New Custom Built Enclosure

Hey everyone!

New forum member here. We got our first Chameleon a month ago. It is a Male Veiled, currently 6 months old. His name is Pascal (my daughter named him) after the Tangled character.

I wanted to share the enclosure I made for him. I wanted to design my own to address the glass vs screen debate, the reflection issue and keeping the humidity reasonable in NE Ohio winters.

The wood I choose is Ipe. South American hardwood used for premium decks and outdoor furniture. I choose this for its natural resistence to rot, mold, mildew etc in wet environments. It is unfinished other than the exterior wiped with oil. Interior dimensions are 24"x24"x38". 24"x36" frosted plexiglas panels on three sides, 1/4" gal steel mesh in front and top. To me this was the best mix of humidity and ventilation and the frosting has zero reflection.
Fully meshed bottom that drains into a 24"x24"x2.5" pan. This needs poured out every 2 days until I start phase 2 (cabinet for underneath) then I will drain the pan into a bucket below. Canopy above hides equipment nicely at 6" deep. In there you can see a AquaZamp 2 nozzle raindome, 8.5" reflector w/ 75w basking bulb, and LYR 24" fixture with Arcadia 6% and daylight bulbs.

I hope someone gets an idea from here that can help. The humidity is ranging from 50-70 depending on mistings. I am pleased with this given the weather conditions!

Thanks for all the great info!

A.J.

WOW!!!

Sweet lookin' setup! Pascal is spoiled!!! (that's the way it should be ) Nice looking enclosure there. You've obviously done your homework! Can't wait to see the base.

Awesome, I really like the frosted glass, I find it really tasteful. Great job!

That looks fantastic! I have to make one negative comment though sorry...the rocks you have in your plant pots are too small. You chameleon could easily swallow those. I would trade out for large river rocks that cannot be injested in anyway possible. I don't know if you free range crickets, but if you do and one gets down towards the rocks and your cham shoots and misses or gets a cricket and a pebble then you are gonna have a big problem. Even if you don't freerange the crickets, chameleons will sometimes eat strange things for whatever reason. I would hate to see something awful happen with such a beautiful set up! Welcome to the forums and chameleon ownership!!! P.S. I am guessing the Arcadia are UVB lights? I am not familiar with that particular light.

Ok.......I'm impressed . Welcome to the forum Little Pascal looks great.....what other reptiles have you made home made enclosures for?
Here's a great all-round caresheet I always recommend to new people with Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

now that's a beautiful diy enclosure. great job! oh your cham is cute too.

*claps*
Just...
Well done.

beauty i love the plants on screen above the drainage!
i will copy that!
but as someone who found out chams eat rocks by feces inspection...
get bigger rocks!!!

Hope you arrayed yourself to a nice cold beer after that one.fantastic job looking forward to seeing the base

That looks great!!! I might steal some ideas for sure!

Wow, that is so beautiful

That is a great looking enclosure! I'm definitely building one for my next cham. Hopefully it'll look half as good as this one!

That looks professional, love it, I've done the same with the acrylic on the sides and backs helps keep the misted water in and humidity except mine is clear, love the timber work

Also mate would you mind posting more pics of the construction if you have them, would love to make something like this, thanks

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I will change to bigger rocks, thanks for the heads up.

This is one of the best looking custom enclosures I have ever seen!

How much did you spend on the components, only if you don't mind me asking? I want to build a large outdoor enclosure soon and that wood looks fantastic!

Great Job

omg
WOW!!
that is a reat job on that DIY eclosure totaly jealous I can't wait to do Sven's enclosue this Spring Might have to steel some ofthat frosted glass Idea I like that alot