Question about chameleon cage

[Chameleon_lady]

So I am building my own chameleon cage. I bought a wooden dresser took the inside out cut a hole on the top put a screen for the lights and put screen doors for the front. My question is, should I cut out the sides and put a screen as well? I've seen this idea online and interested me in doing one as well. I seen cages with screen around the entire cage so thats why I ask. I cant off the top of my head tell the measurements so once I do I can include that into my post. Thanks in advance

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Following this post because I want to see how it turns out. Good luck

 

[Brodybreaux25]

So I am building my own chameleon cage. I bought a wooden dresser took the inside out cut a hole on the top put a screen for the lights and put screen doors for the front. My question is, should I cut out the sides and put a screen as well? I've seen this idea online and interested me in doing one as well. I seen cages with screen around the entire cage so thats why I ask. I cant off the top of my head tell the measurements so once I do I can include that into my post. Thanks in advance

I build custom enclosure is on the side and for the most part I do not put screen on the side. I’ve always found it to be much easier maintaining humidity and temperature in solid side enclosures. The main argument against solid side enclosures is that the air does not exchange as freely as a screened enclosure. This is technically true but as long as you have a screen top and front you shouldn’t have a problem maintaining airflow. And plus if you go with a solid side now and don’t like it you can always cut them out after, but once you make those holes there’s no going back !

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Something else I’ve been doing with my bilds lately is to install a computer cooling fan somewhere in the enclosure usually at the top. They are cheap, easy to use, and they work .You can flip it on anytime and change out all the air in your enclosure within a couple minutes.

 

[Chameleon_lady]

I build custom enclosure is on the side and for the most part I do not put screen on the side. I’ve always found it to be much easier maintaining humidity and temperature in solid side enclosures. The main argument against solid side enclosures is that the air does not exchange as freely as a screened enclosure. This is technically true but as long as you have a screen top and front you shouldn’t have a problem maintaining airflow. And plus if you go with a solid side now and don’t like it you can always cut them out after, but once you make those holes there’s no going back !

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. Now can I ask do you drill holes on the bottom so water can drip out? I have seen people on this website mention that.

 

[Chameleon_lady]

Something else I’ve been doing with my bilds lately is to install a computer cooling fan somewhere in the enclosure usually at the top. They are cheap, easy to use, and they work .You can flip it on anytime and change out all the air in your enclosure within a couple minutes.

Awesome idea! If doing that, does it drop the temperature at all?

 

[Chameleon_lady]

Following this post because I want to see how it turns out. Good luck

Thank you, I still have things to do but its coming along lol. Rather take my time and make it perfect

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Awesome idea! If doing that, does it drop the temperature at all?

Depends on the size of the enclosure and the fan. it doesn’t take much to circulate air so the fans are pretty small. Even if you ran the fan for a long period of time you won’t lose more than a degree or two .

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. Now can I ask do you drill holes on the bottom so water can drip out? I have seen people on this website mention that.

yes just go pick up a cheap shower drain from Home Depot and install it in the bottom of your enclosure. Then just connect a PVC drain line and valve on to the end of it. you need to consider where you’re going to drain your water to once it’s collected. most people just run a line to a bucket and empty it as needed but i usually tie mine directly into the plumbing of the house .

 

[Chameleon_lady]

yes just go pick up a cheap shower drain from Home Depot and install it in the bottom of your enclosure. Then just connect a PVC drain line and valve on to the end of it. you need to consider where you’re going to drain your water to once it’s collected. most people just run a line to a bucket and empty it as needed but i usually tie mine directly into the plumbing of the house .

Thank you!! That is very useful information. Truly appreciated

 

[blue_cham]

I love these types of builds, can't wait to see the end result!

 

[Chameleon_lady]

I'm so excited I went this way with it. I have woods behind my home where I found wonderful sticks for the cage(yes I know how to put in the over before putting into cage) I'm trying to keep as much real nature in my future guy cage

 

[Tucklander]

Good luck sounds really cool...can’t wait to see the finished product

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I'm so excited I went this way with it. I have woods behind my home where I found wonderful sticks for the cage(yes I know how to put in the over before putting into cage) I'm trying to keep as much real nature in my future guy cage

You don't have to do the sticks in the oven thing but if it makes you feel better by all means do it.

 

[Harryanjames]

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I've just completed a recessed viv into an alcove. Lots of fun building and Cham seems to love it ! Good luck

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I've just completed a recessed viv into an alcove. Lots of fun building and Cham seems to love it ! Good luck

I'd love to have something like this one day. How did you do with the walls and the humidity? Special paint? Also how's the drainage and cleaning for this type of enclosure? How do you do to achieve proper ventilation? I hear some people use little computer fans and that they're great for this. I've been brainstorming for my chameleon's next home when he grows out of his current one and these are all concerns that have popped up in the process.

 

[Harryanjames]

I'd love to have something like this one day. How did you do with the walls and the humidity? Special paint? Also how's the drainage and cleaning for this type of enclosure? How do you do to achieve proper ventilation? I hear some people use little computer fans and that they're great for this. I've been brainstorming for my chameleon's next home when he grows out of his current one and these are all concerns that have popped up in the process.

Hi, thanks. I've painted the walls with basic masonry paint and put sealant all around the base of the shelf so it is water tight. The two plants in pots have a very small gap around them so if any water does collect at the bottom it just rolls down the pot and into two containers underneath. To clean it is a bit of a pain to remove everything but once out, I can spray it down with Cham friendly tank cleaner and wipe off the walls. There is a mesh screen on top and holes in the Perspex glass so humidity is high. I also like the idea of a small fan though just to make sure there's good circulation.

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Hi, thanks. I've painted the walls with basic masonry paint and put sealant all around the base of the shelf so it is water tight. The two plants in pots have a very small gap around them so if any water does collect at the bottom it just rolls down the pot and into two containers underneath. To clean it is a bit of a pain to remove everything but once out, I can spray it down with Cham friendly tank cleaner and wipe off the walls. There is a mesh screen on top and holes in the Perspex glass so humidity is high. I also like the idea of a small fan though just to make sure there's good circulation.

Awesome job and well thought out. I hope one day I'm able to do something like this for my little guy And yeah I was reading that with the little computer fans, just turning them on for a few minutes will help change out all the air that's within the enclosure. I read it somewhere here on the forum. They turned it on a few times a day and that was enough to achieve proper air circulation.

 

[Harryanjames]

Thank you! Sounds like a good idea to me

 

[Chameleon_lady]

Here is a pic of what has been done..the things inside across the back will be removed. Now I do have a question. Since the back is wood. What would be recommended to put on the back to avoid any mold? Also should lamps be bigger or just get stronger bulbs?