Almost done with the cage. How's it look?

[chambabysitter1]

So today I spent wrapping up the cage for my juvenile panther. Everything is done except for the lateral branches. They are still drying and I am grabbing some thumbtacks in a bit to put them up.

I repotted a giant sheffelera I found into a large bonsai pot. The roots gave a bit of a fight, but I got them in there. Potted with some Miracle grow organic soil mix. Then I covered all the dirt up with some irish moss. Sadly, I just found out it wont last, so I got some japanese moss lined up from a special friend.

Got one of those cheap acurite weather guages for my temperature and humidity, I have the probe tied to where his highest accessible basking spot would be right now. We'll see what the temps are when it warms up.

24" inch hood with an 18" Reptisun 5.0 UVB.
Dome light in the back is a Zoo Med Basking Spot Lamp, 50w. I got a 75w leftover also.

Draining solution for now is a dish drying rack and tub from wallyworld. PVC in the LLL cage has drainage holes in it. Towel underneath for spills. I have a 24x24" rabbit drop pan coming in the mail that has some nice ribs in it to catch water, this will be my solution for my larger cage and perhaps this one as well.

Still need to get something to cover my walls too. The paint is pretty new.

The end. Still gotta put up those lateral branches and I am done.

 

[blackbetty]

Did that cage some with a drainage setup? Very neat.

Cover the walls? SO you dont get water when misting? Id cut a garbage bag down to size and tape it on..I think someone else said they used some vinyl material..

 

[chambabysitter1]

Did that cage some with a drainage setup? Very neat.

Cover the walls? SO you dont get water when misting? Id cut a garbage bag down to size and tape it on..I think someone else said they used some vinyl material..

Probably going with the vinyl. I spent a few days doing like 4 layers of paint, I'll be damned if I don't show it off.

 

[Dunnigan]

I thumb tacked some towels up behind my cages. Every week or two i take them down and wash them. Havent had any problems with water on the walls so far

 

[chambabysitter1]

Here is the cage with lateral branches. So minus the temporary moss at the pot and needing more thumbtacks to hold branches steady, I am done.

4 branches at about 3 levels for him to hang out on, they are pretty thick compared to the sheff

That 50 watt is hitting 110 In the basking spot. Trying to think of solutions now.

 

[NewOwner]

Here is the cage with lateral branches. So minus the temporary moss at the pot and needing more thumbtacks to hold branches steady, I am done.

4 branches at about 3 levels for him to hang out on, they are pretty thick compared to the sheff

That 50 watt is hitting 110 In the basking spot. Trying to think of solutions now.

Raise the 50 watt, up about 6 inches or go higher

 

[chambabysitter1]

Ran to lowes and found this. Testing temps now.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Testing the temps.... Oh My Gosh! That was the absolute most challenging part of setting up my entire cage.

It became so obvious to me why you don't buy your cham first. I was opening that cage door and moving branches, closing the cage door and moving the light and on and on and on.

I'm getting tired just remembering about it

 

[ToniandGizmo]

So glad to see you've gotten a lamp clamp. I always worry about them burning their little feet when the lamps are placed directly on the top of the cages.

Just be careful that it doesn't get too hot (or to close) to your UVB housing. I almost melted mine down with my basking light during my first feeble lamp adjustment tests.

 

[chambabysitter1]

hahaha, good plan Toni, Ill watch the fixture for the UVB right now.

Getting a solid 79.5-80 now. Here is my new stand so I can clip the distance at will. Totally hideous compared to everything else, gotta spray paint it black to match the table later. Maybe green like the wall.

 

[chamelisa]

Probably going with the vinyl. I spent a few days doing like 4 layers of paint, I'll be damned if I don't show it off.

Chris, you can get that clear vinyl from WalMart. It's like $5 per roll and you can place it behind the cage. It will protect your walls from water damage. I used it for two years in our guesthouse and it didn't pull the paint off when I removed it.

 

[chamelisa]

Nice!

Talk about dedication! Kayleigh wasn't kidding how much you focus on doing the job right. I like the plant, you know! haha!

 

[ToniandGizmo]

It's looking good. You are going to be awesome chameleon parents. It's so obvious that you want everything to be just right for your little one's arrival. Keep up the excellent work!

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Gizmo's first baby picture upon his arrival. He was just about as long (snout to vent) as one of his ficus leaves. His "Ambanja Nose" was just a little nub back then.

My how they grow.... sigh'

 

[summoner12]

Looks good Chris!

I don't understand the need for plastic...... unless you have a misthing system...

But better sage than sorry.

 

[chambabysitter1]

Thank you for the compliments everyone.
I have to sit back and toot my own horn for a bit. Pretty proud of how this turned out, especially now that I am checking my temp ranges. It's in the perfect range from top to bottom. Humidity is gold too.

I am freaking happy with this. So excited for tomorrow, this guy has one quality mansion to dig if I do say so myself.

 

[Jason4045]

Indeed, I am likeing the new set-up and that cham is a beauty!! Nice work pal!

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Indeed, I am likeing the new set-up and that cham is a beauty!! Nice work pal!

Okay what did I miss? Didn't see any chams anywhere.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I think he mixed up yours for mine. hahaha, it happens.

 

[Cainschams]

Your guy is going to love his enclosure!!!!! The one thing I would suggest and didnt see is to move the uvb closer to where the basking light goes into the cage. This way he will get uvb and heat/uva at the same time.

Sorry just noticed in the last pic is was to the side but in the first ones the placement is good. Great job again!