Out with the Reptibreeze and on with the DIY

[Sara]

So after almost a week with the Reptibreeze Ive decided its time to custom build. So much I want to do to make the best area for my cham as possible and the reptibreeze will not just be able to handle all my ideas!.

A few questions to start and this is just want would you guys recommend. The height will be at least 48 inches still or a tad taller but as for the base, Im buying a bottom already pre made and building the cage/top to match.

Would you go with a single door 24x24 or a 30x30 double door?

and second quesiton, I am going to have 3 sides with screen and the very back acrylic just to make sure the wall is protected. Would you go with clear or a darker color-bronze? I kinda like the bronze but wasnt sure what everyone elses experiences are or suggestions.

 

[teejayteej]

if you can do the space ...where are you putting it? go with the larger one.
I like the darker backing as well.

 

[Sara]

It's in my sons bedroom. I can always do the extra space. The 30x30 also feels more stable. I'm just excited with all ideas coming to mind. So anything you feel I should do please explain and tell me why....I'm overwhelmed and excited about drainage, storage, appeal looks, etc.

 

[MelissaB]

If you have the room, I'd go with the wider 2 door base, it'll give you more space for storage and the buckets for the reservoir and drainage. Keep in mind, the units with the top drawer get top heavy when the drawer is open. The weight of the reservoir and drainage bucket should be enough to counter balance it, but I haven't tested that out yet. I bought a sink base with 2 doors and a drawer for when I upgrade to my guy's adult cage. I have it stained and ready to go, but not in use yet.
I like the darker backing, too. You could also go with some TXTR-Lite panels, if you wanted a stone/slate look. The "imperfect" pieces are $18 a piece and around $20 for shipping, I ordered 2 and the shipping was only a few bucks more. It's a stone veneer on a fiberglass backing. It's thin, light, flexible and cuts with scissors. Lathis has a great thread on it with pics. It's not as stiff as plexiglass, though, so you would probably need some kind of backer for it.
I'd probably do a single door, because if the doors didn't line up it'd drive me nuts. Plus with 2 doors, you'd have more framing in the viewing area.

 

[Sara]

Thanks. Love the input. Helps point me in the right direction of the best decisions.

So many choices and lots of options, While I want to dive right in, I want to take my time because this isnt going to be cheap..but at least in the end it will be what i want

 

[MelissaB]

Exactly, it's better to do it once the way you want it. Probably cheaper in the long run, too.

 

[Sara]

If i go with a larger cage.... so right now i have the 2x2x4... would i need to upgrade the UVB to the 10.0? right now im using the 5.0 or would that all depend on the height?

 

[tdowd142]

Hey another DIY yourself you can do it a home made reptifogger. I purchased a Crane humidifier (the elephant style one) and some clear rubber tubing. I put the tubing on the trunk of the elephant (where the cool mist comes out) and put the other end in my enclosure and it works wonders! It only costs about 42 $ also

 

[MelissaB]

A lot of people use either the 5.0 or the 10.0 (or Arcadia 6% or 12%). I think as long as your chameleon can get close enough to get the uv, you should be fine with the 5.0. The manufacturer should have a recommendation on distance. If you go with the 10.0 just make sure that he has places to get out of the UV if he wants to.
I switched from a Reptisun CFL 5.0 to a Reptisun 10.0 HO T5, but there are a ton of places he can get out of the UV, plus I cut a piece of the plastic shield and put it in a small spot. so he can get out of the UV, yet still be up near the top of the enclosure if he wants. I probably didn't need to do that, but I don't have a UV meter, and I wanted to be sure that he could get out of the uv, but still be up high.

 

[Sara]

Thanks. I will just keep checking the temp with the 5.0 and see how it does and go from there.

