Need tips on making a Veiled cage

[JustJordan]

I really want to make a attractive cage thats really large, not trashy looking and safe and durable for my chameleon... i already have a male 5 month old veiled. and i want to move him to a bigger (the one i want to make) and buy a female and put her in his old large cage. so my questions for my do-it-yourself-ers, how do i do this? what material is safe for my little pablo? how do i make a door? and no wood, i don't want any mold. obviously it
needs to be mesh, but what type of frame can i use? i wish i could weld, this would be easy! any one have pics on cages they have made?? i can't afford a brand new one, and quite frankly, the plain rectangle shape is boring to me... i'm very artistic too... so ideas??

 

[Sticktongue]

Most dyi cages are wood. You just have to water seal them. Ive never had a problem with mine.

 

[Tyaeda]

I made a 24x24x48 for Mr.Pink out of wood, and it cost pretty much as much as a pre-made jobby. It's real sturdy, and the benefit of wood is that it's really easy to attach branches and foliage.

Here's what mine pretty much looks like now:

 

[nick barta]

If you are using wood and screen, it is not regularly cheaper.

You can use PVC pipe, but that won't give you a nice look.

You can buy screen moulding, spline, and screen, and your costs will be a bit lower, but the fit is hard to accomplish, and it tends to look like your first DIY attempt.

If you were to buy 2 screen cages from LLL in the 2x2x4 size, your cost would be about $225.00, shipped. Place them beside each other, and take the screen out on the 2 sides that touch each other, and you have a good looking large cage. The challenge is in attaching the 2 cages together so bugs don't escape. If you decide to go this way, PM me and I will go over it with you.

Your creativity can be expressed in how you furnish the cage, and those choices don't cost so much!!

Nick

 

[JustJordan]

i'm very artistic and think i could make one look pretty good... but if i water seal the wood, wouldn't the chemicals be bad for my veiled?? and the pic looks good of the home made cage btw what do you use to attatch the mesh or screen to the wood? and i want to go with a nicer shape than just a square, thats why i'd like to make it myself. i got a vision in my head going...

 

[CLP]

You can buy non-toxic wood sealant. If you use that, it will be fine. As for attaching the screen, I used wood staples on mine.

If you do build a custom cage, post some photos when you're done - we all like seeing what others come up with! Good luck.

 

[JustJordan]

I'm nervous now! lol jk... I have a few ideas... I need to just start work! What about the bottom of the cage? The one I bought has a removable plastic bottom, should I do that? I'm tempted to turn an old cabinet into a cage... i seen pics of some and they looked awesome