My home made enclosure

[summerseeking]

Hi All,

This is my first thread! I have been building an enclosure for my future Nosy Faly male/female pair I'm hoping to get next month at Reptilian Nation Expo in Sacramento. I'm super stoked about how it's coming out and I got feedback that I should share it in a thread, so here I am sharing. The enclosure will be bioactive with total measurements of 4' x 5' x 2'. It's divided so each cam will have 2' x 5' x 2' of space. I'm building a mister (its super easy and way cheaper than mistking BTW). I created custom faux rock panels with built-in planters. I also added drainage. I planted it today with hibiscuses, palms, spider plants, and a bunch of other stuff. Tomorrow I'm adding the doors, doing some painting, adding the branches for climbing, and a few other finishing touches. So close to finishing it.

 

[ERKleRose]

I LOVE it! Great job, it's amazing!

 

[summerseeking]

I LOVE it! Great job, it's amazing!

Thank you

 

[ERKleRose]

Definitively keep us updated! And I can't wait to see the chams you get!

 

[GrayMadder]

Seriously so amazing!!! You have some skill!! LOVE it!!!

 

[Cheezilla]

Very nice

 

[summerseeking]

Seriously so amazing!!! You have some skill!! LOVE it!!!

Thank you much. I have really been enjoying the process. This is my first enclosure build so I had to learn quickly lol.

 

[Sonny13]

Good job, looks really great. Can’t wait for the end product

 

[Tige21v]

Fantastic job!
Is the hardware cloth pvc coated?

 

[Serbianchameleon]

Hi All,

This is my first thread! I have been building an enclosure for my future Nosy Faly male/female pair I'm hoping to get next month at Reptilian Nation Expo in Sacramento. I'm super stoked about how it's coming out and I got feedback that I should share it in a thread, so here I am sharing. The enclosure will be bioactive with total measurements of 4' x 5' x 2'. It's divided so each cam will have 2' x 5' x 2' of space. I'm building a mister (its super easy and way cheaper than mistking BTW). I created custom faux rock panels with built-in planters. I also added drainage. I planted it today with hibiscuses, palms, spider plants, and a bunch of other stuff. Tomorrow I'm adding the doors, doing some painting, adding the branches for climbing, and a few other finishing touches. So close to finishing it.

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Honestly I think I would never have nerves for enclosure like this to make.. Anyways you have an A+ from me!

 

[yoshimoto0]

this is AMAZING! great skill you have!

 

[summerseeking]

Fantastic job!
Is the hardware cloth pvc coated?

Great question! All the wood and metal surfaces are protected by resin, silicone, and other sealants (with reinforced corners). The hardware I'm using for the door hinges and latches I honestly haven't figured out protection for them from moisture. I'm hoping they don't get very wet because that would mean the floor is also getting wet (based on where they will be located. Hope this answers your question.

 

[summerseeking]

Honestly I think I would never have nerves for enclosure like this to make.. Anyways you have an A+ from me!

It's a bit easier than it looks. It really all about getting your measurements and cuts right. Everything else is like assembling an Ikea thing, slightly tedious, takes longer than you expected...but 100% doable lol.

 

[Flick boy]

Hi and welcome. Great job

 

[MissSkittles]

Wow! You’ve got skills! Beautiful enclosure!

 

[summerseeking]

Hi and welcome. Great job

thank you

 

[dinomom]

Great question! All the wood and metal surfaces are protected by resin, silicone, and other sealants (with reinforced corners). The hardware I'm using for the door hinges and latches I honestly haven't figured out protection for them from moisture. I'm hoping they don't get very wet because that would mean the floor is also getting wet (based on where they will be located. Hope this answers your question.

Can you use all stainless steel hardware?

This is IMPRESSIVE.

 

[Sonny13]

Can you use all stainless steel hardware?

This is IMPRESSIVE.

INOX would definitely be the best choice for this, you can use it without any protection. Downside it’s very expensive in regard to regular steel.

Still stainless steel isn’t 100% stainless . Saltwater i.e. will also corrode this kind of steel, like snow in the sun.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

INOX would definitely be the best choice for this, you can use it without any protection. Downside it’s very expensive in regard to regular steel.

TMK, INOX is stainless steel, no?

Still stainless steel isn’t 100% stainless . Saltwater i.e. will also corrode this kind of steel, like snow in the sun.

Is that relevant to a chameleon enclosure? I think stainless would be fine.

Great question! All the wood and metal surfaces are protected by resin, silicone, and other sealants (with reinforced corners). The hardware I'm using for the door hinges and latches I honestly haven't figured out protection for them from moisture. I'm hoping they don't get very wet because that would mean the floor is also getting wet (based on where they will be located. Hope this answers your question.

Since it looks like a bioactive enclosure, I take it you mean the floor outside the enclosure.
Some overspray may be inevitable, but careful aiming of the nozzles should take care of most of it.
If that were an issue, I'm surprised you didn't build a hybrid enclosure; that virtually eliminates overspray, and humidity control is significantly easier.

 

[Sonny13]

TMK, INOX is stainless steel, no?

Correct, it’s just another name for it.

Is that relevant to a chameleon enclosure? I think stainless would be fine.

It’s not relevant for a chameleon enclosure. Just wanted to share it, because must people belief, stainless steel is maintenance free (in some cases it isn’t)