I put a brief history about my experience because I am new to the forum. If you don't care to read it just scroll down to the question:
History:
A little about by back ground with reptiles.
I mostly have had Iguana's growing up, but all ways wanted a panther. Never got one, because of the dedication it takes with care. I had my last iguana for 12 years before he was stolen from his back yard enclosure, even had it locked. They cut through the mesh.
After that I had a few bearded dragons, they are still doing good, but up at my brother in laws now. He breeds them.
Then I tried to go into salt water fish and had a 200 gallon tank and after realizing how much money I spent on it. I sold my entire setup. I took a break from all exotic pets for a while, until I was able to get into my new house (adult priorities lol)
I was just at the local reptile shop killing time and asked if they had panthers, sure enough they have some that will be ready in two months for 150$ and the father looks OUTSTANDING. I was so blown away with this that I put my name on reserve for one.
Question:
I plan on going all out with the enclosure in the long run. I plan on building a very large enclosure with the proper plans and UVB system. Will probably manually water at first, but will be building a rain system. This is where my questions come in to play.
1: Rain vs Drip: Should I do a full mist system or just a couple drip systems?
2: Enclosure: I was thinking about doing 2 sides screen with a wood back with ventilation installed in the wood back, then a plexiglass front for a better view. I have read a few downsides to glass, air flow being the biggest. If I vent the back side and do the two sides of mess would this be fine? Also Would having the front be glass stress him out?
3: He is going to be very young, should I just go out and build his ultimate sized enclosure or just got some thing smaller to start with.
4: Meshing: what is the best mesh and do you ever have issues with fruit flys getting out of the enclosure through the mesh. I am trying to keep out house pest free as much as possible. I understand it is all most impossible when you have reptiles there will all ways be an escapee, but I would like to minimize it as much as possible.
History:
A little about by back ground with reptiles.
I mostly have had Iguana's growing up, but all ways wanted a panther. Never got one, because of the dedication it takes with care. I had my last iguana for 12 years before he was stolen from his back yard enclosure, even had it locked. They cut through the mesh.
After that I had a few bearded dragons, they are still doing good, but up at my brother in laws now. He breeds them.
Then I tried to go into salt water fish and had a 200 gallon tank and after realizing how much money I spent on it. I sold my entire setup. I took a break from all exotic pets for a while, until I was able to get into my new house (adult priorities lol)
I was just at the local reptile shop killing time and asked if they had panthers, sure enough they have some that will be ready in two months for 150$ and the father looks OUTSTANDING. I was so blown away with this that I put my name on reserve for one.
Question:
I plan on going all out with the enclosure in the long run. I plan on building a very large enclosure with the proper plans and UVB system. Will probably manually water at first, but will be building a rain system. This is where my questions come in to play.
1: Rain vs Drip: Should I do a full mist system or just a couple drip systems?
2: Enclosure: I was thinking about doing 2 sides screen with a wood back with ventilation installed in the wood back, then a plexiglass front for a better view. I have read a few downsides to glass, air flow being the biggest. If I vent the back side and do the two sides of mess would this be fine? Also Would having the front be glass stress him out?
3: He is going to be very young, should I just go out and build his ultimate sized enclosure or just got some thing smaller to start with.
4: Meshing: what is the best mesh and do you ever have issues with fruit flys getting out of the enclosure through the mesh. I am trying to keep out house pest free as much as possible. I understand it is all most impossible when you have reptiles there will all ways be an escapee, but I would like to minimize it as much as possible.