A few questions

1 - being the door, i know mentioned above, if there were 2 doors and they were off by the slightest, i would have a major issue with it and my husband would feel really bad because im picky...so with that being said, do you think its a good idea to have 1 big door? should we attempt 2 doors. The thing because 2 doors maybe not matching is i think it will take away from the viewing of the front.....
or do you think i should build it similar like the reptibreeze and have a bottom portion and a top portion to the door? i could make the bottom where it is fixed since i dont use that door at all.
What is your best idea. I want the nicest but most viewable and practically soluation. I was thinking the bottom fix would be nice if crickets fell to the bottom and i could scoop against the screen to pick up... but not sure

ALSO - i will be having my largest treet mostly sunken below into the drainage/cabinet because I see a picture and really liked that. i got that idea from the drainage thread, its on the first page down a bit

https://www.chameleonforums.com/drainage-systems-cages-get-creative-102038/



2 - i like a really clean looking bottom, i really like how the one pot is sunken down and that would be perfect for my 1 big tree that i have...my question is, i have other plants that are smaller and wont get as big around, what is your suggestion for putting those in there.
i wanted to build small square box type area and set the plant in there and top off with either a screen/rocks. so basically this would be attached to the frame but my husband doesnt think it will be a good idea and will let bugs hide behind it.... i was thinking the space inbetween the frame/screen/square pot would be enough that the Cham can go hunting and still get any food. my idea with this was that I wanted plants at different levels but didnt really want to see the pots, i wanted a nice looking finish... so suggestions please....and if i didnt make myself clear on either one please let me know. i know sometimes putting ideas that are in our heads isnt as easy typing to someone else

 

[Sara]

Also, 4ft would be the height unless someone can tell me I should go bigger... what do you think?

 

[Sara]

another question.... for the plants - how do you all keep so many plants and coverage and not have crickets hiding in them and remaining overnight?

 

[MelissaB]

The crickets mostly hang out at the top of the cage, by the light. If there are any left by his bed time, I usually put a little bit of cricket food on the cage floor, in hopes that they leave the chameleon alone. He gets stressed if I mess around in his cage too much, so I didn't think it was worth it to try to catch the crickets to get them out. If he was more laid back, I'd take them out. I don't like the idea of him getting cricket bites. Nasty little buggers!

 

[Sara]

Ive been searching and searching all over the forum... looks like there are quite a few cricket feeders. Im just not sure which one looks the best or will do the best.
Right now Im using a cup so that way I can make sure "baby" is eating


Also my next question is....should i have a textured wall on the back. Ive seen some rock work, found some foam inserts... what does everyone think or no?

 

[MelissaB]

I think it comes down to what you/your cham needs, and personal preference. I have 3 walls of my "baby cage" covered in plasticore for 2 reasons. 1st, to help keep humidity up, b/c I have a Jacksons. 2nd, I want to be sure that all the water stays where it belongs, because my enclosure is in room with bamboo flooring. I don't want to ruin the floor.
In my "big boy" cage I'll use the stone veneer panel on the back and either plasticore or clear shower curtain on the sides. I really like a nice background, but it's not a necessity, IMHO.
My guy eats crickets, occasional (treat) super worm, butter worms, and used to eat silk worms and hornworms. He's been boycotting the silks and horns lately. Walks right over, sometimes even sits on a silk. He had one hitching a ride on his foot the other day. I didn't want him to fall off the screen, so I took away his slipper. I'm going to order him some different feeders, so he doesn't get bored. I'm sad that he doesn't want the silks, I still have a bunch of them! I keep putting one in his cup, hoping he'll go for it, but he's not having it.

 

[Sara]

Thanks for the info...

I picked up a cabinet, its 24 deep, 36 wide and height will be 60 inches give or take. we got all the wood to start the frame process onto the cabinet and Im still looking at the background and what not.

My next question would be the door. Should I do 1 big door, a swing door, detachable door, opinions please!! Im kinda stuck on the door for a few reasons. Seems like it goes in all different directions.

 

[ridgebax1]

I had a cage with a sliding door and didn't like it cause it always fell out of the track. The cage I have now has one big swing open door and I like that a lot better. Plenty of room to work in the cage and access to Omar.

 

[MelissaB]

I'd go with one big door on hinges. I think it would be simpler to build, and give you a good viewing area. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Take lots of pictures.

 

[Sara]

I think Ill be going with the 1 big door for multiple reasons. Thanks for the input. I love taking pictures so I will make sure to do that

The little guy shedded today to. I posted in the health area cause I have been worried for a few days, all it was...was just a little shedding. My first experience

 

[Sara]

Hey everyone, still around. Mr Chameleon as my son calls him is thriving and doing great. We are almost finished with his new cage. It took much longer to complete because we had a lot going on but super happy so far. I will see if I can find a few pictures for a update but just wanted to let you all know we are still here and hes doing great! Hes grown soooo much, its crazy.