cyberlocc
Chameleon Enthusiast
I decided, (kinda late 
), to make a loose build log. It will be loose as my phone is broken and getting the wife to come out in the heat and take pics is a challenge (prying her phone away is even harder lol).
Plus I already started and am maybe halfway done, a tad less.
The idea has changed over many times. To fit my needs, sadly this has involved undoing a lot that was done and redoing/changing.
The original idea was to make it as a living room cage for QT. I then later decided a better purpose. So the removable Divider idea was nixed and a solid wall is going in. However, my reptile room cage plans works for all the chams I plan to keep, aside from 2 male panthers. They need bigger digs, this will be there bigger digs.
Anyway I kept being asked for pics so decided to start a thread.
Now here is where I am.
View media item 42884View media item 42885
The internal dimensions of each side is 24x24x52. (minus the 2x2s that frame the corners and the bottom 2x6s)
Lots of work to go. In the end, it will look like a piece of furniture (hopefully). My wife said she wanted more plants in the living room so I used that as an in for this in the living room.
I should have a new update later today.
), to make a loose build log. It will be loose as my phone is broken and getting the wife to come out in the heat and take pics is a challenge (prying her phone away is even harder lol).Plus I already started and am maybe halfway done, a tad less.
The idea has changed over many times. To fit my needs, sadly this has involved undoing a lot that was done and redoing/changing.
The original idea was to make it as a living room cage for QT. I then later decided a better purpose. So the removable Divider idea was nixed and a solid wall is going in. However, my reptile room cage plans works for all the chams I plan to keep, aside from 2 male panthers. They need bigger digs, this will be there bigger digs.
Anyway I kept being asked for pics so decided to start a thread
.Now here is where I am.
View media item 42884View media item 42885
The internal dimensions of each side is 24x24x52. (minus the 2x2s that frame the corners and the bottom 2x6s)
Lots of work to go. In the end, it will look like a piece of furniture (hopefully). My wife said she wanted more plants in the living room
so I used that as an in for this in the living room.The cage will look like furniture, it will have a trim top and bottom (bottom for looks top for use and looks) The bottom trim will be 1x6s that will be altered with a router. The top will have the same router finish, with 1x10s. This will hide all the lighting and the rain domes.
The screen top, will be removable (though made of wood frame and sealed). That way if a tear happens I could remove and repair it. It will be bolted on, with nuts in the wood.
The cage will be separated into 2 sections. There will be a "Substrate Pan" built into the bottom. It will have drainage and be 5.5 inches tall.
The next two things will be the "Hot Topic" as they are largely debated around here.
There will be 3 4in vent holes in each side of the cage. This will be the only airflow from the sides, as the front doors will be sliding glass. This will simulate a "Glass Terrarium" it will keep the humidity high. There will be fans in the top that will be on a timer to help airflow and dry out when needed. Mistings will be kept short, for the ability to dry inbetween and not soak my plants. The bottom cupboard, will have sliding wood doors.
Plants the other hot debate. This will be a bio active enclosure, with a drainage layer and then cocofiber substrate. Isopods and Spring tails will also be in there as a cleaner crew. It will be heavily planted, and likely the walls will be covered in Cork sheet decorations (the ones that look like trees). Or fern panels if I can find them.
Plants I have currently decided on is, Ficus (maybe hibiscus), grape, and air plants all over. I want to add some more ground cover plants but have not decided what yet.
The screen top, will be removable (though made of wood frame and sealed). That way if a tear happens I could remove and repair it. It will be bolted on, with nuts in the wood.
The cage will be separated into 2 sections. There will be a "Substrate Pan" built into the bottom. It will have drainage and be 5.5 inches tall.
The next two things will be the "Hot Topic" as they are largely debated around here.
There will be 3 4in vent holes in each side of the cage. This will be the only airflow from the sides, as the front doors will be sliding glass. This will simulate a "Glass Terrarium" it will keep the humidity high. There will be fans in the top that will be on a timer to help airflow and dry out when needed. Mistings will be kept short, for the ability to dry inbetween and not soak my plants. The bottom cupboard, will have sliding wood doors.
Plants the other hot debate. This will be a bio active enclosure, with a drainage layer and then cocofiber substrate. Isopods and Spring tails will also be in there as a cleaner crew. It will be heavily planted, and likely the walls will be covered in Cork sheet decorations (the ones that look like trees). Or fern panels if I can find them.
Plants I have currently decided on is, Ficus (maybe hibiscus), grape, and air plants all over. I want to add some more ground cover plants but have not decided what yet.
One of the hardest decisions I had to make with this cage was sealing. I want it to be non toxic and durable, as well as truly waterproof. This lands me in a hard spot that cost is high.
The decision that I have made is to fiberglass the corners for strength. I will then coat the entire inside with Sweetwater Epoxy Paint. Which is made for making plywood Aquariums, it is 100% water proof, non toxic and very strong and durable.
I will seal the inside and outside with the Sweetwater, the inside will get a few coats while the outside will get 1. After I do the outside with Sweetwater, I will then paint it with Black flat acrylic paint just for looks. This should make this to be very durable and last a long long time.
I am using a 3/4 inch PVC bulkhead for draining excess water. There will be a drain bucket and water supply for the mister in the bottom cupboard. There will also be 1/2-1 inch hydroton balls or similar for a drainage layer under the soil.
Fiberglassing should be done by the end of the week. I then need to wait 2 weeks or so until the sweetwater can be applied. so stay tuned.
The decision that I have made is to fiberglass the corners for strength. I will then coat the entire inside with Sweetwater Epoxy Paint. Which is made for making plywood Aquariums, it is 100% water proof, non toxic and very strong and durable.
I will seal the inside and outside with the Sweetwater, the inside will get a few coats while the outside will get 1. After I do the outside with Sweetwater, I will then paint it with Black flat acrylic paint just for looks. This should make this to be very durable and last a long long time.
I am using a 3/4 inch PVC bulkhead for draining excess water. There will be a drain bucket and water supply for the mister in the bottom cupboard. There will also be 1/2-1 inch hydroton balls or similar for a drainage layer under the soil.
Fiberglassing should be done by the end of the week. I then need to wait 2 weeks or so until the sweetwater can be applied. so stay tuned.
I should have a new update later today.
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