NICK GILCHRIST
New Member
As its likely that in a very short time i will have to move my Oustellets into larger cages. I will be getting some other young chams to go into the cages that the Ousties are currently in...In so doing. i decided that i would purchase several more of the smaller cage units as well. as its likely other young chams will be purchased including. Panthers (Ambilobe) as well as a pair of Jacksons...
With Juvenile. or small Chams. i tend to house them in Aluminium frame cages..and in the past i have bought these from EBAY..now unlike the REPTIBREEZE ones..the sizes are different..the largest ones are 75cm x 45cm x 75cm
When I received my first 2 cages..(tHE LARGEST)...SEE PIC
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/DSC00808.jpg
I set to work building a hood in furniture board as well as a matching base..( I used to own a Vivarium build company in the uk) rather than use the usual format of a purchased hood etc..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/chamviv1.jpg
As these units did not feature a removable tray...i built some from acrylic to drop into the base of each unit..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/cage1.jpg
The lighting was installed in the hood area ..which was a drop on type unit..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/cage9.jpg
Anyway..to get to the point!!
It looked great..but..i decided the design was flawed..as the lid was heavy and awkward to remove etc..so then i designed another format...this design allows for the cage ubit to be easily removed as it simply slides into place as the construction is a framework..i used this design for my smaller 2 cages which housed the Oustallet babies...the finished units are both placed on riser shelves to lift them up off the floor..You will notice that the new design features a hinged lid. for acess into the top area which houses the spot light holder and fluorescent fitting..also the pics show tthat there is an optional backplate attached to increase humidity if required and stop spray through if hand misting etc..the sides are still 1/2 exposed mesh and the front is full screen. As all electrics are contained within the frame. the cage itself can be slid out intact to allow you to maybe put the chameleons outside on sunny days..ideal as well for young chameleons.
Below are the original design plans that i created for the build up of the framework...if there is any interest in the construction details and cut sizes of wood required to build this for any small to medium cage unit..then i will happily post up a blow by bliow "how to" thread..
The first attempt at this format..actually was made from 2 flatpack book cases i purchased from a DIY store.(BUILD COST LESS THAN $20 PER UNIT).hence not quite the same design as i had to use only the wood supplied..so the units above are the improved..version with all wiring/lighting internal of the hood.The units shown have light coming through the tops..only because i had not screwed them down yet!
With Juvenile. or small Chams. i tend to house them in Aluminium frame cages..and in the past i have bought these from EBAY..now unlike the REPTIBREEZE ones..the sizes are different..the largest ones are 75cm x 45cm x 75cm
When I received my first 2 cages..(tHE LARGEST)...SEE PIC
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/DSC00808.jpg
I set to work building a hood in furniture board as well as a matching base..( I used to own a Vivarium build company in the uk) rather than use the usual format of a purchased hood etc..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/chamviv1.jpg
As these units did not feature a removable tray...i built some from acrylic to drop into the base of each unit..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/cage1.jpg
The lighting was installed in the hood area ..which was a drop on type unit..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/nickshock/cage9.jpg
Anyway..to get to the point!!
It looked great..but..i decided the design was flawed..as the lid was heavy and awkward to remove etc..so then i designed another format...this design allows for the cage ubit to be easily removed as it simply slides into place as the construction is a framework..i used this design for my smaller 2 cages which housed the Oustallet babies...the finished units are both placed on riser shelves to lift them up off the floor..You will notice that the new design features a hinged lid. for acess into the top area which houses the spot light holder and fluorescent fitting..also the pics show tthat there is an optional backplate attached to increase humidity if required and stop spray through if hand misting etc..the sides are still 1/2 exposed mesh and the front is full screen. As all electrics are contained within the frame. the cage itself can be slid out intact to allow you to maybe put the chameleons outside on sunny days..ideal as well for young chameleons.
Below are the original design plans that i created for the build up of the framework...if there is any interest in the construction details and cut sizes of wood required to build this for any small to medium cage unit..then i will happily post up a blow by bliow "how to" thread..
The first attempt at this format..actually was made from 2 flatpack book cases i purchased from a DIY store.(BUILD COST LESS THAN $20 PER UNIT).hence not quite the same design as i had to use only the wood supplied..so the units above are the improved..version with all wiring/lighting internal of the hood.The units shown have light coming through the tops..only because i had not screwed them down yet!
