Ziggy's New Big Boy Digs

[Ninkylou]

With the new guy (Dario I think he will be) arriving in the morning I needed to get Ziggy's big boy bed set up and ready for him to move into it in the morning.

I would appreciate and critiques or suggestions.

2 x 2 x 4 DIY cage
Reptisun 5.0 in 24" hood
Daylight incandescent 60W
LED 6500k for plants

Live plants:
Golden Pothos
Sheffelera (it will go in tomorrow morning, Ziggy is currently asleep under its leaves)

Reptivines x 12' and assorted dowels of varying diameter.

I used the pan that you can buy with the DIY cage. I drilled a small hole in the lower left side and attached a aquarium airline control knob and silicone tubing on the inside and out (inside to have something as close to the bottom as possible). I'll put the outer tubing in a jug or something. I will probably raise the front corner a smidgen to improve drainage.

I am still working on the temperatures and just switched out the ceramic that was in a cage to the incandescent and well check temps again shortly. It might necessitate some branch movement but that should be pretty straightforward.

 

[jamjam]

almost everything seems good if the temps and humidity hold up okay. I know you said you have the schefflera which i assume will cover alot of space but definitely could use more foilage

 

[jamjam]

ohh and something closer to the bottom so they can climb up your lowest dowel looks pretty high if your chameleon were to go to the bottom and want back up for what ever reason. some people use bird ladders

 

[Ninkylou]

Ya, I was really surprised how big this enclosure really is. I thought this pothos was going to be too big. I was looking for a much bigger Sheffelera today too but they all looked pretty pathetic. I might have to fill in with some fake stuff till I get more growth or get something else in there.

I have a few more dowels. Wasn't sure if I needed any really low down. I bought a few shower curtain liners too. I was going to cover the 3 sides for the winter. Also have a fogger and am hoping Mistking or Aquazamp are at our show this weekend that is the next investment. Working at home I can hand mist, but would like to get it automated.

Thanks for the input thus far!

 

[juice28]

almost everything seems good if the temps and humidity hold up okay. I know you said you have the schefflera which i assume will cover alot of space but definitely could use more foilage

ohh and something closer to the bottom so they can climb up your lowest dowel looks pretty high if your chameleon were to go to the bottom and want back up for what ever reason. some people use bird ladders

yup. (arrow pointing up)

You did a good job on the cage though. It looks really nice and once you "fluff" it up a bit... two thumbs up

 

[melble68]

Ya, I was really surprised how big this enclosure really is. I thought this pothos was going to be too big. I was looking for a much bigger Sheffelera today too but they all looked pretty pathetic. I might have to fill in with some fake stuff till I get more growth or get something else in there.

Thanks for the input thus far!

Yep "more cowbell", I mean plants. Good start though. I'm looking at the SC-3 for the cooler months here in Tampa.

 

[Ninkylou]

Here is a pic from today with the Scheffelera in there. Still needs more foliage mid cage I would say. There is a dowel at the back that goes right to the floor and he has actually travelled down it while he was exploring the new place earlier today.

 

[ojr5]

With the new guy (Dario I think he will be View attachment 87448

Game of Thrones reference?

 

[melble68]

In a couple of months that schefflera will fill out nicely. I'm sure he diggin the new place.

 

[nick barta]

You could place your Scheffellera plant on top of another empty upside-down pot to get your coverage up where the cham will be. Once it is hitting the top screen, drop it down to the floor.

Nick

 

[Ninkylou]

Game of Thrones reference?

Yup cause he is Blue Bar, Daario Naharis.

 

[Oliviabryant]

Why don't you add in hanging plants? My veiled loves them! He perches on them and if you get a pothos with long vines it's great. He's pretty heavy and they support his weight
Also add in bamboo fencing. You can fin it at any hardware store


Here is what mine looks like and that enclosure is 6 ft tall 3 deep an 3 wide and it's full

 

[Ninkylou]

I love the bamboo. Gives a whole other dimension to attach plants. Thanks so much! Back to the store
For me LOL

 

[Oliviabryant]

Yeah it's amazing to have! I can attach branches so easily and it adds an extra item to climb on. It also creates a bit of a barrier so more humidity stays in. Although with my apogee enclosure it stays in very well because the mesh is so fine and it's doubled! Couldn't imagine owning anything else
If you notice in the background I've also added little potted plants onto the bamboo fence and it's created perches and also adds to the humidity. It's perfect because those little plants were like 2.00 each

 

[Ninkylou]

Yeah it's amazing to have! I can attach branches so easily and it adds an extra item to climb on. It also creates a bit of a barrier so more humidity stays in. Although with my apogee enclosure it stays in very well because the mesh is so fine and it's doubled! Couldn't imagine owning anything else
If you notice in the background I've also added little potted plants onto the bamboo fence and it's created perches and also adds to the humidity. It's perfect because those little plants were like 2.00 each

I am ordering one from Amazon, but I am not loving the Apogee style. Thats what my veiled is in. I am having such challenges with drainage and I hate the gaps where things hide. I may just not have things well set up, but I will probably get another screened one for her, when I upsize for Daario in a few months. The lattice on Amazon is 4 x 8 so I should get a good bit to use it all of the enclosures. I figured zip ties to attach small potted plants.

I love this whole idea of the live plants since my cat eats everything alive (and tries to eat the fake) this way I get to have all these great live plants in my house and keep them away from Jasmine.

I so appreciate your ideas. Everyone on here has some great info to offer.

 

[Big Gulp]

Looks good.

Question, how do you guys attach dowels/branches horizontally? Just wedge them in? And how do you keep the feeding 'cup' attached? Can you buy heavy duty magnets somewhere to use for that?

 

[Big Gulp]

Why don't you add in hanging plants? My veiled loves them! He perches on them and if you get a pothos with long vines it's great. He's pretty heavy and they support his weight
Also add in bamboo fencing. You can fin it at any hardware store


Here is what mine looks like and that enclosure is 6 ft tall 3 deep an 3 wide and it's full

Love the bamboo. Where did you get it if you don't mind me asking? I went to look on different websites but don't see any diagonal like that.

 

[Ninkylou]

I found some of the Bamboo Lattice on Amazon for $23, but what I bought was a bit different and totally inexpensive off Amazon. i just ordered it so I don't know how it will be but it was only like $13 each. I have limited access to tools so I need to try and get things that fit without much modification.

It's exterior grade cedar so I figured it would be good for longevity. I am hoping that feeders don't get behind it.

http://amzn.com/B0035H9KWE

So of course I see cedar is a no no and since I have no place to paint it I am cancelling the order....