In Progress Build: Dragonstrand Clear Cage with Custom Photo Background

ricksli

Member
Working on my large dragon strand cage (24"x24"x48"). I decided to go with a photo background rather than deal with putting pieces together, silicone etc etc for a 3D one. Figured I'd keep things simple...and not have to worry about crickets getting behind a background either. This was printed and cut to the dimensions I provided.

Anyway, this is supposedly a photo from Eastern Madagascar. I've got plenty of vines and plants to put in still. I have an assortment of ficus, small "green fantasy" ferns that look like moss, and several bird's nest ferns to mimic those on the background. The long slightly ruffled leaves should work great for dripping/drinking water. Should make for a happy chameleon!

Photo Sep 08, 7 46 50 PM copy.jpg
 
Honestly...it looks epic! Awesome job so far,all looks tied together awesomely.
 
Thanks guys. Putting the vines/branches right now....

It's printed on a heavy vinyl...feels like heavy wallpaper. I laid the cage down, placed the background on the back, used some black electrical tape to hold it in place and hide any small gaps. Then I put a single piece of cardboard behind the background that I had saved from the cage shipping box. Then taped that in place to hold it firm.
 
Here's some progress. A few more plants and vines to go in. I want to make sure that the UV and Basking areas have branches available at several levels. Nothing touches the bottom of the cage.

Hard to tell from the photo, but the background remains largely visible...especially from the right side of the cage where I will tend to do most viewing while at my desk.

The small birds nest ferns should grow to a decent size and hopefully, as leaves die and brown, I will be able to achieve the look of those on the background. Some of the natural curves of the vines were great to hold some of the pots.

Photo Sep 09, 8 02 23 PM.jpg
 
Looks really good and we'll laid out :)
I used a few fake vines and plants to cover the pots of my plants,it also helped tie the look together and add extra spots to hide if he wanted.
 
Wow! That looks fantastic. Where in the world did you get those jungle/curly vines?


Edit: I found some, I think.
 
I too would be interested in a little more information on those vines. They look sweet, and I seem to have troubles finding branches to saw off in my backyard. Thanks!
 
I don't know brand they are. They're just loose vines from a local shop.

Here's some updated photos and my light fixture. It's an Odyssea Quad T5 that came with 4 6500K Daylight bulbs. I ordered an Arcadia UVB 6% and Plant Pro from lightyourreptiles. Single cord, built in clock and timers. Each pair plus the blue led moonlights can be programmed independently and can be turned on/off manually as well.

There's plenty of levels under the basking light and UVB to choose from and plenty of space behind the ficus plants to hide.
 

Attachments

  • Photo Sep 10, 7 30 24 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 7 30 24 PM copy.jpg
    75.3 KB · Views: 270
  • Photo Sep 10, 7 51 13 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 7 51 13 PM copy.jpg
    83.6 KB · Views: 328
  • Photo Sep 10, 7 51 25 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 7 51 25 PM copy.jpg
    80.9 KB · Views: 255
  • Photo Sep 10, 7 51 48 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 7 51 48 PM copy.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 268
  • Photo Sep 10, 7 52 11 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 7 52 11 PM copy.jpg
    126.7 KB · Views: 300
Moonlight anyway? LOL. I had the moon laying around. (It's outside the cage, mounted to the wall)
 

Attachments

  • Photo Sep 10, 9 28 32 PM.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 9 28 32 PM.jpg
    44.3 KB · Views: 215
  • Photo Sep 10, 9 28 42 PM copy.jpg
    Photo Sep 10, 9 28 42 PM copy.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 202
Back
Top Bottom