DIY drainage system

[cushcameleon]

I made my own drainage system a couple days ago. It works really well. I attached some pictures for those of you looking to create a more efficient system or to give you some alternative ideas. Most of the materials I found at my house, all the other stuff I was able to buy at Home Depot.

You only need a couple materials:
(1) Wire/metal bin (the bin must have holes or cross-sections of metal/wire so they it cannot retain water, is also must be large enough to cover the bottom surface of your cage).
(1) Large plastic container (short enough to fit underneath the metal bin when storage bin when it is flipped over, and wide enough to cover most of the surface underneath the metal bin).
(1) Roll of screen door mesh.
(1) Roll of duct tape.
(1) Pack of small zipties.
(1) Pair of wire cutters (to cut one side of the metal storage bin)

Step-by-step (it does not have to go in any specific order):
1) Cut out a piece of screen door mesh and cover the bottom of the bin, fasten it around the metal pin using zipties.
2) Flip the metal storage bin upside down and cut off one of the sides (this allows you to easily slide the plastic container in and out of the metal bin, while the cage is on top of it).
3) Remove the bottom of your cage (you no longer need it) and cut out a piece of screen door mesh large enough to cover the entire bottom surface of the cage and use tape to secure it (any plants or climbing structures will be supported by the metal bin)
4) Place the cage (that now has a bottom of screen mesh) on top of the wire metal bin (which should be upside down) and slide the plastic container underneath the wire bin.
5) Enjoy your drainage system .

 

[cushcameleon]

Heres some pictures. You may noticed that I used folded paper bowls, this is because I haven't purchased a bigger storage container to fit underneath the wire bin .

 

[CNorton]

Not to bust on you bro, but your system is a little on the ghetto side.

I guess it's working for you though. right on man.

 

[cushcameleon]

your system is a little on the ghetto side.

Well its cheap and works great. It's a design for the people who are little less skilled when it comes to craftsmanship, like myself .

 

[alhickabee]

ghetto yes but as long as it works right! But it looks like you husbandry needs a little critiquing. Looks like you have a compact UVB light which are a big big big no no. You should post up the "how to ask for help" questionnaire found stickied in the health forum so senior members can help you get your set-up perfect. Good luck!

 

[cushcameleon]

I think I have to explain my lighting setup everytime I post pictures of my cage ....... anways it is not a compact UVB light. It is a powersun UV bulb (it has heat, UVA and UVB). The light is new on the the market, but it saved me a lot of money. Some people advise against this way of lighting, but as of right now I am having no problems with it and most of the people who criticize it have not researched about it. My cham is very healthy and has great color and the temperature range is perfect. So as of right now I'm sticking with this bulb and please do ignore the fact that I am a junior member, it does not mean I am on the "junior" level of chameleon keeping.

 

[alhickabee]

Gotcha kinda thought that but then again I thought I saw a bit of a spiral. As you know just gotta watch your temps and keep the bulb at a distance. Set-up looks cool man!

 

[cushcameleon]

Yep yep, thanks dude!

 

[Docility]

probably take a few months to see any issues arise out of the bulb, and could be years if the UVB wasnt being absorbed at the right levels. FYI on that, and i think the bottom looks great you are using newspaper to keep the moisture off the wood stand and once you get a bigger tub the bowls can come out. i dont think it looks ghetto lol

 

[cushcameleon]

i dont think it looks ghetto lol

Thanks man and FYI on the bulb. It actually has tested to be more effective then other bulbs in some circumstances, for example the UVB rays travel as far as 6 feet from this bulb , which is awesome .

 

[chambabysitter1]

Why not just drill holes in the PVC plastic and let the water run through the holes, then the grate?
The weight of a plant usually creates enough of a concave to bring the water straight to the center.

That way you don't have to have ghetto screen hanging everywhere.

 

[cushcameleon]

Why not just drill holes in the PVC plastic and let the water run through the holes, then the grate?
The weight of a plant usually creates enough of a concave to bring the water straight to the center.

That way you don't have to have ghetto screen hanging everywhere.

That was my first attempt, but it didnt work quite well. This way is very effective and as long as it works and doesn't stress out the cham, thats all I care about . Asthetics aren't everything .

 

[summoner12]

What kind of lamp is that?

Do you have a UVB meter? If the rays go 6 feet.... I can't imagine what that cham is being exposed to........

 

[jojackson]

The wire basket thing supports the cage and the weight of the plant right? So why the fly mesh? Bigger tub and its fine.

 

[cushcameleon]

The wire basket thing supports the cage and the weight of the plant right? So why the fly mesh? Bigger tub and its fine.

The mesh is to keep bugs in the cage. I do all free range feeding with my feeders.

 

[jojackson]

The cage has no bottom? still confused.

 

[cushcameleon]

Sorry I misunderstood your question at first, the wire bin supports the weight of the cage and the weight of the plant.

 

[ChamNovice]

The cage has no bottom? still confused.

The cages come with a PVC bottom originally, I believe he removed this piece and just sets the cage on top of the mesh and wire support. If that's the case, then yes you are correct it has no bottom.

 

[cushcameleon]

The cages come with a PVC bottom originally, I believe he removed this piece and just sets the cage on top of the mesh and wire support. If that's the case, then yes you are correct it has no bottom.

Chamnovice is correct, I guess some people didn't feel like reading the directions thouroughly .

 

[jojackson]

Thanks for the clarification, and No, I Didnt!