What do you think of this design??

[grimjob]

So at the moment I am designing a custom enclosure and am almost done, I've just sketched up a rough design of the lighting set up. just playing around with some ideas, I just don't know if the 2 heat spots are a over kill or not and if I should have the UVB go the hole way across the enclosure or just half so if he wants to get out of it he can go to the other side, that was the idea with the second heat spot I he wanted to bask without the UVB, just some ideas would love to hear what everyone thinks and there options, thanks
Nate

 

[chameleonkev]

Whats it made of? Wood, mesh? also I'd put the uv In the middle of the viv else your Cham won't get good UVB at one end of the enclosure

 

[grimjob]

It's a mesh cage from fly screen framing like the repti breeze, just making it my self, I'll just get a light fixture that goes the length of the enclosure.

 

[DavidBuchan]

There's no need to bask without uvb so the two basking bulbs will be overkill
No need for different temp bask spots for chams really, as he'll just have brief basks during the day, between wandering around.

 

[grimjob]

Ok sweet so just one basking spot, and have the UVB light go the hole way of the enclosure, to easy. Thanks for the help

 

[Solid Snake]

I second the single basking spot.

Also, I would swap the positions of the UVB and 6500k.

If you swapped them, the animal would get more UVB whilst basking, and having the 6500k in the middle would ensure a better spread for the plants.

Thats how Id do it.

 

[Psychobunny]

I am a bit confused looking at your pics.
Are u making it wider then tall?
If so, I would turn it on end, so its taller then it is wide.
Chams love to climb to the highest spot, and cages made for
them are always tall.

 

[grimjob]

I second the single basking spot.

Also, I would swap the positions of the UVB and 6500k.

If you swapped them, the animal would get more UVB whilst basking, and having the 6500k in the middle would ensure a better spread for the plants.

Thats how Id do it.

Ok will do thanks for that

 

[grimjob]

I am a bit confused looking at your pics.
Are u making it wider then tall?
If so, I would turn it on end, so its taller then it is wide.
Chams love to climb to the highest spot, and cages made for
them are always tall.

Yeh I had a cage like that it was the reptibreeze the biggest one I think it was 24x24x48 or something like that and he would go to the highest point but It wasn't long and he didn't have much space to cruise when he was at the too, I figure they will go to the too of the cage no matter how tall it is and now he can cruising everywhere around the top

 

[DanSB]

If I'm reading this correct 600mm x 1200mm x 900mm?

If it were me I would change the vertical to 1200mm as well. It will keep the same foot print, not be that much more material, and make the cham happier.

In the US they sell 48" double florescent fixtures I would imagine you could find a 120 cm equivalent in which you could put a uvb and 6500k bulb which would ensure good even plant growth and plenty of uvb exposure. As far as the basking light it would be fine at one end like shown.

I didn't see doors / access on the design. that is the hardest part of any custom cage, how are you going to accomplish entry access?

Either way you have a lucky cham that is great giving all that room!

 

[grimjob]

If I'm reading this correct 600mm x 1200mm x 900mm?

If it were me I would change the vertical to 1200mm as well. It will keep the same foot print, not be that much more material, and make the cham happier.

In the US they sell 48" double florescent fixtures I would imagine you could find a 120 cm equivalent in which you could put a uvb and 6500k bulb which would ensure good even plant growth and plenty of uvb exposure. As far as the basking light it would be fine at one end like shown.

I didn't see doors / access on the design. that is the hardest part of any custom cage, how are you going to accomplish entry access?

Either way you have a lucky cham that is great giving all that room!

The reason I've made it that height is because the stand it is on is 700 high so the top of the enclosure will b 1600 high from the ground so he will b nice and high and If it was any higher I would need a chair to get him out of the enclosure.
That is a perfect idea with the double fixture totally didn't think about it thanks.
The doors will b a double door which will open from the middle and I'll use those swivel clips to lock it bottom and top like the reptibreeze.

Thanks I hope he like it can't wait to give it to him

 

[DanSB]

The reason I've made it that height is because the stand it is on is 700 high so the top of the enclosure will b 1600 high from the ground so he will b nice and high and If it was any higher I would need a chair to get him out of the enclosure.
That is a perfect idea with the double fixture totally didn't think about it thanks.
The doors will b a double door which will open from the middle and I'll use those swivel clips to lock it bottom and top like the reptibreeze.

Thanks I hope he like it can't wait to give it to him

ha I forget I'm tall sometimes. I am about 1860mm tall and can easily reach higher. I like to keep my enclosures so the chameleons can rest above my head level, I think it makes them more comfortable. I would still add the extra foot and get a step stool.

My ultimate plan is to have my enclosures top at about 10 feet / 3050mm off the ground. I have 12 foot ceilings in the room that will eventually be the cham room, but I have 2 more rooms I need to remodel first. I have a hard time visualizing metric measurements and have to convert to imperial in my head

 

[grimjob]

ha I forget I'm tall sometimes. I am about 1860mm tall and can easily reach higher. I like to keep my enclosures so the chameleons can rest above my head level, I think it makes them more comfortable. I would still add the extra foot and get a step stool.

My ultimate plan is to have my enclosures top at about 10 feet / 3050mm off the ground. I have 12 foot ceilings in the room that will eventually be the cham room, but I have 2 more rooms I need to remodel first. I have a hard time visualizing metric measurements and have to convert to imperial in my head

I'll see what I can do about adding that extra height, I've already cut the framing to size. Yeh I'm a shorty hahaha.
Wow that sounds like a massive area, your chams would love that height that's huge I would need a ladder to get to the top hahaha, changing light bulbs would b a full day job hahaha. Sounds like your chams ate very spoilt and lucky