pls talk on here(for joe)

[blackbetty]

Well I am glad that you are capable and willing. How old are you? Sorry if thats been asked..

Here are some things I found. It doesnt relate to the cham nor would I know which screen is best for you as I dont know the weather there (this is another search entirely)..But heres some idea to help you switch that top over

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/replacing-old-wood-screens.shtml
http://www.millardlumber.com/HowTo/screens/screen.htm
http://chamownersweb.net/husbandry/encls1.htm
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=81971&page=2
https://www.chameleonforums.com/tank-setup-help-667/

It might be easiest to remove the top altogether and try to build something similar to the first 2 links and hinge it on if you want to use the top as access.. Otherwise just screw it on permanently. I still think a side door would be best for you to access. I cant imagine climbing over and lifting allt he lights off just to enter the cage to feed..

 

[joe]

Tommorow (monday) im going to buy some chicken wire (type of mesh) for the uv rays and basking lamp. Buy some waterproof flooring and replace it with the old one. I got a few ides for drainage, got my dad to help as well.

 

[blackbetty]

I dont know if Chicken wire is the best.. Just seems sharp and thin and Id be afraid of it slicing the chams foot.. (?)

But glad you are Gung-ho!

 

[joe]

well you no a type of mesh ile have a look for the safest ones with the smallest amount of holes, dont want it escapeing

 

[luevelvet]

What is the cage made out of? Is that compressed particle board? If it's the same type of wood of lets say a computer desk, or a cheap self that you put together yourself, you very well may destroy it within a few weeks of misting.

You will have to find a way to open the top and I would suggest a few more holes. at least two holes per each side, around 15 cm each, covered with screen.

Like everyone else mentioned, don't use the castles and roman architecture. Part of whats involved in caring for a cham is providing them with live plants, vines, sticks and twigs to walk all over. They live in trees, and the vast majority dont walk on flat surfaces very well, so the more vines the better.

But I seriously think you need to look into what the wood is made from. If it is at all particle board, then I wouldn't use it unless you sealed it with something...

HTH
Luis

 

[panthercrazy]

That is a nice enclosure for the right animal.

My concern would be venilation for sure as mentioned already. If you were to remove the top and replace with screen that is a start...but will it be enough?? I know some people here are using glass & screen tops with success. This has never worked for me therefore my enclosure are 2 sides, front, and top all screen.

The other concern, please correct me if I am wrong...but that enclosure looks to be made of particular board of sorts (compressed wood)....with the misting/humidity/dripping water that any chameleon requires, I would think that this enclosure will not hold up for long to that much water??

Sounds like you have time enough to get this enclosure modified if you choose to use it and plenty of time to rethink another if that is the route you choose.

I'm glad to see your desire to research and ask questions....we all started somewhere and believe me I have seen too many situation "oh its cool, got to get one"....and a few weeks maybe months if lucky, the chameleon is sick from poor nutrition, husbandry conditions and meets a much too early demise. I commend you on your efforts to ensure you have a proper setup for a beautiful cham and he/she has a wonderful life with you with the chams requirements being met properly.

 

[joe]

its "good wood" lol i bought it specificly for chameleons. Also have a guarantee on it for a while.

 

[blackbetty]

LOL Joe.. A man of many words!!


I sure hope Im giving proper and adequate advice. Im googling like a mad woman over here!

 

[joe]

i might take it to my local DI.I.Y shop tommorow so they can look at it and see if will be ok , with any luck it should be fine if it is for chameleons lol

 

[joe]

for my crazy drainage idea im going to drill a few holes in the bottom then about 1cm up from that some more mesh so the chameleon dont fall in. then ontop of the mesh i was thinking about a few paper towels? would this have a chance in hell of working??? (or is it another 13 year olds day dream?) lol

 

[blackbetty]

Hun, Im backing down. Ive given all I can do and my little fingers cant type anymore into the google searchbar..Besides, Im not 100% confident that Im even giving right info..Im just trying to give options which will need to be tweaked for your capabilities and the chams wellbeing. I wish you the best and hope that someone else more knowledgeable can pick this up and steer you in the right direction. I posted a link somewhere in here (I think) to Drainage. Type it into the search bar if you cant find it.. It can help you come up with some ideas.

 

[blackbetty]

BTW, I found this for you..Hope its not offensive.. (I dont know anything about England..) If it is, I will remove it. Just thought it was cute for you.

 

[joe]

lol its fine. ive had another idea! for drainage. i buy some waterproof flooring and put it on like a 10degree slant with a hole in the middle. so all of the water will go into to hole.

 

[addicted]

I think the simplest solution for both drainage and sealing the wood so it doesn't absorb water, would be to drill a few holes in the bottom (about 2 cm diameter) then paint the entire inside of the cage with some sort of water-proof paint that would also be non-toxic. Of coarse you would need to let it dry and air out for quite a while before you put an animal in there. I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of a member on here painting the inside of his cage, maybe someone could suggest a suitable brand.

Then you could cover the floor with mesh to prevent crickets from escaping through your drainage holes. Preferably remove the whole top and replace it with screen. I'd put a layer of 2 screens, one with wider holes for the chameleon to grip if he should happen to climb up there and one fine mesh to prevent crickets escaping. By the looks of it, your cage is tall enough that you could suspend the lights from the ceiling over your cage to prevent them from touching and burning your mesh (and cham)

You will need to provide a lot of vines and such to line the walls of your cage since he won't be able to climb the smooth surface of the wood.

 

[joe]

thanks so your saying for the drainage drill some holes, then cover it with a sheet plastic or a sheet of some sort? i dont get it lol

 

[joe]

oh no i get it now replace bottom with mesh so crickets cant escape and top with glassy stuff. k thanks im might do the drainage idea but im changeing the top of my cage with some mesh to

 

[blackbetty]

Glass does not permit UVB to pass through so a glass top would be a no no

 

[joe]

ive also been trying to think of some names, i can hardly think of any i like. I like names that are short like... max, frank, sam etc i also like ancienct names like memphis and roman

 

[joe]

oooo i found two names i really like i found "roman" which i just like, dont no why lol and "xerxes" (you pronounce it zersies)

 

[addicted]

No, no, not glass on top, I was thinking 2 layers of mesh instead of the wood layer.

For bottom I was thinking drill holes for drainage, then after you've coated the entire inside of the cage (back, sides and bottom) with appropriate paint, cover the holes with mesh.