I've been looking for a 4x2x4 foot screen enclosure but the only ones I have found are the hybrid ones and I cant use a hybrid cuz I live in florida and i already have a hard enough time getting the humidity down in my full screen 2x2x4. anyone know where i can find one? or how to build my own?
trying to find a 4x2x4 screen enclosure
- Thread starter Eamon
- Start date
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
Most just bond two 2x2x4 ones together if you just want a 4 ft wide 4ft tall one. Its pretty easy, just get 2 cages and 2 aluminum yard or meter sticks. Or if you can find 3/4 or 1" wide aluminum stock it would be even cheaper. Then just get some wee rust resistant nuts and bolts, drill some holes, and you are ready to go.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...l-reptibreeze-xl-cage-with-drain-tray.189377/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/2-x-reptibreeze-cages-into-1-large-enclosure.157963/
Personally if i was going big, i would make a 3-fft round cage and use 1/2" hardware mesh and a VERY large front door, unless you have 3ft long arms
https://reptilesmagazine.com/how-to-build-your-own-chameleon-lizard-cage/
These are soooo easy to make out of a piece of plywood and a jig saw or sawzall.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...l-reptibreeze-xl-cage-with-drain-tray.189377/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/2-x-reptibreeze-cages-into-1-large-enclosure.157963/
Personally if i was going big, i would make a 3-fft round cage and use 1/2" hardware mesh and a VERY large front door, unless you have 3ft long arms
https://reptilesmagazine.com/how-to-build-your-own-chameleon-lizard-cage/
These are soooo easy to make out of a piece of plywood and a jig saw or sawzall.
Last edited:
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I’ve just joined two XL screen enclosures together. I used what I could find without much fuss - thin wires and tiny hinges. If you go this route, find and use flat headed screws where the sides will be butted up against each other to avoid any gaps. If you can’t find any, you’ll have to sink the screws the best you can. To help keep them together, they sit on a 4’x2’ heavy duty shelving unit and the extended frame of the unit has kept it all together. If anyone were to look closely at my enclosures, they might at least giggle at how I patched it all together, but it works very well and so whatever.
Another challenge is addressing the drainage as no matter how well you have the two enclosures attached, there is always the issue of water possibly leaking where they join. I use the ReptiBreeze substrate trays with plastic tarp below and above to prevent leakage. My set ups are all bioactive though. I suppose silicone or Great Stuff foam could be used for that spot.
If I had planned things better and/or had more experience with building stuff, I could have had created perfect little castles, but again, it all works and that’s all that matters.
This will probably be a big help to you. https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/
Here’s a couple that I’ve done. Yes, they’re cheap ReptiBreezes that I bought on sale.
Another challenge is addressing the drainage as no matter how well you have the two enclosures attached, there is always the issue of water possibly leaking where they join. I use the ReptiBreeze substrate trays with plastic tarp below and above to prevent leakage. My set ups are all bioactive though. I suppose silicone or Great Stuff foam could be used for that spot.
If I had planned things better and/or had more experience with building stuff, I could have had created perfect little castles, but again, it all works and that’s all that matters.
This will probably be a big help to you. https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/
Here’s a couple that I’ve done. Yes, they’re cheap ReptiBreezes that I bought on sale.
JuniorC
Avid Member
Chameleon mansion, awesome!I’ve just joined two XL screen enclosures together. I used what I could find without much fuss - thin wires and tiny hinges. If you go this route, find and use flat headed screws where the sides will be butted up against each other to avoid any gaps. If you can’t find any, you’ll have to sink the screws the best you can. To help keep them together, they sit on a 4’x2’ heavy duty shelving unit and the extended frame of the unit has kept it all together. If anyone were to look closely at my enclosures, they might at least giggle at how I patched it all together, but it works very well and so whatever.
Another challenge is addressing the drainage as no matter how well you have the two enclosures attached, there is always the issue of water possibly leaking where they join. I use the ReptiBreeze substrate trays with plastic tarp below and above to prevent leakage. My set ups are all bioactive though. I suppose silicone or Great Stuff foam could be used for that spot.
If I had planned things better and/or had more experience with building stuff, I could have had created perfect little castles, but again, it all works and that’s all that matters.
This will probably be a big help to you. https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/
Here’s a couple that I’ve done. Yes, they’re cheap ReptiBreezes that I bought on sale.
View attachment 368873View attachment 368874
thanks for the advice! How much did you get the cages for on sale? the one I found was around 150$? also when I do make the double wide should i have multiple basking spots, or just one? oh and do you have any advice for a way i can have the misting line tube thingy outside the cage but still get the full effect of the misters? if I have to cut holes in the screen I can do that but I want to make sure there's not a better way before doing that. Btw the cages look amazingI’ve just joined two XL screen enclosures together. I used what I could find without much fuss - thin wires and tiny hinges. If you go this route, find and use flat headed screws where the sides will be butted up against each other to avoid any gaps. If you can’t find any, you’ll have to sink the screws the best you can. To help keep them together, they sit on a 4’x2’ heavy duty shelving unit and the extended frame of the unit has kept it all together. If anyone were to look closely at my enclosures, they might at least giggle at how I patched it all together, but it works very well and so whatever.
