Mesh or Wooden Enclosure in UK???

[Chris P]

Hi to all, this is my first posting on the forum. I am looking for advise as to the best type of enclosure for a male Veiled Chameleon in the UK.
My current enclosure is a wooden viv with glass sliding doors. I currently use a UVB 5.0 Repti Sun tube and a 60W basking bulb and am achieving good temperatures. I am misting the enclosure several times a day and have removed the waterfall that the previous keeper sold me with the Chameleon and Setup.
I am aware from reading some of the many postings that this type of enclosure can lead to problems due to lack of ventilation and I have been looking into mesh cages from Terry Thatcher.
My concern is keeping humidity and the correct temperatures if I was to go down this avenue and I am seeking opinions from some of the guys and girls who may have this type of set-up.
Any suggestions would be gratefully recieved. Many thanks, Chris

 

[tryme]

Yeah the wooden vivs aren't really ideal at all due to the ventilation etc. Screen enclosures are always best. I got mine from this guy:
http://www.crislis.co.uk/thatcher/index.php

it cost me £180 INC p&p and that was for a 24x24x48

I also built my own outside enclosure for the warm weather (funny that as it is raining right now lol)

https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-diy-outside-enclosure-23464/

 

[Chris P]

Thanks, I thought this was the case from what I have read over the past couple of weeks.
What lighting and UVB setup do you use with your Mesh Cage?
Do you mist or use a dripper system?
Do you feel it's best to have some real plants in there too?
It would be great to see some pictures if anyones willing to share.
Sorry to ask so many questions but I want the best for my boy.

 

[bluegoldfish]

I have a aluminium mesh cage 24x24x48, i also live in the UK, but some serious luck i managed to pick up mine off someone who had imported these cages over from america but was no longer in need of it. It comes flat pack so you have to build it up, very easy. Then me and my dad constructed a wooden frame to go around some of the cage so that i could keep water spray in and not go straight through to the walls in my room lol.

I covered partially this wooden frame in camoflauge pattern waterproof tarpaulin, and build a wooden frame on top, for me to put lighting starter unit and the big dripper water bottle so it didnt put pressure on the mesh top of the cage.

(P.s. i dont use the waterfall shown in the first picture!)

The inside has been remodeled countless times as cham likes to rip apart plants and make it his own lol.

There are two 24" flourescent tubes on top of the mesh covered by reflectors for UV, there is also a heat dome lamp on top, and a floor standing lamp by the side of the cage which i didnt cover in tarpaulin, for heat.
I covered any wood showing wit insulating/electrical tape in either black/green to match the camoflauge effect. I also used a few strips of the tarpaulin and fixed them inbetween the top panel of the mesh cage and outside so that i could use them to hang things up in the cage like branches, fake plants etc. Hope this helps

 

[Chris P]

Thats good, I'm going to keep an eye out for a mesh enclosure.
I'm assuming you don't have any issues keeping the temps and humidity up?
Thanks for your response.

 

[clairf]

Hi Chris...I'm in the UK too....< waves >

I have one of the tall wooden ones but replaced the glass with mesh.....works well all round, ventilation, temps especially in winter.....

 

[sandrachameleon]

I am aware from reading some of the many postings that this type of enclosure can lead to problems due to lack of ventilation

Very easy to add a couple vents to the wood sides - cut holes, cover with screen. I use peg-board for sides and back, which retains more humidity than screen, releases heat in a more slow and controlled manner than screen, but still provides lots of air movement.

 

[tryme]

Another issue is the glass as the reflection can also cause stress. Humidity is a big problem no matter how many holes you drill it will never compare to a mesh enclosure.

 

[Chris P]

Thanks for your suggestions. I can see possible advantages for using wooden enclosures with additional vents and possibly replacing the glass doors.
One further question to Tryme, if you dont mind, what do you use for lighting with a 4ft high mesh enclosure? At the moment I use a 60watt house bulb in the wooden enclosure (with a cage over it of course) together with a Reptisun 5 UVB tube. Would you suggest higher wattages to counteract the fact that the mesh screen will let out some of the heat created by the bulb?

 

[clairf]

I can see possible advantages for using wooden enclosures with additional vents and possibly replacing the glass doors.

Chris, this is what I found, was a happy medium and it works well. Allowing maintaining consistant temps and good air flow. Although some sucessfully do use all mesh here the main reason I made the choice I have is due to owning dogs...wanted full stability as my lounge isn't actually a lounge it feels like a zoo ( not that the dogs bother the chams - just not prepared to take the risk and don't want to shut the chams away )

I am currently making my own, a 3 way set up because for one reason Basil has grown so much so quick he is fast outgrowing his. I am using wood and mesh again...making sure the wood is properly sealed against moisture obviously and going the whole hog with home built backgrounds etc. I shall be eating jacket spuds for a year by the time this has finished draining my bank account

 

[Vic]

i am just starting work on my new viv for my male cham. he has been in a exo terra up till now but has outgrown it, so this time i have brought a wood and glass cabinet off of ebay i am going to replace two of the glass side panels with reptile mesh, waterproof the inside tile the floor and add drainage and add lighting unit externaly to the top. it's a big job but i wanted something that matched the rest of the furniture in my lounge. i dont think i would be able to manage the humidity in a totaly mesh cadge.

 

[clairf]

Vic......sounds great...take pics and post a diary for those of us who need to / want to for their own reasons ......maintaining heat etc.

Like you I want to integrate my set up into my lounge furniture rather than have a reptile room with a chair lol
I have been at mine solid since lunchtime...yawn....jigsaw at rest now and am on the fake background now

 

[Chris P]

These both sound great. I'm in two minds as to what to go for myself. Thanks for your comments...