Seems like I’m not getting anywhere with these enclosures

[GreenChameleons]

If you don't want the pots bottom edge to lean on the screen attach a small twig to the back of your 2 vertical branches at the point where it would lean into the screen. Attach the edge of the pot bottom to that twig for your third point of support for the pot.

I think eventually you are going to need to make a pond and stone foam background with the pots embedded in it to make you happy. I would not do that yet with a wild caught cham. I also wouldn't build it into the screen the way Bill does in his tutorial. I build it on a backing and attach that to the ledges. It's much more versatile that way and you can add it later after you've dealt with any possible parasite issues.

When you say backing you mean the ledges right?

 

[GreenChameleons]

I’m thinking about just putting the ficus trees and fake vines at this point.

 

[Syreptyon]

Hey there @greenchamelons, I have one pointer for you which will hopefully be useful! It looks to me from your pictures that you are only using zipties to secure you branches? While that is one option, I don't think zipties work very well with rigid objects like branches.

Instead, I encourage you to try using thumb tacs, push-pins, or eyelet screws. That way, you can just press or screw the hardware into the tip of the branch from the outside of the enclosure. Makes setting up horizontal branches a breeze. This is much easier and more effective in my opinion. It also makes it easier to remove/rearrange branches when necessary. While fake vines and a ficus are acceptable cage decor, your cham is really going to want something sturdier to climb on (Which will also help keep their nails from getting too long/sharp)

 

[GreenChameleons]

Hey there @greenchamelons, I have one pointer for you which will hopefully be useful! It looks to me from your pictures that you are only using zipties to secure you branches? While that is one option, I don't think zipties work very well with rigid objects like branches.

Instead, I encourage you to try using thumb tacs, push-pins, or eyelet screws. That way, you can just press or screw the hardware into the tip of the branch from the outside of the enclosure. Makes setting up horizontal branches a breeze. This is much easier and more effective in my opinion. It also makes it easier to remove/rearrange branches when necessary. While fake vines and a ficus are acceptable cage decor, your cham is really going to want something sturdier to climb on (Which will also help keep their nails from getting too long/sharp)[/QUOTE

I’ve tried that in the past and it didn’t work very well for me at least...I’ve already have like 3 or 4 small punctures in the screen from moving a ledge and in the frame. It’s a great idea but I’ve never been able to do it effectively. And I agree sturdy perches are much better. I thought having Dragon Strand enclosures would make this so much easier but in no shape or form am I a pro at constructing chameleon enclosure builds. Guess things never change in that regard. I’m not really a fan of fake vines at all. I usually use strong cleaned off roots as vines or real vines that are thick and sturdy. Something I’ve been thinking of am actually worthy of keeping these animals if I always have the worst time putting together enclosures. I know how to set up an enclosure and where the perches should be it just is more difficult for me to actually set up and visualize things and sticks that would work in serveral different spots. This shouldn’t be this hard for me I don’t know what the heck is wrong with me.

 

[JacksJill]

When you say backing you mean the ledges right?

No, I build the whole thing on a plastic backing so I can remove it when I want to adjust things or repot the plants but that is a project for a later date. I attach the backing to the ledges. I don't know if you can see how they are separate from the screen.

 

[GreenChameleons]

No, I build the whole thing on a plastic backing so I can remove it when I want to adjust things or repot the plants but that is a project for a later date. I attach the backing to the ledges. I don't know if you can see how they are separate from the screen.

Wow that looks great @JacksJill ! You really think I’m capable of doing that though lol.

 

[GreenChameleons]

Ficus tree yay or nay

 

[ERKleRose]

Ficus tree yay or nay

Yay of course!

 

[GreenChameleons]

Ok so I had to take everything out basically if I put the ficus tree in I won’t have room for the 2 pothos plants

 

[JacksJill]

You could do this. Image taken from the official enclosure thread. If you sink the pot you get more room in the enclosure for your cham and more plants.
d

 

[GreenChameleons]

This enclosure is going to be ruined by the time I’m done why am

You could do this. Image taken from the official enclosure thread. If you sink the pot you get more room in the enclosure for your cham and more plants.
dView attachment 215403

Good idea....do you think I should just use fake vines I have a ton of them..I don’t really want to but every arrangement I’ve done will not be like a zig zag pattern I could just rap the through the ledges put a few perching branches

 

[GreenChameleons]

This enclosure is going to be ruined by the time I’m done why am


Good idea....do you think I should just use fake vines I have a ton of them..I don’t really want to but every arrangement I’ve done will not be like a zig zag pattern I could just rap the through the ledges put a few perching branches

As in one stick from another stick and I should have just put the ledge on the on the right instead of back

 

[JacksJill]

Why don't you do a mix of both. Put in a couple of branches that you can get in easily and do the rest as vines.

 

[JacksJill]

Here are the placements I suggest for starters. You will have to do the green one after the tree is
in.

 

[GreenChameleons]

Here are the placements I suggest for starters. You will have to do the green one after the tree is
in.View attachment 215410

Thank you for that @JacksJill i probably won’t be putting the tree in idk yet though

 

[GreenChameleons]

Here are the placements I suggest for starters. You will have to do the green one after the tree is
in.View attachment 215410

 

[GreenChameleons]

Why don't you do a mix of both. Put in a couple of branches that you can get in easily and do the rest as vines.

If I what to use the vine holders in the front right corner I won’t be able to install the nozzles in the front right

 

[Decadancin]

Ok so I had to take everything out basically if I put the ficus tree in I won’t have room for the 2 pothos plants

He he, there's always room for pothos ...

 

[Decadancin]

Something I have always done to help placing vines is to start with on about mid way up that goes across on a diagonal from front to back. Everything else seems to just "fit" from there.

Here are a few examples, and they all started this way...

I'm not sure if going up the sides is the best starting point for the design, but also don't want to make you crazy questioning things .

 

[GreenChameleons]

Here are the placements I suggest for starters. You will have to do the green one after the tree is
in.View attachment 215410

How about this?