diy enclosure

[kwm]

Looking for some help on building an enclosure. I'm not very handy but I would like to build one of my own for the first time so any help would be greatly appreciated. Something easy and affordable, but with a false bottom because I plan on planting umbrella plants. And I'm looking to have three artificial walls, seeing how I live in a colder state so humidity is harder to achieve.

So if anyone has any ideas it would be very helpful to me. I'm really not worried about the size as I can always make the necessary adjustments.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kimbodini1]

I'm also in the process of building a new enclosure. Well mine is almost complete now. What is did was buy 2x12's and ripped them down on the table saw so I had square support beams for the frame. However I later discovered Home Depot sells 2x2x8's for less than $2. I glued and screwed them all together. I purchased screen kits from Menards and a roll of screen. Roughly $10 per 2'x4' section. I used quarter round trim to give a finished look to everything and also to create a sliding track for my cage doors and the sliding doors underneath.

 

[kimbodini1]

Here is a photo of the current state. I still need to trim the large screens in and sand/stain. If you need any other pics in specific let me know and I can post for you. I probably have around $150 in materials if that helps.

 

[repdog]

I looked for furniture on craigslist.com and converted it to a cage.

 

[Montium]

DIY's seldom save you money. Most folks do them to fit their needs for an enclosure. I still like using these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Swan-25-...wmZU0lbC-XtEL3xG3aH6PtKMrcI8pyfVKDhoCPADw_wcB

for smaller enclosures as you can solve all your drainage needs with a hose. You can also vary the height of the floor with a grate. Obviously you need some sort of top with it but there are plenty of way to make it happen.

Chameleons are no different than any other pet in terms of cost. Buying it will be the cheapest thing you do. Housing, feeding, vet bills, lighting, misting, etc will be a continued and ongoing cost. If you are not prepared for those costs then you won't be happy with the hobby and your animal will most likely suffer for it.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Here is a photo of the current state. I still need to trim the large screens in and sand/stain. If you need any other pics in specific let me know and I can post for you. I probably have around $150 in materials if that helps.

Wow! That looks really nice!

 

[Rango3d]

DIY can save money. Some of my baby cages.

 

[kwm]

I'm also in the process of building a new enclosure. Well mine is almost complete now. What is did was buy 2x12's and ripped them down on the table saw so I had square support beams for the frame. However I later discovered Home Depot sells 2x2x8's for less than $2. I glued and screwed them all together. I purchased screen kits from Menards and a roll of screen. Roughly $10 per 2'x4' section. I used quarter round trim to give a finished look to everything and also to create a sliding track for my cage doors and the sliding doors underneath.

Your setup is pretty much what I have in mind of what I wanted. How much was the cost for your supplies? I'm trying to to stay on a budget so when spring and summer come around I can get plants. And my chameleon the following week I get everything setup. And please do post up pics of your setup.

Great build btw

 

[kimbodini1]

I probably have around $150 in materials. I used roughly 8 2x2's, 15 8' sticks of 1/2" quarter round, 1 4x8 sheet of ply, 4 screen window kits. I finally have it all assembled and stained and started decorating the inside. I'll post more pics tomorrow. Also, I already had all the light fixtures so I did not include those in the price.

 

[johnnyev]

Looks great.
Have you water proofed the inside & what did you use?

 

[mvad]

Excellent looking enclosure. It will make a mighty fine home for a chameleon.

 

[kimbodini1]

I have attached some more photos so you can kinda see how I made some things such as the sliding screen doors on the front. Also to answer the sealant question, I used Varathane wood stain. The only wood on the inside of the enclosure is the 4 corner posts and the back panel and I used several coats of the stain. I still need to install a mist king in the near future, re-pot the plants and cover with stone, add one more tree (Ficus) and add some more horizontal branches.

 

[Rango3d]

Great job!

 

[djorgensen3]

Awesome!!!

That is an incredible enclosure!! I had to subscribe to your thread so I can steal some ideas from you..lol. I hope you don't mind.

 

[kimbodini1]

Thanks everyone!
This will be for my first chameleon. I purchased a male Ambilobe from Heroic Chameleons but the weather here in Michigan is not cooperating. It gives me time to do more research and get this enclosure completed.

 

[kwm]

Thanks everyone!
This will be for my first chameleon. I purchased a male Ambilobe from Heroic Chameleons but the weather here in Michigan is not cooperating. It gives me time to do more research and get this enclosure completed.

Great setup. And I know how you feel I'm in Michigan too.