New Cage Build!
- Thread starter Tyaeda
- Start date
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
When your plants grow, they will fill that enclosure! I doubt you'll need any branches at all later on when they're big. The grow light will help.
When the mistking comes, be sure to give your enclosure some more branches for the chammy to climb and utilize the enclosure fully, also test the mistking for a day or two even.
You're doing fantastic.
When the mistking comes, be sure to give your enclosure some more branches for the chammy to climb and utilize the enclosure fully, also test the mistking for a day or two even.
You're doing fantastic.
Tyaeda
Established Member
Thanks! I still have a little hanging pothos, and giant climbing pothos in Mr.Pink's cage that are moving in too.
They'll provide a bunch of branches for him. I can't put any sticks in until I'm almost ready to move him in, because I want to include the plants in his current cage.
I have another 24" t5 over mr.pinks current cage, I'll be using that too so both sides get lots of light.
When I get the mistking I'll be running it for a full programmed cycle to make sure I get the humidity right, and to give everything a good rinse off with distilled water.
They'll provide a bunch of branches for him. I can't put any sticks in until I'm almost ready to move him in, because I want to include the plants in his current cage.
I have another 24" t5 over mr.pinks current cage, I'll be using that too so both sides get lots of light.
When I get the mistking I'll be running it for a full programmed cycle to make sure I get the humidity right, and to give everything a good rinse off with distilled water.
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
I guess I didn't see senior member under your name, I didn't know you did this kind of thing before. Mr. Pink looks like a spoiled chammy..
Yeah I think your plants will definitely fill out nicely.
Yeah I think your plants will definitely fill out nicely.
Tyaeda
Established Member
Just got senior membership a couple days ago Thanks for noticing
I'm always open to advice, because if it wasn't for the advice I've found here - none of this would have been possible.
I learned a lot from my first build - which was all about functionality. We always kind of knew that we were going to go bigger, and a year later here we are!
We're completely hooked on this hobby. Mr.Pink's old cage is getting some major modifications, new plants, and a new tenant We're trying to get hooked up with a baby panther. Looks like I'll be buying from Chameleons Canada, but I'd like to know who else in Ontario has some babies on the way.
Thanks for noticing I'm always open to advice, because if it wasn't for the advice I've found here - none of this would have been possible.
I learned a lot from my first build - which was all about functionality. We always kind of knew that we were going to go bigger, and a year later here we are!
We're completely hooked on this hobby. Mr.Pink's old cage is getting some major modifications, new plants, and a new tenant
We're trying to get hooked up with a baby panther. Looks like I'll be buying from Chameleons Canada, but I'd like to know who else in Ontario has some babies on the way.
Tyaeda
Established Member
Mr. Pink looks like a spoiled chammy..
Spoiled rotten actually. I love this picture cause it shows his attitude perfectly - buy him all that stuff to climb on, and he prefers the water tubes.
Ever since I put the new plants in Mr.Pink's new enclosure, he seems to be actually interested in it (it's located across the room from him right now). He's been wanting to come out a lot more too - it's like he's too good for his old digs all of a sudden.
Just waiting on that mistking. My husband and I have the next couple days off, so were hoping it comes before we have to go back to work.
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
That's how mine is too. You know where your worms and dubias and treats come from? My hands! Yet you still want ONLY to come out of your cage on a stick.
Also he hasn't even glanced at the jade plant I have on the dry side.. He doesn't explore anything new until it settles in.
Also he hates the glorious warm mistings I give him. :\
My mist king is also coming! I ordered on friday... Maybe tomorrow I'll get it
Tyaeda
Established Member
What a little stinker!
I think I got lucky with my little veiled. The only time he's ever been stressed was when I had to give him eye drops. Other than that crazy week, he's been cool.
I think it has something to do with being raised by himself. I don't know why they did this, but it seems to have resulted in a less aggressive chameleon. He's not afraid of us in the least - the cats are another story - but they never interact... he just stares at them from his perch, and the cats couldn't care less about him. They pay more attention to the crickets.
I think I got lucky with my little veiled. The only time he's ever been stressed was when I had to give him eye drops. Other than that crazy week, he's been cool.
I think it has something to do with being raised by himself. I don't know why they did this, but it seems to have resulted in a less aggressive chameleon. He's not afraid of us in the least - the cats are another story - but they never interact... he just stares at them from his perch, and the cats couldn't care less about him. They pay more attention to the crickets.
whitefalcon48
New Member
I love this! I've been throwing around a few ideas about how to do the drainage system and then I saw your christmas tree stand idea and now I want to do it. I've been trying to find a stand similar to the ones your using (I think the shape of it works well). I'll be curious to know if it works as well as you want it to.
Tyaeda
Established Member
I was going to go with a regular double kitchen sink, but I found these first, and they were MUCH cheaper. Since they're out of season, they were like 75% off. Maybe you can ask the people at the local walmart if they have any in stock still.
whitefalcon48
New Member
Yeah, maybe I'll give it shot, although I have a feeling I'm not going to find much this far out from the Christmas season haha.
Tyaeda
Established Member
So, finally it's done! All furnished, mistking installed, ready to go. I moved Mr.Pink in yesterday, and besides not liking the mistking too much, he seems to enjoy the extra space. The only thing I'm going to add is a small hanging pothos in the left side. Still waiting for my fogger to come in the mail too, that should be cool.
Here's some pics!
Here's some pics!
streetmike84
New Member
Looks awesome on to the next one
What's the second strip light
What's the second strip light
Tyaeda
Established Member
Glad you asked. I have a total of 5 lights on this big boy. Here's a better picture with some labels.
streetmike84
New Member
so are the grow lights just for the plants and why have you got two heat lamps
broderp
Avid Member
This is so full of good ideas, I lost count on page 3.
I do have a question for anyone who makes this type of cage. Drainage is always stressed in these builds. But in this case the bottom of the enclosure is wood. Would this not be counter productive if you have enough moisture to require drainage? Why not tile the floor or use a plastic laminate to waterproof the floor?
I do have a question for anyone who makes this type of cage. Drainage is always stressed in these builds. But in this case the bottom of the enclosure is wood. Would this not be counter productive if you have enough moisture to require drainage? Why not tile the floor or use a plastic laminate to waterproof the floor?
Tyaeda
Established Member
Grow lights are for the plants. My schefflera loves it - it's growing so fast! I have two heat lamps because one isn't always enough, and sometimes one is more than enough. I don't always have both on, but it's been a particularly cold winter, and I just wanted to make the warm side of the enclosure a little more spansive. I still have one side of the cage clear of heat lamps, although the grow lights do give off some heat as well.
This is so full of good ideas, I lost count on page 3.
I do have a question for anyone who makes this type of cage. Drainage is always stressed in these builds. But in this case the bottom of the enclosure is wood. Would this not be counter productive if you have enough moisture to require drainage? Why not tile the floor or use a plastic laminate to waterproof the floor?
We definitely could have gone that route, but our original plan was to install a sink instead. We just happened upon these tree stands for like a buck-something each. The wooden table top is lacquered, and everything is all siliconed. I did look into tiling initially, but with the cost of doing tile properly, it just wasn't worth it.
The only drainage problem I've had is the front by the doors. There is some pooling in the corners that is free to come out when the doors are open. We plan to buy a piece of door threshold to put on each side to prevent the water from getting out. Eventually I see the entire bottom of the cage being covered in potted coleus and other small ground cover plants, and these will soak up lots of moisture too.
