New Cage

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

Hi guys started on a new cage for my 8 month old Veiled.
I made this cage about 4 years ago or so for my GF Chinchillas but its a bit to big for her. So i took it back and im gonna modify it to work for my Cham. It was a 3 level cage. Sleepy area at the top that was inclosed and then 2 btm levels. My idea is to remove everything and put netting around and the top level where the sleeping quarters were im gonna change to a compartment where i can house the lights and sprinklers. Heres some pics of the dissembling.

 

[chameleonfan101]

Thats going to be a very nice looking cage! Post some pics when you are done with it. I would love to see it.!

 

[arnau666]

wow nice looking

 

[camimom]

Holy cow!
I assume you can weld then, since it looks like you are using angle iron?

 

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

Holy cow!
I assume you can weld then, since it looks like you are using angle iron?

LOL yes i can took me over 2 weeks to complete the cage the very first time for the gf chinchillas. BEst is im breaking down everything again and rebuilding it. But this time its gonna be easier. My biggest worry is the water at the bottom damping up i would have to check that when everything is assembled. Will post some pics when i did something again

 

[camimom]

You can set up a drainage system.

 

[c2c]

You can set up a drainage system.

maybe you can use sheet metal? since you can weld

 

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

I dont have a clue how to set it up tho anyone have some sample pics maybe?
Where do i place them and so on?

 

[camimom]

place what?

 

[Goggles]

I think you will need a drain pan in the bottom for sure. You could use zinc coated sheet metal angled toward the centre with a drain there. It looks like you would have enough room for a catch basin underneath the frame because it is on wheels. Then you just have to empty that. You could use the same type of plastic container that a reataurant uses for their dirty dishes or something like a kitty litter tub.

 

[MagicEngineer]

It is difficult to judge the actual size, but based on what i think I am seeing, this is what I would do. I would lower the angle iron that supported the base of the middle section to about a 8"- 16" form the bottom. And use it to support the actual cage area bottom. That would give you a larger area underneath the cage for drainage and supply storage. Since chams prefer the higher area anyway, you wont be sacrificing any living space. In the top section I would use track lighting. That would make it easier to adjust as needed. The sides of the top area could be covered with thermo-ply (reflective side in) this would greatly increase the efficiency of your lighting. The sides and top of the middle section would just be covered with aluminum window screen.

 

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

It is difficult to judge the actual size, but based on what i think I am seeing, this is what I would do. I would lower the angle iron that supported the base of the middle section to about a 8"- 16" form the bottom. And use it to support the actual cage area bottom. That would give you a larger area underneath the cage for drainage and supply storage. Since chams prefer the higher area anyway, you wont be sacrificing any living space. In the top section I would use track lighting. That would make it easier to adjust as needed. The sides of the top area could be covered with thermo-ply (reflective side in) this would greatly increase the efficiency of your lighting. The sides and top of the middle section would just be covered with aluminum window screen.

Track Lightning? I haven't heard of that ever before.
I wanted to use aluminium screen but i hear water droplets run down much quicker than netting that's why i chose netting in the end.

Goggles u mean like tilt it just a littttleee so the water can run left or right and just maybe drill a hole at the end and water can go out there and into the catch ?

 

[Goggles]

Track Lightning? I haven't heard of that ever before.
I wanted to use aluminium screen but i hear water droplets run down much quicker than netting that's why i chose netting in the end.

Goggles u mean like tilt it just a littttleee so the water can run left or right and just maybe drill a hole at the end and water can go out there and into the catch ?

Exactly!! Small holes work best just in case any feeders get out they can't escape. Someone I know with a bunch of cages(reptibreeze) does this with all the cages leaning forward a bit. They have eavetrough across the front and all the water runs down that to a catch basin.

 

[ZuggieTheCham]

I've just baught a reptibreeze cage today and will the leanin forward still work when u have live plants in there in plant pots??? Need some drainage in this new cage it's pain in bum mopping it up all the time

 

[PantherEnvy]

The Hearst Castle.

 

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

Some updates
Got everything to get started cage has been modified some pieces taken out an resprayed last week Monday. Got the netting yesterday at the end i decided to just place a piece of wood at the bottom can easily be taken out and changed if i must. Netting is bit of a bitch thought its gonna be easier but it isnt BUTTTT it will be done by next week then the light can go in. Plant wise i got a nice Ficus to put in will put the hibiscus at the bottom so it can grow.

 

[RoCkFoRdGuN]

Some Progress pics the cage is done just need to sort out the light situation now. The tree was a bit big so i closed the top aswell so the lights are coming outside. Will make some kind of structure where the lights can go on.

 

[maxttu]

nicely done! I like the look of it! Where did you get the netting??

*edit - did you cut the netting into sections or what?

 

[ChamFreak]

Chameleon Paradise! Well done!

 

[Lindsay]

That looks awesome! You should post instructions on how you built it! I want to make one for my Chameleon now.