Finished screen cage (criticism wanted)

[tatted1]

So I finally got Kai male veiled moved in his new domain. What a relief! I have never owned a reptile or built a cage so I hope I did ok.What do ya think? Also I bought him from a guy who kept him in a wire bird cage that was not big enough for a male veiled so anything wouldve been an improvement.Whats your thoughts good or bad doesnt matter?Heres some pics of old and new.......................

 

[tkilgour]

From what i can see the final project is a 100 x better than original. Great work. I am not sure what lighting your using or types of plants but I am sure you know what your doing. Good job.

 

[tatted1]

-Lighting: 100w Basking bulb. Reptisun 5.0 18in. tube, 60 w house bulb for more light since cage is so big(is this too much?)

-Plants : Majesty Palm and Scheleffera all washed up and covered soil w/ large rock. All plants are live and all branches are real too except for one fake vine and two wooden perches from old setup

I still need thermometers and hygrometer(where can I get them at an affordable price without sacrificing quality?)

Little dripper drip system cause I got sick of fighting w/ my homemade POS!LOL

 

[summoner12]

Looks like a great improvement. What kind of UV light are you using and Why do you have two heat lamps?

The only think I might change is the plant you are using. I don't know if it isn't safe.. but it isn't very full like a Ficus or Schefflera can be. These two types of plants also provide a lot of places to climb and hide.

 

[tatted1]

Plant is a Majesty Palm and is on the safe list.Cant find any Ficus in St louis right now.And the other plant is a Schefflera. One light was for basking and the other one was to add more light guess its too high of wattage.What wattage is good for just illumination(40W blue bulb ok?)

 

[lisa h]

Looks great! I like the corner shelf for the plant.

 

[Surfrat]

I would lose the 60watt bulb. Two basking bulbs is a bit much imho! Other then that, very nice job on the cage. I am sure he will be happy!

 

[tatted1]

Not using the 60W anymore.It seems kind of dark still so what should I do to add light w/out adding more heat? Just switching to a lower wattage housebulb like a 40W ok?

 

[jannb]

Your cage looks great!!!!! Instead of a brighter bulb maybe you could move the cage to a brighter area in your house. They do love to be in front of a window. Most chameleons do not like the color red. Not sure about the red curtain you might want to replace with green or blue their favorite colors. Jann

 

[Joy Leaf]

I believe looking at the pics that it is sitting in front of a window. Now regarding color I have no idea, theres no red near either of our two chams.

I too would like to find a reliable and affordable thermometer/hygrometer?

 

[chameleonman57]

Very nice improvement.

 

[summoner12]

-Lighting: 100w Basking bulb. Reptisun 5.0 18in. tube, 60 w house bulb for more light since cage is so big(is this too much?)

-Plants : Majesty Palm and Scheleffera all washed up and covered soil w/ large rock. All plants are live and all branches are real too except for one fake vine and two wooden perches from old setup

I still need thermometers and hygrometer(where can I get them at an affordable price without sacrificing quality?)

Little dripper drip system cause I got sick of fighting w/ my homemade POS!LOL

lol i wrote my reply to your thread as you wrote this...

What you have works good. I would dump the second heat lamp. And maybe even dial back on the 100w. What kind of ambient temps do you have in the room? I think you might have just a tad too much heat from that lamp. But if you are getting the right temps, then go for it. I use spot lamps so the light is directed and focused in one spot. This lets me use a lower wattage light and save a bit of money on the electric bills

 

[tatted1]

Yeah I read someones cham was aggitated by the color red but figured it was just case specific. Had no idea chams had color preferences.Now I gotta buy curtains for my fiance and Kai (what did I get myself into)LOL!!!!!

 

[slowfoot]

Not using the 60W anymore.It seems kind of dark still so what should I do to add light w/out adding more heat? Just switching to a lower wattage housebulb like a 40W ok?

You could try using a compact fluorescent bulb - not one made for reptiles (stay away from those), but just a regular home-use bulb. I use them for my salamanders when I want more light, but not heat. They're nice and bright, but stay pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure these don't have the same eye problem causing issues as the UVB version, but maybe someone who has more info will comment.

 

[beeze]

You could try using a compact fluorescent bulb - not one made for reptiles (stay away from those), but just a regular home-use bulb. I use them for my salamanders when I want more light, but not heat. They're nice and bright, but stay pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure these don't have the same eye problem causing issues as the UVB version, but maybe someone who has more info will comment.

I wouldn't take a chance on any compact bulb. BTW Nice job on the cage!

 

[laurie]

That cage is awesome, what size is it? I think you are doing great. i buy lots of thermometer/ hygrometer combo at Walmart for about $18. Have them in all my cages. If you need semi-local help my sister is in springfield, mo and has kept and bred reptiles for about 30 years. (yes she & I are old ). I can give you her ph # if you PM me. Keep up the great job.

 

[jheitz]

I have a dual florescent hood. One slot has a 5.o retisun, the other a regular aquarium light and it works great. No added heat or CFL issues, and it does brighten things up as well as his color. Nice job on the set up.

 

[Joy Leaf]

I just picked up a digital thermometer/hygrometer at WalMart for $12 on sale. Has an indoor temp and a probe for "outdoor" temp and humidity. So far its working great. I plan on buying a couple more tomorrow for my other two enclosures.

 

[tatted1]

It is 2.5X2.5X5' with the legs i built on closer to 6'.Think I am gonna add casters to the legs so I can move it easier.Also will get Kai a little higher up so he feels as safe as he needs to.

 

[tatted1]

I just ordered a digital Ther/Hygro off ebay hoping it will be here by the end of the week. For $12 I think Im gonna buy from Walmart tonight so I can make sure my temps and humidity are good.I guess I can always use one for basking spot temps and the other for temp outside of the basking spot.