My planned enclosure :)

[aoifetanty]

I'm thinking about getting a chameleon soon, but the look and price of exo terra flexariums dont appeal to me!! I am going to build my own enclosure but need some advice... I would prefer a yemen chameleon but would get a pair of pygmy's if the following enclosure isnt suitable for a Yemen.

I will be converting a bookcase by removing the shelves and making a door out of wire mesh. The only mesh I can get is very strong and sturdy and the little cubes each measure 1cm squared. I dont think that the chameleon will get out but I just want to make sure it would be OK. The enclosure will then measure 31 inches high, 36 inches wide and 11 inches deep. There is 2 drawers above the enclosure for storing food and supplies. The uv lamp and basking lamp will be fitted. I will leave a tiny bit of shelving as a feeding shelve. Bamboo, vines and potho's will be added also

-The Door- This will be the mesh mentioned above, sandwiched between 2 panels of wood. It will be on hinges on one side and a lock on the other side

If anyone could let me know what I can/cant do with this, I would greatly appreciate it


Aoife x

 

[chequepoint]

11 inches is really, really shallow.
Offhand how are you going to deal with the water? Most bookcases aren't designed to handle the moisture.
Finally, it's best if the lighting is outside the enclosure, which sounds tricky in your setup.

It really doesn't sound ideal for a pygmy or a veiled. Pygmys do well in aquariums, veilds need more space and ventilation.

 

[aoifetanty]

11 inches is really, really shallow.
Offhand how are you going to deal with the water? Most bookcases aren't designed to handle the moisture.
Finally, it's best if the lighting is outside the enclosure, which sounds tricky in your setup.

It really doesn't sound ideal for a pygmy or a veiled. Pygmys do well in aquariums, veilds need more space and ventilation.

Ok thanks The bookcase is sealed and covered in a water proof paint (safe for animals). I will leave it as a bookcase then!! And build a vieled enclosure!!

Thanks for your help

Aoife

 

[chameleon97]

you could cut a big hole on the top and add mesh, and put your lights on there

 

[Sang]

regaurdless of how well its sealed *unless you did it yourself. if its made from particle or pressed wood, the water will eat it up..

the cost to build a cage is a little bit more then what it would cost to go buy the 24"x 24" x 48" from LLLreptile.. which when i bought it was like 110 after shipping.

you'd probably be spending about the same if not more after purchasing, time and frustration trying to gt it done, unless your some kind of super handy man.,

 

[chequepoint]

DIY is certainly expensive. When you add up paint, calk, screen, staples, screws, wood, etc. all the little bits you forgot you needed, hardware, latches, plumbing, etc. and the 4 trips minimum it will take you to get it all, plus your time, you will have spent more than you would buying one.

The only reason to DIY is if you have specialized goals, you are building multiple enclosures at once, or you just really really want to build it yourself.

 

[aoifetanty]

regaurdless of how well its sealed *unless you did it yourself. if its made from particle or pressed wood, the water will eat it up..

the cost to build a cage is a little bit more then what it would cost to go buy the 24"x 24" x 48" from LLLreptile.. which when i bought it was like 110 after shipping.

you'd probably be spending about the same if not more after purchasing, time and frustration trying to gt it done, unless your some kind of super handy man.,

Thanks. Yes I did seal it myself I am living in Ireland so chameleon enclosures are very hard to find over here. My Brother has made me rabbit hutches' , and lots of other animal enclosures so would do the building for me

Aoife

 

[aoifetanty]

DIY is certainly expensive. When you add up paint, calk, screen, staples, screws, wood, etc. all the little bits you forgot you needed, hardware, latches, plumbing, etc. and the 4 trips minimum it will take you to get it all, plus your time, you will have spent more than you would buying one.

The only reason to DIY is if you have specialized goals, you are building multiple enclosures at once, or you just really really want to build it yourself.

Thanks I just really really want to build it myself as the enclosures available in Ireland aren't what suit my needs

Aoife

 

[opihiman]

I'm thinking about getting a chameleon soon, but the look and price of exo terra flexariums dont appeal to me!! I am going to build my own enclosure but need some advice... I would prefer a yemen chameleon but would get a pair of pygmy's if the following enclosure isnt suitable for a Yemen.

