New DIY cage
- Thread starter Edmar1023
- Start date
LukeTheLizard
Avid Member
That’s awesome! And even bigger than the comfortable cage size for a chameleon too. Bigger is always better, because then your chameleon has more room, you can fit more plants, vines, etc. so well done!
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Can’t wait to see the finished product. 
Yes, T5’s do come in 36” length.
Yes, T5’s do come in 36” length.
Edmar1023
Established Member
Yeah that’s what I was thinking. Mini mansion for him! Lol.
Edmar1023
Established Member
I was thinking about the T5 leds what are your thoughts on them?Can’t wait to see the finished product.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
The one to ask about that would be @nightanole .
Edmar1023
Established Member
Ok thanks
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
The T5 Leds are not really worth it. T5's are so efficient, that the led retrofits usually only draw half the amount of power. Its not like going from t12 to a led, where its an order of magnitude better efficiency. And on top of that, the led will be dimmer than the T5HO. All the T5 retro fits are for office "T5" which are half the watts of a T5HO.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think it's too late to ask opinions of what you've already decided!
The main problem (I've read and learned from personal experience) with going deeper than 24" is that it can be a PITA trying to reach in that far for cleaning/maintenance. Going as wide as you want and/or as tall as you want doesn't have that problem.
The exceptions—of course—are walk-ins and access from both front & back or both sides.
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Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes, they do. Unfortunately, because that's not one of the more popular sizes (voice of experience—I have one) they're sometimes more expensive than 48". Worth shopping carefully.Can’t wait to see the finished product.
An option would be to mount a 48" T5 HO UVB diagonally (opposite diagonal of config described below).
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Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
They don't have the penetration of other configurations. I've not found data/specs on Sunblaster or Jungle Dawn, but this one is excellent; I have 2 in my 48 x 24 x 48.
https://www.sansiled.com/70w-led-grow-light-full-spectrum.html
Your square footage is only slightly larger (9 sq. ft. vs 8 sq. ft.) so I would try 2 mounted caddy-corner.
There are other mfr./options, but these are the ones I have experience with.
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Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I have screen on top of ceiling egg crate. It comes in 2x4 panels, so you'd need to get 2 and do some trimming (a side cutter pliers worked well). It allows water to drain through (but stops larger debris), and supports large pots—I have 3 center piece plants in 10" pots plus several more 6" pots on it with no problem.U guys think I should put a vinyl bottom panel or screen? Let me know! Thanks for the input!!
Vinyl is ok if it's thick enough to support the weight, and you'll need to drill enough holes (or procide pitch) for drainage.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yup, that's an enclosure.
If that's how it's going to sit, I think it's still going to be too low. Chameleons—most being arboreal—are most comfortable when their basking area is at or above our eye-level (e.g. 6' or so).
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/meet-pinocchio.179637/#post-1624355
