Reptile Carpet/Liner drainage?

[buddhacham]

I wanted to know if there were any problems with my idea to just punch a bunch of holes in normal reptile carpet/liner so it can be placed directly on top of a screen bottom. I just want the water to drain through the bottom of the enclosure, but want it at least somewhat aesthetically pleasing. I've never used reptile carpet so not sure if this is practical? Thanks

 

[reptimanny]

I have heard thats way better than having any kind of bedding or shrubbery. I think as long as the chameleon cant fall through the holes or get their nails caught you should be fine.

 

[summoner12]

I wanted to know if there were any problems with my idea to just punch a bunch of holes in normal reptile carpet/liner so it can be placed directly on top of a screen bottom. I just want the water to drain through the bottom of the enclosure, but want it at least somewhat aesthetically pleasing. I've never used reptile carpet so not sure if this is practical? Thanks

What kind of cage? reptarium or is it metal framed screen cage (with a screen bottom panel)? A carpet isn't really that bad... but it traps germs and bacteria and parasites (if your animal has parasites). So the carpet becomes a cleaning issue. Leaves the question 'how clean can you really get it?'

I wouldn't spend the money and it... If you had just a plastic bottom you can use and clean easily you might be better off.

 

[withlime]

I think that some kind of green pvc panel would be aesthetically pleasing and much easier to clean than the reptile carpet. I used the carpet briefly with my first chameleon and I threw it away after about two months.

 

[dodolah]

The wet/ moist environment, dirt from the potted plants that got washed onto the carpet during misting, coupled with insects and the chameleon's poo can be an excellent condition for bacterias, mold, fungus, and other nasty stuffs to proliferate.

How long will you able to religiously clean the floor everyday until you get tired of it and throw the carpet away? My advice is to save the money, drill the pvc bottom as drainage (assuming that you have the screen cage like the one from LLLreptile). The floor is easily cleaned and does not trapped bacteria like the carpet you are talking about.

For veiled and panther, I believe in the quote that "the best substrate is no substrate at all."