The time has come to move my male veiled out of his current cage. I found the proper screening finally and i am now looking for any more input. one big thing is the plant(s). i want to put at least one umbrella plant in. but are these fairly flimsy or can i just put enough fake branches to hold it up. i also would like to know about the draining and lighting situation. i want to make it about 18"L x 36"W x 48"H. i think this should work. any input on this would be a huge help. i am newer to the chameleon world and loving every minute of it.
Veiled Cage Design
- Thread starter Phillip
- Start date
Justin Carl
Avid Member
I wouldnt use an umbrella plant ever again.
My male veiled destroyed the one in his cage.
If i were you i would take the hibiscus route.
I like to add as many vines and braches as possible.
This will keep him from walking all over your live plant and killing it.
You can also use a couple of silk plant for decor.
also, your cage size sounds good. Just make sure it is about 6' high total.
Your water dripping can be taken care of with a small bucket with screen over the top and a Reptisun 5.0 should be suffice.
My male veiled destroyed the one in his cage.
If i were you i would take the hibiscus route.
I like to add as many vines and braches as possible.
This will keep him from walking all over your live plant and killing it.
You can also use a couple of silk plant for decor.
also, your cage size sounds good. Just make sure it is about 6' high total.
Your water dripping can be taken care of with a small bucket with screen over the top and a Reptisun 5.0 should be suffice.
DarkRapture
New Member
glad that you are enjoying!! i just finished building my cage last weekend, and i think that the size you are choosing is great! check it out maybe you will get ideas! https://www.chameleonforums.com/finally-my-new-custom-8897/
what are you planning on doing for lighting? i decided to use 2 spotlamps for varied temperature and lighting in addition to the UVB tube...
as far as drainage is concerned, try to get something plastic for the base if possible. if i could change anything about my cage i built, i would've spent a bit more money and got some strong kind of plastic for the bottom as it is waterproof, and my ply bottom is not (even with lots of waterproofing coats!). all the pooling water doesn't drain fast enough and has found a way to seep under my vinyl floor tiles, so i will just gluegun the seams to fix it. just drilling some holes in the bottom and gluing a funnel to the underside (with screen in between) will be adequate and easy to manage. bucket can be emptied daily and sanitized every week. i think the best part is that there isn't water in the enclosure (like it is with drip trays) so it is cleaner.
i also debated using my umbrella plant as my main plant but decided against it. those leaves just fall to easily for my liking... other people seem to love them though. i have decided to use my ficus instead and only put in a small 24" high umbrella. my cham likes to eat the ficus occasionally and i dont think that they eat the umbrella plants. hibiscus is a winner when it comes to the safest plant for chameleons. they are edible and chams apparently love it. i would've bought one if it was actually available but its sooo out of season right now. (*cries*)
the more foliage in there the better! your cham will love to hide and feel safer with so many plants, sticks and vines. hope you have fun deciding!!!
Since this is a topic here your bucket with a screen over it is that to help with a dripper. Also with a pro mist system do i need to look into something like a vinyl bottom or something waterproof or really what i wanna know is if it is going to spray so much water it floods after about five minutes or so of running.
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