Benton1576
New Member
Hi,
Ive been working on some designs on cages for my panther chameleons. Ive decided im gonna make them 100x50x50 which i think is the absolute minimum i will build for 1 from the ammount of research i have done regarding their minimum requirements.
Heres what i have so far. Ill be building a frame from 1" square. The inside of the frame will be covered with PVC foamboard and sealed. The outside will be covered with laminated hard wood, similar to that used in the bottom of drawers/back of wardrobes. Sandwiched between the 2 will be Polystyrene sheet for better insulation, this will keep it cooler in the summer and warm in the winter. The door and roof will be made from fly screen with a 1 inch frame around it. I will be attaching a magnetic strip to the back of the frame, and 1 on the frame of the cage at the front so it lines up with the door. No risk of bugs escaping then.
Now, heres what im a little confused about. Im told by many people over here in Germany that i will need to put a substrate in the bottom as for 1. it helps with the humidity and 2. they sometimes eat a bit to help with digestion. Im not so keen on the idea becauseof the obvious risk of impaction. I was gonna build the floor 10cm higher and put a drainage hole in it with a sink plug or similar, then a plastic tray underneath to catch any water. I think it is a much cleaner option doing it this way.
Any thoughts? Ive already got a good idea what im going to do and what you all going to say but i thought is get some imput before i start spending more money on this project as im building 10 in total so its not gonna be cheap!!!
Ive been working on some designs on cages for my panther chameleons. Ive decided im gonna make them 100x50x50 which i think is the absolute minimum i will build for 1 from the ammount of research i have done regarding their minimum requirements.
Heres what i have so far. Ill be building a frame from 1" square. The inside of the frame will be covered with PVC foamboard and sealed. The outside will be covered with laminated hard wood, similar to that used in the bottom of drawers/back of wardrobes. Sandwiched between the 2 will be Polystyrene sheet for better insulation, this will keep it cooler in the summer and warm in the winter. The door and roof will be made from fly screen with a 1 inch frame around it. I will be attaching a magnetic strip to the back of the frame, and 1 on the frame of the cage at the front so it lines up with the door. No risk of bugs escaping then.
Now, heres what im a little confused about. Im told by many people over here in Germany that i will need to put a substrate in the bottom as for 1. it helps with the humidity and 2. they sometimes eat a bit to help with digestion. Im not so keen on the idea becauseof the obvious risk of impaction. I was gonna build the floor 10cm higher and put a drainage hole in it with a sink plug or similar, then a plastic tray underneath to catch any water. I think it is a much cleaner option doing it this way.
Any thoughts? Ive already got a good idea what im going to do and what you all going to say but i thought is get some imput before i start spending more money on this project as im building 10 in total so its not gonna be cheap!!!
