Will this DIY idea work?

[Kaianuanu]

I have a 24x24x48 aluminum cage and I'm planning on getting a little male Nosy Be that will be between 3 and 4 months old. From what i've been told, this cage is much too big for a chameleon this young and small. I dont want to go out and spend more money on a smaller cage that I will only use for a few months at the most, so this was my idea. I had this trash can sitting in my garage unused, it is 24" tall and 16" wide. I was thinking maybe I could cut out a big panel on the front and back and glue or tape in some fiberglass screen, that I also have laying around. And either keep the decor and windows low enough so that it cant climb out, or cover the top with some 1/4" hardware cloth. I'll probably suspend the dripper from the ceiling and rig up a drainage system in the bottom. And probably stick with fake plants until he is in the big cage. So, would this setup work long enough for my cham to grow into its big cage?

BTW: I have a 24" t5 HO 5.0 UV fixture that i ordered for the big cage that i plan to put on the diy cage with an incandescent dome.

 

[Carlton]

IMO I wouldn't bother with the trash can. I would divide off a portion of your existing cage with some sort of panel (screen attached with zip ties, piece of plastic sheeting, etc). Using that dark pretty enclosed can might overheat if set under the lights.

 

[cubanbee]

Agreed, I'd be concerned about the heat + plastic combination. Melting, deforming, fumes.. who knows, just seems risky. I like the partitioning idea, maybe a plant stand/small table like structure with a 2x2 piece of plastic sheeting (maybe even the one that's already in the cage) on it to raise the bottom is another idea that would still allow you to have plants on the bottom of the enclosure.

Maybe even simply cup feeding to ensure he can find his food in a big enclosure would be enough. Don't know that I'd be worried about falling in a big space. Have lots of plants and vines, they're pretty good climbers.

My local cragislist always has semi-beat up 18/24 inch cages for sale in the $25-35 range. You might find a deal better than trying to modify what you have.