Thoughts on new cage design

[PenelopeLove]

Hello,

I am hoping to receive a new addition within the coming month and need to build my own cage, as I simply can't buy one where I am.

The room where my new love will be kept and is Air-Conditioned (turning off the AC is not an option.. I live in the desert and have others in the house to consider).

My thoughts for building a new cage were to build something 20"x20"x3' and to have the back and sides made with clear (strong) acrylic and have the front door and roof to be screen.. I am hoping this will encourage enough ventilation and the same time as keeping the temps and humidity at the right level?

I will be free ranging outside at least once a day..

Any thoughts before I get to building?!

Thanks

 

[Decadancin]

You may be better off making the sides and top out of screen. This will make for better visibility and you still should maintain good temps as long as your lighting is correct. As for the size of the enclosure, what type of cham are you getting? 36" tall is good for some, but a bit taller will be better for many. Can't wait to see your enclosure, and of course your new addition!

 

[nightanole]

How cold do you have the ac set on? Most of the time AC makes it more humid, and is set at 75-80f. That should be fine for most chams if you also include a basking light. You might be better off making a cage with 3 screen sides with a solid back, and then installing a regulated foot wide heat tape to the back wall. That would bump the cage heat by 5f easily and only cost a few watts.

If you are going with clear plastic sides, use Acrylic (Plexiglas) not Polycarbonate (Lexan). Acrylic will not yellow under the uv lights.

 

[PenelopeLove]

Thanks guys

I guess I am just not too sure.. Pennie was in her glass hospital house (18x18x18) as she wasn't well enough to climb. I was able to keep temps and humidity at the right level easliy, but it was glass.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is heat tape? and does it go on the outside or inside?

Do you think doing a solid back, screen front and plexiglass with large screen vents be ok?? Maybe I can have the best of both worlds then!

I know someone who is going to help me build and can make all my dreams come true, so the sky is the limit lol

 

[Decadancin]

Zaphod's enclosure has screen only on two sides and the top, acrylic back and door, and a solid wood base. Temps are about 78 to 82 degrees with basking around 90 to 92 degrees. Humidity levels vary from low 40's to about 75 or 80 right after misting. My ambient room temperature is around 74 to 82 degrees depending on the season. Zaphod is a male veiled cham, and here's a link to his enclosure album https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/decadancin-albums-zaphod-s-enclosure.html .

 

[PenelopeLove]

fantastic! thanks! this is really going to help me out!

 

[grimjob]

Hey I just built my own cage and I did the same thing both sides and back are acrylic and the top and front are screened, my google loves it and it helps with the humidity and keeping it a bit warmer, check out my post googles new cage and you can see what I've done it also helps keep the water from getting on the carpet when the mister goes off

 

[PenelopeLove]

Hey I just built my own cage and I did the same thing both sides and back are acrylic and the top and front are screened, my google loves it and it helps with the humidity and keeping it a bit warmer, check out my post googles new cage and you can see what I've done it also helps keep the water from getting on the carpet when the mister goes off

thanks

I'm actually looking to build a cage that's for two with a separation screen in the middle, which I'll cover with foliage so my babies don't go all territorial on me lol.. hopefully doing this will increase the ventilation as well!

 

[PenelopeLove]

Hey Guys.. I just wanted to check on the recommended heights..

I'd like to get a Veiled and a Panther.. is 36" tall enough??

Obviously I'll have 2 cages

 

[Decadancin]

That would be O.K for a female veiled, but for a male I would go 48 if you could. They do get a bit bigger and prefer the added height.