Another challenge is addressing the drainage as no matter how well you have the two enclosures attached, there is always the issue of water possibly leaking where they join. I use the ReptiBreeze substrate trays with plastic tarp below and above to prevent leakage. My set ups are all bioactive though. I suppose silicone or Great Stuff foam could be used for that spot.
If I had planned things better and/or had more experience with building stuff, I could have had created perfect little castles, but again, it all works and that’s all that matters.
This will probably be a big help to you. https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/
Here’s a couple that I’ve done. Yes, they’re cheap ReptiBreezes that I bought on sale.
View attachment 368873View attachment 368874
.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
The basic XL ReptiBreezes on sale are usually around $80 or so on line (or were a couple of years ago - with all this tariff BS, who knows now). Keep watch on Petco, Petsmart and other sites for sales on them. Often there’s added discount codes. While the winter holidays are the best times for sales, spring and Easter should be bringing some too.thanks for the advice! How much did you get the cages for on sale? the one I found was around 150$? also when I do make the double wide should i have multiple basking spots, or just one? oh and do you have any advice for a way i can have the misting line tube thingy outside the cage but still get the full effect of the misters? if I have to cut holes in the screen I can do that but I want to make sure there's not a better way before doing that. Btw the cages look amazing
If you have a Mist King, they sell wedges to reinforce your misting heads against the frame. https://junglehobbies.com/screen-top-wedge.html FYI: I always purchase the MK accessories directly from them - much cheaper than Amazon and I know they’re authentic. I’m not sure if those would work with other misting systems. I was in a pinch and didn’t have enough of the wedges so used some heavier plastic from a tote lid. If need be, you can do that and it will be custom to your misting head size. You will have to poke a hole in the screen top to get your misting head size heads thru. The wedge secures to the frame edge or corner with screws.
I keep it to one basking area, but they do what they want.
My plant lights are quite bright and half the time I find 2 of my panthers sitting under those like they are basking. There is UVB for the entire length.You’ll definitely want a solid way to secure branches and plants properly. Dragon Ledges are amazing and super strong when used properly. While not as sturdy, garden trellis works well. I secure it to the frames with wire and some of the wires were wrapped around screws I put for that purpose. If you do use trellis, do make sure to sand dull the edges as they can be sharp.
thanks again for the advice! ill be on the look out for some cheap cages, hopefully I will be able to find one within my budget. I'm lowkey considering getting a second job so I have a fuck ton of money for chameleons, or ill start a savings account just for chameleonsThe basic XL ReptiBreezes on sale are usually around $80 or so on line (or were a couple of years ago - with all this tariff BS, who knows now). Keep watch on Petco, Petsmart and other sites for sales on them. Often there’s added discount codes. While the winter holidays are the best times for sales, spring and Easter should be bringing some too.
If you have a Mist King, they sell wedges to reinforce your misting heads against the frame. https://junglehobbies.com/screen-top-wedge.html FYI: I always purchase the MK accessories directly from them - much cheaper than Amazon and I know they’re authentic. I’m not sure if those would work with other misting systems. I was in a pinch and didn’t have enough of the wedges so used some heavier plastic from a tote lid. If need be, you can do that and it will be custom to your misting head size. You will have to poke a hole in the screen top to get your misting head size heads thru. The wedge secures to the frame edge or corner with screws.
I keep it to one basking area, but they do what they want.
You’ll definitely want a solid way to secure branches and plants properly. Dragon Ledges are amazing and super strong when used properly. While not as sturdy, garden trellis works well. I secure it to the frames with wire and some of the wires were wrapped around screws I put for that purpose. If you do use trellis, do make sure to sand dull the edges as they can be sharp.
. I've always dreamed of owning chameleons ever sense I was super young and now I have the chance to do that and give the best possible quality of life, I got some very ambitious goals (and expensive) that I would love to do in the future for example I want to build a cage big enough to be a walk in and basically have a whole room that's just a massive cage. I'm saying this because I'm very appreciative of all the advice you have given me so far. I would also like to pose some ideas I have for you to see if they would eventually be viable for me in the future(distant future); one is that ill have 2 4x2x4 enclosures, one bioactive and the other bare bottom with a bridge type thing connecting them if I were to do this i could keep one much dryer than the other which I hope would let be observe how they like their humidity during the day and night. Another could be an experiment with entertainment, I've heard that many chameleons enjoy watching TV so I eventually want to experiment with that and other stuff to observe any changes that might result. i would love to hear your thoughts on this!!!!
ik This is kinda out of the blue but I've been meaning to pose some of these ideas to someone who actually owns chameleons and knows what there talking about.