I will be converting a bookcase by removing the shelves and making a door out of wire mesh. The only mesh I can get is very strong and sturdy and the little cubes each measure 1cm squared. I dont think that the chameleon will get out but I just want to make sure it would be OK. The enclosure will then measure 31 inches high, 36 inches wide and 11 inches deep. There is 2 drawers above the enclosure for storing food and supplies. The uv lamp and basking lamp will be fitted. I will leave a tiny bit of shelving as a feeding shelve. Bamboo, vines and potho's will be added also

-The Door- This will be the mesh mentioned above, sandwiched between 2 panels of wood. It will be on hinges on one side and a lock on the other side

If anyone could let me know what I can/cant do with this, I would greatly appreciate it


Aoife x

Is you book case solid wood??? If it is there is a good possiblity that you could go through with you plan and have a very nice viv....

check list to consider:

1. Ventilation
2. Exposure to elements
3. UV A and B source : (position and safety)
4. Moisture requirements
5. ?

Most of all consider what environment your cham needs and will you be able to replicate it in your planned viv. If you can't what do you need to change to make it so.

Good luck

OPI

 

[aoifetanty]

Thank You! Yes it is solid wood. I also have a big wire bird cage that I could cover in suitable mesh and the bulbs would be VERY easy to fit. It would provide brilliant ventilation!! I would spray the tank 3 times a day and would provide plenty of plants and vines. The cage dimensions are 23 inch wide and 3 inch high. Its a pretty big cage!!

Let me know ye're thoughts on this.

Aoife

 

[chequepoint]

Thats better... but ideally you want 24X24X48 or around there. Height is important, Your birdcage is in the realm of possibilities, but not the most ideal solution yet.

I've attached a picture of my DIY viv, which is habitable but Needs doors.

The base is 48X48X30. His compartment is 30X30X36, Hers is 18X30X36.

I had to build mine higher off the ground to ensure zero possibility of the cats reaching the screen. It's made of 1X2 pine, sealed and painted. Aluminum screening on the sides and top. The floor is expanded PVC plastic (Sintra) and the back wall and divider between the two compartments is Coreply Corrugated plastic. All the wood joints, and wood to plastic joints are sealed with aquarium silicone sealant. The is a screen hole in the center of each section in the floor, underneath is a funnel with tubing that drains to a bucket. You can't see it, but there is also a bucket for my mistking setup.

The lights are a 48" dual fluorescent shop light ($8) with a Zoo Med UVB 5.0, and a Grow Lamp. Two regular incandescent bulbs in clamp light figures provide the appropriate heat.

The plants are actually sitting on cookie cooling trays to keep them elevated and the plant's roots dry.

I'm still working on doors for the cabinet.. but its no rush.

PS up top you see an exacto knife (i took the photo right after I had gotten it all together) and a little dripper that I sometimes use in addition to the misting.

 

[opihiman]

Thank You! Yes it is solid wood. I also have a big wire bird cage that I could cover in suitable mesh and the bulbs would be VERY easy to fit. It would provide brilliant ventilation!! I would spray the tank 3 times a day and would provide plenty of plants and vines. The cage dimensions are 23 inch wide and 3 inch high. Its a pretty big cage!!

Let me know ye're thoughts on this.

Aoife

I hope it isn't 3 inches tall...that's a pretty small cage....LOL

Good luck

OPI

 

[aoifetanty]

Thank You!! That looks like a brilliant cage you've built there! I will look into building one similar

Sorry its 33 inches!! lol

Aoife

 

[alano]

getting a cage and a panther chameleon in Dublin soon

Hi Aoife,


I am from Spain but live in Dublin, I am getting a panther chameleon very soon and the cage this weekend.

They are telling me at the shop that glass containers are more appropriate for the Irish weather than the glass containers with a mesh top, however I read everywhere in the web that it is the opposite, that we should never use glass terrariums.

Since quite a few months have gone by since your post, by now you must have experience, what do you think about this? Should I get the glass container as advised?


Cheers!


Javier