of plastic over the walls you wish to foam. Apply as much foam as you wish but I recommend that you at least foam over the back, both sides, and bottom. Then, while the foam is still tacky embed your vines/branches/plants into the wall foam as I mentioned above. Make sure a couple of your branches connect one side of your cage to the other, this will give it a lot of strength and is needed for the next step. Once your foam has fully cured you will be able to grab the plastic you laid down and pull out the entire foam structure very easily. The plastic keeps the foam off your glass while it dries and the plastic should easily pull away from the foam as well. Think of it as making a mold of the inside of your enclosure. You can then spray your stone texture and several layers of animal safe clear coat if you wish. If you do use the texture spray the clear coat step is critical to ensuring your cham does not accidently ingest anything it shouldn't. Once the final coat of clear coat has cured be sure to give the mold a day or two to air out.
Remodeling is easily done by cutting a circle in the foam surrounding the object you want to remove, it will pop right out. Any holes are easily filled with a bit more foam or just go straight to the texture/clear spray step. If you wish to keep the hole it will give your enclosure a bit of character and may give your feeder insects a "cave" to hide in, this will make your chameleons hunting more interesting for him!
The next time you need to clean their enclosure you can just pull the whole mold right out, take it outside, and clean it as needed. Pop it back into your enclosure and your done. Should take 30 mins at the most. If you really wanting to speed things up, there are a lot of good hydrophobic products out there now.
Its all about what works for you!
mjhandy
New Member
Suction cups are your friend. I use them to hold up my terrarium wall. I have 4 large good quality suction cups holding this wall up. I have to use an object to break the suction when I remove it for cleaning or electrical work. Held up well for several months now.
Did you make this backing out of spray foam, or did you purchase it?
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
I did not build it but i see he used the black "Pond and Stone" spray foam. He has good taste!
broderp
Avid Member
True, but most people simply instruct or tell people to use the foam directly on the cage without instructing to use some sort of barrier to allow removal. So when I stated it is a PIA to clean and remove I was referring to a wall that is permanently bonded to the enclosure. I'm not a fan of this type. I went with the simple "black foam" look. I saw it on a Dragon Strand picture and thought it looked unique and fresh compared to my last setup. Thanks for the tips, when I look into my remodeling for this enclosure or my new one I will consider your ideas.
I bought a glass terrarium. I prefer glass, but am wishing I had LESS humidity.
I made this. See my thread here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/diy-floating-removable-foam-wall-for-glass-terrarium.155908/
broderp
Avid Member
YES!
(Well a version of those anyways. Here's how I did my sticks: Still holding with no issues! The hangers are screwed and wire tied for security. I used them like I did so the sticks are all removable and replaceable for cleaning.
Big Gulp
Established Member
I uses magnets for attaching branches. Makes it super easy to remove them when cleaning the cage.
These magnets are strong. I have a screen cage but it'd work with glass as well.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/alternative-way-to-attaching-branches.155152/
These magnets are strong. I have a screen cage but it'd work with glass as well.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/alternative-way-to-attaching-branches.155152/
