Vines, back tiles, uvb tube light,

[Gypsy702]

Hey there! I’m new to the chameleon world and about to get a veiled chameleon (1yo) and want to set him up with a better habitat since he is in a small one (getting him from Craigslist). I ordered him a 2’x2’x4’ and waiting for it to come in the mail. I bought him a new umbrella tree, but I was curious about what brands are best to buy for vines, background tiles, uvb tube light (I understand it has to be 5.0) any advise or suggestions would be great. I don’t want to get him something that will mold. Thanks

 

[Beman]

I highly recommend Dragon Strand drainage trays and dragon ledges. Here is the link to learn more https://dragonstrand.com/alternative-cage-manufaturers/

As for vines I would do real branches. See what you have in your yard. They should come from NON sap producing trees.

For UVB lighting you are looking for a T5HO fixture that is 24 inches and a 5.0 UVB bulb.

Ummmm background tiles? I am thinking you want something to block the water from going out of your cage?

Here is a link that will help you understand their husbandry. https://chameleonacademy.com/
Here is additional info. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

 

[cyberlocc]

I loveee Background tiles!!! I use the Zoomed ones, but any should do.

Not sure how you would attach to screen cage, but you could do it surely. Staples might be an option.

I had to use a whole case to do my Large Viv lol, 48x27x52 all 3 sides are covered in Cork Tiles. My Panther quite often in fact, climbs them and hangs out on them. (Excuse the lack of leaf litter, I robbed it for the beetles, as they eat it like crazzy, its been replaced since taken this photo. Need to take a new photo tomorrow)

 

[Dbash44]

View attachment 263140

Can you show us more of this wizardry?

 

[cyberlocc]

Can you show us more of this wizardry?

WYM? More wizardry of what? Cork Panels? I'm confused.

Or more pics of that cage.

That pic cut off a bit, you cant see thw feeder cup on the left. Which is a branch, ill get some more pics tomorrow. That one I took the other night, and it was 30 mins after lights out. Don't want to wake him up again lol.

I got skme media here of building it though, if that's what your curious about.
View media item 48448
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It was originally designed to be 2 cages swapped it into 1.

The pic with wood color, the center was ripped out and their is more 2x2s and then the inner walls covered with 1/4 panels (there is like a 2x2 skeleton you cant see) The black pic is after that was all done and it was painted black i flex sealed soil bin after. My paint job sucks, and I need to do another paint job.

Doors are 1/4 tempered glass sliding. Huge, heavy, they are 25x49 each and weigh like 30lbs a piece.

I went in thinking it would be fun, and likely cheaper than commercial offerings. End of project, over 1000 on the cage/cork alone. Never mind plants and cham lol. So goal failed.

Oh and every plant in there is from Madagascar. I want to add more and am slowly. Hard to find Malagasy plants.

 

[cyberlocc]

If you meant cork.

That viv above has the cork, nailed down with SS crown staples, and a crown nailer.

This one I am doing atm is siliconed. It's for a satanic leaf tail gecko.

Zoomed panel on the back and tree fern on the sides. They take up less room, hold more humidity BUT are vastly more expensive.



The cork panels are half bark, and half corkboard. So they will hold screws/staples. And are about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. So very rigid.

 

[Gypsy702]

I loveee Background tiles!!! I use the Zoomed ones, but any should do.

Not sure how you would attach to screen cage, but you could do it surely. Staples might be an option.

I had to use a whole case to do my Large Viv lol, 48x27x52 all 3 sides are covered in Cork Tiles. My Panther quite often in fact, climbs them and hangs out on them. (Excuse the lack of leaf litter, I robbed it for the beetles, as they eat it like crazzy, its been replaced since taken this photo. Need to take a new photo tomorrow)

View attachment 263140

This is beautiful thanks so much! I love the look of them and figured they would be great for him to climb on. I’ll look into zoomed. Thanks again! This is a beautiful home for your Cham!

 

[Gypsy702]

I highly recommend Dragon Strand drainage trays and dragon ledges. Here is the link to learn more https://dragonstrand.com/alternative-cage-manufaturers/

As for vines I would do real branches. See what you have in your yard. They should come from NON sap producing trees.

For UVB lighting you are looking for a T5HO fixture that is 24 inches and a 5.0 UVB bulb.

Ummmm background tiles? I am thinking you want something to block the water from going out of your cage?

Here is a link that will help you understand their husbandry. https://chameleonacademy.com/
Here is additional info. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

View attachment 263075View attachment 263076

This is all so helpful thanks so much!!!

 

[cyberlocc]

This is beautiful thanks so much! I love the look of them and figured they would be great for him to climb on. I’ll look into zoomed. Thanks again! This is a beautiful home for your Cham!

Thanks.

Let us know if you staple them on or something. I'm curious how that will work out.

I'm sure the staples will hold into cork, I'm not sure how well the screen will hold up, its fairly heavy. It should hold, I just don't know.

Another option, would be maybe using the foam PVC stuff, like dragonstrand does and screwing that to the back, after removing the screen and Silicon the panels on.

If you wanted to use the bark sideways or a different brand, you could do the 24 longs sideways and mount them to the frame with screws somehow.

 

[goosay]

Thanks.

Let us know if you staple them on or something. I'm curious how that will work out.

I'm sure the staples will hold into cork, I'm not sure how well the screen will hold up, its fairly heavy. It should hold, I just don't know.

Another option, would be maybe using the foam PVC stuff, like dragonstrand does and screwing that to the back, after removing the screen and Silicon the panels on.

If you wanted to use the bark sideways or a different brand, you could do the 24 longs sideways and mount them to the frame with screws somehow.

just did this with a screen cage using magnets~ about 4 magnets per cork panel

 

[Gypsy702]

This is so pretty! How did you set it up with the magnets? I can’t really picture it.

 

[Gypsy702]

Thanks.

Let us know if you staple them on or something. I'm curious how that will work out.

I'm sure the staples will hold into cork, I'm not sure how well the screen will hold up, its fairly heavy. It should hold, I just don't know.

Another option, would be maybe using the foam PVC stuff, like dragonstrand does and screwing that to the back, after removing the screen and Silicon the panels on.

If you wanted to use the bark sideways or a different brand, you could do the 24 longs sideways and mount them to the frame with screws somehow.

I’ll definitely keep you updated. My husband is pretty handy and I’m sure he will figure something out. thanks for the tips!

 

[goosay]

This is so pretty! How did you set it up with the magnets? I can’t really picture it.

Thanks!

here's the backside of one of the tiles. Added another two magnets to each corner after I took the pic. Then placed it against the screen and used 4 identical magnets on the outside of the screen to attach & secure each tile. I used 8 magnets per tile and 6 tiles total in the cage (cage is 24x24x48), so its a lot of magnets, but very sturdy..

 

[Gypsy702]

This is very helpful, thanks! Did you just glue them on the tile? And how big were your tiles? I’m trying to figure out how many I need to get based on the sizes I’m finding.

 

[goosay]

This is very helpful, thanks! Did you just glue them on the tile? And how big were your tiles? I’m trying to figure out how many I need to get based on the sizes I’m finding.

Yeah I used gorilla glue epoxy. The tiles I used were 18x24 inches. I had to trim about 6 in. off of the top tile on each wall, but the bottom two tiles on each wall fit perfectly snug!