Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am currently using 24x24x48 screen cages, but i have one small problem, water build up. i haven't been able to figure out a way for the water to drain on it's own. anyone have any suggestions?
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

In a set of cages I built, I had cut a round hole in the bottom of the cage, which was just 3/4 inch marine plywood (great for water), and I set the plant "into" the floor, so that the bottom of the plant stuck out the bottom of the cage. Then I just have like a funnel at the bottom of each plant that takes the water into a drain or you could use a rain gutter type thing along the bottom of the cages. In purchased screen cages, like the ones you get at LLL or scales, I just put a clear bowl type saucer that it close to the same size as the plant's pot (so the cham can't get stuck in it or fall in) and try not to drip too much water and empty it once a day. I just water for a little bit shorter time and mist more on those cages. They're all babies or small chams anyways and a good mist twice a day is really all they need. All my major water flow is in the bigger cages with the sunken pots.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
1.2 Nosy Be Panthers
2.2 Sambava Panthers
1.0 Tamatave Panther
1.0 Nosy Be X Unknown Cross
1.1 Veiled Chameleons
0.0.2 CBB Desert Tortoises
0.0.1 Sulcatta Tortoise

heres my situatuation. i live in arizona, just outside of phoenix. if i mist lightly enough so that i don't get a build up of water, then my humid is around 60% or less. panthers need more than that, so i will have to mist fairly heavy. by doing so, even with a saucer for the plant, i still get a pool of water. i am trying to eliminate that pool. the bottom piece of the cage dips down a little, so it pools in the middle. i have thought of drilling a hole with a slightly larger hole in the shelf below it, and using a funnel to guide the water into a bucket, but wanted to see if anyone else had any better ideas first.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

I build my own cages. The stand has a cement mixing tub from Home Depot on the bottom and above that is a row of 1x3's on their side built into the stand. They support heavy pots just fine, but let water through to the tub. I staple 1/4" hardware cloth to the top of the 1x3s for added stability. Over the hardware cloth, I just lay down a piece of PetScreen. I build the cage separately, but with no bottom. Then I just set the cage on the stand. The cage and piece of PetScreen lift off for easy cleaning. I could drip several gallons a day if I wanted to and it all falls in the tub. The tub pulls out and I can empty the water. This way, I can reposition plants if I want.

This lets me drip/mist as much as I want, not just for drinking, but for humidity as well. Never any standing water in the cage either.

Top view of stand:

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| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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^ ^
| |
series of 1x3s on their side

You could also do this with a commercial cage that has a screen bottom and just build the stand yourself.

hth,
Joel Fish

There should be more space between the vertical lines representing the 1x3s, but you get the idea. I think in real life, there's about 3" between them.

Joel Fish

what sizes do the mixing tubs come in?
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

Don't know the sizes, but the cage I built is 48x30x24" and there was a size that worked out pretty well. I do have to be a little careful if I drip/mist near the front or back sides of the cage as the tub is a little too small, but the way that I have it built, I can slide the tub forward or back once I know where it's dripping.

It's a good idea to get your tub first and then build around that. The cement mixing tubs are pretty cheap , but there's probably other things that would work.

Joel Fish

i already have some cages, i was thinking to just take the plastic bottom out of it. they are 48x24x24.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri