Jabooh1's Cage Build

[Jabooh1]

hey everyone! I figured I would start a thread for my build. The space I have is 36" wide, 24" deep, and 40" tall. We are planning on a veiled chameleon.

The first photo is the wall we are working with. I am moving the bookshelves apart and placing the enclosure between them.

I decided on a screen cage as I didn't want to go through all the work of staining wood to match. Following the jdog videos on YouTube, it was pretty easy.

After building the frame I test fit it to make sure it was ok. Using electrical tape to hold it together.

Then I put in the screen. I used black colored aluminum screen. It took a bit to get it right.

I have a 36" t 5.0 uvb light for the top as well as a 75 watt heat lamp. I will be adding a mistking, crepe myrtle branches hung with floral wire, and live plants.

To protect the bookshelves from the mist I am going to add polycarbonate sheeting to the outside of the cage. I will most likely paint them in forest/camo colors. They will be on the back and two sides.

For the bottom I was thinking about placing the same polycarbonate sheeting and using 100% silicone sealant around the edges. Then cut another sheet that sits on the first and is removable. This will mostly get covered in black adhesive vinyl.

I will update this as I go.

 

[Link]

hey everyone! I figured I would start a thread for my build. The space I have is 36" wide, 24" deep, and 40" tall. We are planning on a veiled chameleon.

The first photo is the wall we are working with. I am moving the bookshelves apart and placing the enclosure between them.

I decided on a screen cage as I didn't want to go through all the work of staining wood to match. Following the jdog videos on YouTube, it was pretty easy.

After building the frame I test fit it to make sure it was ok. Using electrical tape to hold it together.

Then I put in the screen. I used black colored aluminum screen. It took a bit to get it right.

I have a 36" t 5.0 uvb light for the top as well as a 75 watt heat lamp. I will be adding a mistking, crepe myrtle branches hung with floral wire, and live plants.

To protect the bookshelves from the mist I am going to add polycarbonate sheeting to the outside of the cage. I will most likely paint them in forest/camo colors. They will be on the back and two sides.

For the bottom I was thinking about placing the same polycarbonate sheeting and using 100% silicone sealant around the edges. Then cut another sheet that sits on the first and is removable. This will mostly get covered in black adhesive vinyl.

I will update this as I go.

Wow nice size make sure you show pictures when you're done

 

[Alexander1]

Looking nice

 

[Jabooh1]

I have started placing the branches. The top branch is about 6-7 inches from the heat lamp. The branches are hung using floral wire.

After the branches and plants are in, I will take the cage down and fit the plastic sides and back.

Still pondering a drain or pan at the bottom. The bottom section is full width and 12" high so anything can fit.

 

[Link]

Looks good. Just use a thermometer to see where the hottest temperature is at the heating. Just a little digital one I use drainage if you are home a lot don't really need a drainage just make sure you're watching it. But if you're out a lot the drainage is a good thing. just my opinion

 

[Jabooh1]

I placed the top branch so that it is 85* right under the lamp.

 

[Link]

that's what I keep mine at 85 to about 89.nice

 

[Jabooh1]

Added some more branches and plants. All live plants. We are going to put some vine in as well.

Using the floral wire through the mesh. Will probably add tacks through the outside as well.

All the plant pots are in metal loops. This allows us to remove them if needed.

The vine plants should create lots of shade.

 

[Jabooh1]

So I know my plants are new and small. What should I do in preparation for a new veiled?

I was going to add vines and some fake plants till the real ones get larger.

 

[Jabooh1]

How does this look?

 

[Alexander1]

Dude your veiled is gonna tear up those plants, as an experienced veiled keeper well, I have one, don't use fake plants if you can get a bushier pothos, mine started eating the fake silk leaves, avoid that issue. It really should be talked about more, my veiled really likes to eat plants so be aware of that.

 

[Jabooh1]

Thanks for the comment. I'll check but I thought these plants are 100% plastic.

What part of the plant do they eat?

 

[Alexander1]

The plants that are near the heat lamp may die or be damaged btw. Add more sturdy branches with some bark for grip, the smooth ones get slippery when they get wet.

 

[Jabooh1]

The plants that are near the heat lamp may die or be damaged btw. Add more sturdy branches with some bark for grip, the smooth ones get slippery when they get wet.

Thanks! I was worried about the top plant but read you want some sort of shade available near the heat lamp. The basking branch is 85*f

 

[Alexander1]

Another note I would add for you is that real plants are cheaper than nice fake plants, pothos do great and are like 10 bucks. They're great for humidity retention, snack, and cover. I had tons of fake plants in my enclosure but I'm starting to remove them and replacing them with real plants.

 

[Jabooh1]

Another note I would add for you is that real plants are cheaper than nice fake plants, pothos do great and are like 10 bucks. They're great for humidity retention, snack, and cover. I had tons of fake plants in my enclosure but I'm starting to remove them and replacing them with real plants.

I agree I like the real better as well. I was having issues figureing out how to mount more containers and didn't know how much these will grow. There are 8 real plants in a 24x36x40 enclosure.

 

[medgecko]

Something taller like a ficus and/or dwarf scheflera would be a nice add. A pedestal (inverted pot) could be used to elevate them while they're shorter.

 

[Jabooh1]

I added the back and sides, corigated plastic sheet covered in black vinyl. I also added a bottom pan. I lucked out and found a plastic dog kennel pan that was 1" wider than needed. After a slight trim, worked perfectly!

I didn't cover the outside yet as I might be able to trim them back to the depth of the bookcases. The Mistking comes in tomorrow and I'll be able to check.

I'm going to look into a larger ficus plant as well.

 

[Bonca]

Hi,

if you want to control temperature and turn on/off the light and raining/misting system automatically, please let me recommend our solution. This equipment is designed and built by us.

http://terrariumcontrol.com/index.php/termekek

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/home-made-terrarium-controller.130089/page-2

Bonca
[email protected]
www.TerrariumControl.com

 

[Navymancdf]

hey everyone! I figured I would start a thread for my build. The space I have is 36" wide, 24" deep, and 40" tall. We are planning on a veiled chameleon.

The first photo is the wall we are working with. I am moving the bookshelves apart and placing the enclosure between them.

I decided on a screen cage as I didn't want to go through all the work of staining wood to match. Following the jdog videos on YouTube, it was pretty easy.

After building the frame I test fit it to make sure it was ok. Using electrical tape to hold it together.

Then I put in the screen. I used black colored aluminum screen. It took a bit to get it right.

I have a 36" t 5.0 uvb light for the top as well as a 75 watt heat lamp. I will be adding a mistking, crepe myrtle branches hung with floral wire, and live plants.

To protect the bookshelves from the mist I am going to add polycarbonate sheeting to the outside of the cage. I will most likely paint them in forest/camo colors. They will be on the back and two sides.

For the bottom I was thinking about placing the same polycarbonate sheeting and using 100% silicone sealant around the edges. Then cut another sheet that sits on the first and is removable. This will mostly get covered in black adhesive vinyl.

I will update this as I go.

What cage did you go with? I am going to start getting everything together this weekend and can't decide on a cage. There are so many out there. Goinntovbe getting a veiled Cham also.