Habitat Question

[Ladybones]

I will be getting a Juvenile Veiled Chameleon, My current cage for him is a 12x18x20 I know it's small, its to house him temporary while I build him a new one. My question is, I have a fish tank that is not used, I know I won't put him in it, But the tank is 24x24x22, I would like to make the same size screen enclosure to put on top, so it will be half and half, and very tall, I will have live plants on the bottom in the Aquarium part (safe ones for my Chameleon to it) He will have plenty of ventilation on top plus be very high up, Will that work for a suitable habitat for him?

Thanks

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Really good idea, yes and no. Depends on who you ask, and how you will be setting it up. Ventilation will come from being on top, the glass bottom will help with humidity. How will you handle drainage? A bowl/bucket would do the trick. Live plants in the pot? Substrate even organic soil can cause mold due to high humidity.

Also how will you connect the two? I'd personally build the frame slightly smaller in width/length and basically have an empty box to set into the tank. (So only screen in the top basically)

 

[Ladybones]

I would have live plants in a pot in the aquarium, rocks on top of the soil also indoor/outdoor carpet on the bottom that I can easily take out and switch out every day so no water will be standing all times on the bottom, the top of the tank has a lip so I figured I could clamp the screen top to the aquarium itself so the top will come off easily for cleaning.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Sounds very hard to get in and out of, I built my 2 1/2 X 4 X 6 with a door 2 X 6, wishing it was larger to get in and out of the cage.

Not sure what kind of carpet your using but I'd advise against it, sounds like a breeding ground for mold. Most people just use paper towels, I personally use plastic to protect my carpet, and just spot clean.