To make or to buy, that is the question.

Reven said:
I'll be upgrading my enclosure for my female veiled soon, and I was wondering if it would be better to either buy one or to make one myself. I looked at http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...ges/-/18-x-18-x-36-inch-aluminum-screen-cage/
and wondered if this one has screened sides or not, its hard to tell from the image and it doesn't say in the description.

Would 18x18x36 be enough for 1 female veiled or should i go with 24x24x36?
Click to expand...



I would just buy one. You will spend less by just getting it and save yourself a bunch of time... 18x18x36 is fine for a girl.
 
Seriously though, I think that depends on 2 things:

First, are you considering making one because it will cost less? If this is the case go for a used cage. It will cost about what you'll put in to making one, and it will be more professional looking and won't require any work.

Or, are you wanting to build one because you want to make a super-sweet custom enclosure that you really can't find in a store? If this is the case and you enjoy building things and you don't mind spending some cash, then build one yourself

- if you're handy :D

- Joe
 
Hello,

These are all screen cages. Personally I like them a lot! They are built very well and are easy to clean. * You can get them from a few different places but they are all the same price, based on my research.

I have 2 veileds (male & female) and both are in separate 24x24x36 cages and seem to be doing fine. They are both just over 8 months old. This size was suggested to me when I bought them so I believe it to be a proper size. If I had room I would have gone with 48" high just so the plants can grow . . .

Hope this helps

Jim
 
thanks guys! I think I will go with buying one, although in the future, I might try to make another cage for future chameleons.
 
I just went through the same dilemma and decided to just buy one. Glad I did, cost about the same and took 15 minutes to put toghther last night while I watched the game.
 
personal opinion

I use the prefab for indoors
custom cages for outside in the summer

it's nice to have several identical cages in a row
to keep the animals in.
 
ok. i usually build my own cages thinking that i will save some money. in most cases i do save about 30% and get exactly what i want.

to give you an example, the cage i'm presently building for my male veiled is about 5' tall, 2.5' wide and 2' deep. i'm using 1X2" cedar ($30) for the frame and plywood for the base. i got black aluminum screen for about $50 and vinyl floor tiles for about $10. hardware cost roughly $25 and i am using spring-loaded 'hinges' for the doors.
i will sand and then seal the wood with a water based wood sealant which will protect from water and UV light ($20; will cover 5 coats to ensure waterproofing). once i have installed the screen and tiles, i will seal all the corners with bathroom silicone for $5. at a later date i can always drill a hole in the base and add drainage tubing. i even made a neat corner shelf with my jigsaw to put smaller plants on near the top/side.

so this adds up to about $150, and about the same sized reptarium at the petstore costs about $180 with no base for water collection. i know that these are high prices, but just know that i live in vancouver canada and everything here is drastically overpriced.

so if you are ok at math, have some tools and imagination, building is the best plan. if not, those screen cages sound convienent!
 
Reven said:
I'll be upgrading my enclosure for my female veiled soon, and I was wondering if it would be better to either buy one or to make one myself. I looked at http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...ges/-/18-x-18-x-36-inch-aluminum-screen-cage/
and wondered if this one has screened sides or not, its hard to tell from the image and it doesn't say in the description.
Would 18x18x36 be enough for 1 female veiled or should i go with 24x24x36?
Click to expand...


Yes, it has screened sides. This was discussed a while back, but a few people reported their cham's had eye problems after putting them in the new aluminum screen cage. I just wanted to remind people to give the cage a quick rinse before using these new cages, just to be on the safe side.
 
Im building a cage it is just like lennys mansion on the search for the forum. It costed me 70$ to make and very nice. I will be selling them not sure on price yet and local pick up
 
unless you have what we like to call "stupid fingers" around here, then build it. 2 simple reasons: it will cost less, and it will actually be what you want it to be.

i have used both and i will never pay for a cham cage again, IMHO there is nothing out there you can buy that isn't a total joke in comparison with what you can build.
 
DarkRapture said:
[...] the cage i'm presently building for my male veiled is about 5' tall, 2.5' wide and 2' deep. i'm using 1X2" cedar [...]
Click to expand...

If I remember well, cedar is not recommended for reptile enclosures unless generously coated in multiple layers, as it contains toxic molecules.
 
Yso said:
If I remember well, cedar is not recommended for reptile enclosures unless generously coated in multiple layers, as it contains toxic molecules.
Click to expand...

i mentioned that i will be waterproofing it with a water based sealant. i plan on a minimum of 5 coats. i have no worries about the enclosure once the sealant has cured completely. i am even sealing the plywood bottom before i use the vinyl tiles to ensure max protection against rot. :)
 
I used Spar Varnish which is commonly used for wooden boats. It looks great i will be starting a thread on how to build it in two weeks or less.
 
pedro92 said:
I used Spar Varnish which is commonly used for wooden boats. It looks great i will be starting a thread on how to build it in two weeks or less.
Click to expand...

What a boat, but this is a cham forum!!!:D;)

I bought one made a base and decked it out how I wanted it...best of both worlds there!
Cheers
Scott.
PS looking forward to the thread Chris....;)
 
Scotty said:
What a boat, but this is a cham forum!!!:D;)

I bought one made a base and decked it out how I wanted it...best of both worlds there!
Cheers
Scott.
PS looking forward to the thread Chris....;)
Click to expand...

What i mean is i use a varnish that is also used to waterproof boats. Thanks i have step by step on almost every part and pics.
 
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