Building a Custom Enclosure

[Beautiful4Ever]

Okay...so I new with this site and trying to get feedback. Attached is a photo of my current enclosure for my chameleon. Well, it will soon be need for change and I am very interested in a nice, more permanent enclosure. I am not interested in paying thousands for a pre-built...I want to build it myself. I have seen some wonderful ideas...and I wanted to open this up to possible get input on some of your favorites things to do for an enclosure...whether it be the enclosure itself, the plants within, I am open to all ideas! Thanks again

 

[pigglett79]

building your own cage is fun and exciting. it allows you to be creative and build it how you want it. Here is what my boyfriend and I did.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/finally-ultimate-cage-build-complete-sort-97517/

There are some steps and a video as well.

 

[Beautiful4Ever]

That is really well made...thanks for the input. Love your concept and the colors are fun and quirky

 

[Decadancin]

My build started as a way to have the enclosure in the living room without seeing all the lights and wires. It was a very fun project! I know you saw the pics, but here is a link to one of my blogs on lighting to give you some additional ideas .

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/771-spring-lighting-schedule.html

I think you might have already seen these too!

Can't wait to see what you decide to build.

 

[Beautiful4Ever]

I will definitely post it as soon as it is built. I will also start some albums...when I am allowed to. lol

 

[Ctg]

I'm going to start a custom build this weekend, love the ideas guys!

 

[Beautiful4Ever]

EDIT!...So I have all of the main ideas for my enclosure, however I have question concerning moss. I had heard some good things and bad. However unlike so many others with moss, I am interested in using it within my background...on the back wall. Is this still a bad idea or fine?

Thanks in advance

 

[chefboyardee]

EDIT!...So I have all of the main ideas for my enclosure, however I have question concerning moss. I had heard some good things and bad. However unlike so many others with moss, I am interested in using it within my background...on the back wall. Is this still a bad idea or fine?

Thanks in advance

generally avoided by most, but it depends on how you approach it.
Free hanging moss, especially coarse/decorative stuff like Spanish moss thats been treated or coated, poses a small impaction risk and allows for small feeders to hide. If its short fibre/soft moss like sphagnum, and its incorporated into a fixed background or used on fake vines, it should be fine

I used 'great stuff' to create a vivarium w/ a planted background but a bare floor/sides (https://www.chameleonforums.com/custom-viv-reconstruction-111774/). I used a similar technique to create vines from 3/4" tubing coated in silicone and then a peat-sphagnum moss mixture

heres a good break down

about 22:20 in (long vid) she explains how to make fake vines

 

[Beautiful4Ever]

Too funny...I just watched this video

 

[sandrachameleon]

longer strands of moss, if eaten, could get caught and twisted in digestion.
moss could harbour bacteria, hide prey...

doesn't mean no one uses it, especially in Europe.