Update on my build

[SliK JiM]

Hey all. Just thought I'd give you a sneak peak of my monster enclosure I've been building (at last). It doesn't look that great in terms of finish right now as it still needs a lot of touching up (the doors ARE being held in place by 3 pieces of wood propped against them), but I've got the frame finished at least. It measures 2.0m x 1.2m x 0.8m. What do you all think?

(please ignore all the junk around it!!! Oh, and the strimmer is not attached... )

 

[renzo0684]

HOLY CRAP!!!!! I want one!!!! You can grow a forest in that thing... I cant wait to see it done with a cham in there!

 

[lucky]

when thats fully planted its gonna be killer! nice work.

 

[SliK JiM]

Thanks! You should see the plants I've been buying to fill it! They're the same height as me! It's going to be sweet! Need to get it moved indoors tomorrow, planted, then need to suspend the lights! Fun! The trouble is going to be moving my chameleon! He's a grumpy fellow!

 

[Miss Lily]

That looks great! Can't wait to see the pics of him in his new palace! He's gonna think it's his hatchday and Christmas all at once, lol!!

 

[buick455]

Are your plant pots going to be below the cage floor? I would love to see how that turns out as im in the midst of revamping my cage.. not quite as awsome as yours though thats big enough for me to live in

 

[SliK JiM]

Are your plant pots going to be below the cage floor? I would love to see how that turns out as im in the midst of revamping my cage.. not quite as awsome as yours though thats big enough for me to live in

The bottom bit is actually where the plants are going to go. I'm going to fil it full of compost and actually plant the plants directly into the base. I've seen several other ideas of a similar nature on here and so I thought I'd give it a go! I'll have it planted this evening if you can wait that long to see it?

 

[SliK JiM]

This is the thread I got my inspiration from:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-phelsuma-chameleon-room-22514/

 

[adamkwas]

Wow! Nice enclosure!



Adam

 

[SliK JiM]

It's getting there! It's in place now and full of soil! Got about 50% of the plants I'm going to put in it in, but none of the vines and branches I have, so it looks so empty at the moment! Need to get the lighting sorted tomorrow so that the plants dont suffer too long with out any light! But anyway, he's the picture:

p.s - for those interested, I have been keeping a blog of the build so if people want to do something similar they might find it useful. It needs updating (as it only has the first weekls work in it atm) but I'll get it finished soon!

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

It's getting there! It's in place now and full of soil! Got about 50% of the plants I'm going to put in it in, but none of the vines and branches I have, so it looks so empty at the moment! Need to get the lighting sorted tomorrow so that the plants dont suffer too long with out any light! But anyway, he's the picture:

p.s - for those interested, I have been keeping a blog of the build so if people want to do something similar they might find it useful. It needs updating (as it only has the first weekls work in it atm) but I'll get it finished soon!

looking good

I cant find your chameleon in there lol

 

[buick455]

That looks great! what are you doing for drainage? I know my one dripper (moded gatorade bottle) drips enough that it drains out the spout in the back of my cage.. you have alot more dirt to catch it though

 

[Fearaffect]

Awesome job there!! Lets see some detail shots of the screen and carpentry work!!

 

[SliK JiM]

looking good

I cant find your chameleon in there lol

I probably wont be able to when I put him in there either! Nah, I'm going to make his basking spot be in the top left so I will at least be able to see him bask!

That looks great! what are you doing for drainage? I know my one dripper (moded gatorade bottle) drips enough that it drains out the spout in the back of my cage.. you have alot more dirt to catch it though

Below all the soil I have a layer of hydroton, clay balls that will let all the water pool in the bottom and will make sure the soil doesn't become too boggy. Then, I just have to stick some polytubing down into that layer and drain it out! I'm hoping that it should find the right balance of water retention anyway, as the misting regime that I've been using has kept my previous plants alive with no problems! I'm also going to cover the soil with moss, as this acts to hold the water above the soil.

Awesome job there!! Lets see some detail shots of the screen and carpentry work!!

I'm working on that in my blog. There's some lovely shots of clamps being everywhere! I'm surprised though! You haven't made a request to see my gf this time?

 

[Eyal]

Get alot of vines aswell

 

[Fearaffect]

I'm working on that in my blog. There's some lovely shots of clamps being everywhere! I'm surprised though! You haven't made a request to see my gf this time?

Sir, I am a gentleman......that would be wrong of me to ask to see your GF in the cage with some type of outfit(cavegirl, nurse, maid, nordic viking babe) and a collar.........just wrong......

Cant wait to see those pics in you blog...........of the cage that is!!

 

[SliK JiM]

Well, another day, another update!

Here's the latest pic! Got the wood put in and sorted out the light assembly. Works really well but I need to create 2 reflectors tomorrow for the tubes! Only got to move the last few plants and the other vines from his current enclosure (although, I might not use them all as it loos pretty good without!) then its time to move him! Which is a good question, when should I move him? As in, morning or night? Also, he's really grumpy as of late, so is there a good way to get him out?

Anyway, here's that pic!

Oh, and Brye, just because you're good with your hands it doesn't make you a gentleman!

 

[SliK JiM]

Oh yeah, the cables for the lights will be moved when it's finished, that was just there to test things out!