Which Enclosure To Pick?!

[zjuckett]

I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not I should free range or cage raise my veiled. I know I'd have to get him the 2x2x4 anyway, but he's only 3 months old. Is it okay to free range them at this age? I'm just nervous about leaving him for hours at a time. It's not like I have other animals that aren't cage that would bother him, I'm just nervous because I've never free ranged before.

I have the option of ordering an XL reptibreeze on Amazon for 86 bucks or going to home depot and buying two nice tall plants at 10 bucks a pop. I'm just wondering what you all think, because it's getting on my nerves and I can't decide if one is better than the other.

Advice would be much appreciated.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

3 months old? He is small enough that he could get lost or stepped on very easily. I would wait until he's an adult to try free ranging.

 

[zjuckett]

See, I was going to put the plants on a table in a corner so he couldn't wander off anywhere and there isn't enough traffic to step on him. But would your suggestion to just go ahead and buy the 2x2x4 for now?

 

[Solid Snake]

I dont recomend buying a "baby" cage. The reason being is that you will have to buy a bigger one soon anyway. It can be harder to feed in a larger enclosure though. But not impossible. Larger enclosures can always be sectioned off as well. I dont recomend free-ranging until the animal is big enough to not be easily lost Then only in a secure room.
IMO I would recomend getting a 2x2x4 cage, even if you plan on free-ranging eventually.

 

[PantherEnvy]

Figure out a way to do both. Maybe the enclosure for now, free range next week. Then adapt both together.

 

[zjuckett]

That makes sense. Having the cage would be a good idea. I found the reptibreeze on amazon for 86 bucks which is awesome. But I also saw DIY had the same dimensions for 99. That 13 bucks could get me a UVB bulb or something, but do you think it's best to just get the cheapest cage I can find or do you think it's better to go with a site sponsor?

Also, would it be bad to place the cage on the floor. My graceful loves being higher, but aren't Veileds less sensitive?

 

[Solid Snake]

All chameleons want to be as high as possible!
I really like the DIYcages. They are sturdy, and easy to modify and clean.
Its worth the $99 IMO.
If you ever free-range, you can use it as an outdoor cage.
Theres plenty of good in having a cage on hand in general.
I have not used reptibreeze, so I cant comment on them.

 

[zjuckett]

Oh, well, I have a reptibreeze for Gracie and I like it!

 

[RunCode3]

i got the one on amazon for 86$ and I love it! I went to IKEA and got a 2x2 table w/ drawers I screwed the cage on to.

 

[zjuckett]

That's so clever! The closest Ikea to me is in Montreal! Maybe they ship...lol

 

[thatoneguy]

i have the large 18x18x36 reptibreeze cage and i really hope the dyi cages are sturdier. the reptibreeze kinda pops out all the time when i move the cage and the door warps at the joints. i glued it together now but when it was just as it came it was very flimsy. i havent had a dyi but it even looks sturdier. and like every1 else says it doesnt hurt to have an extra cage around. if you do decide to free range your veiled you can move up your graceful and use the small one for feeders. endless possibilities!!!!

 

[Solid Snake]

i have the large 18x18x36 reptibreeze cage and i really hope the dyi cages are sturdier. the reptibreeze kinda pops out all the time when i move the cage and the door warps at the joints. i glued it together now but when it was just as it came it was very flimsy. i havent had a dyi but it even looks sturdier. and like every1 else says it doesnt hurt to have an extra cage around. if you do decide to free range your veiled you can move up your graceful and use the small one for feeders. endless possibilities!!!!

Wow. The reptibreezes sound terrible!
My DIY has been through 3 moves, one of them halfway across the country. Ive drilled holes in it to add hooks and such, and have had a hefty pothos hanging from the top since Ive owned it. Its still sturdy and solid. Its looking dingy from water deposits, but other than that its as good as new. The only other cage Ive owned was a small exo-terra screened enclosure. Those things are god awful!

 

[thatoneguy]

haha yea. i shoulda coughed up the extra like $5 bucks and got the dyi. but that was then and i was kinda oblivious and didn't know any better. i saw name brand and figured it was best. not the case lol

 

[Solid Snake]

Hey, you gotta pick one of them! Guess I got lucky

 

[thatoneguy]

haha i guess so.
i had a 50/50 chance and i blew it!!

 

[zjuckett]

I dunno. I guess I like the reptibreeze. I'm also in a little bit of a time crunch here because I was supposed to be getting another cage from someone on craigslist and that fell through. I have amazon prime and the free two day shipping is beginning to look very appealing.