Begginings of a new enclosure

[lukelightwalker]

I have started building my other salt water tank into an enclosure for a small Chameleon or two. I still have to add some grape branches and vines for their climbing needs. The tank is a 36 gal Bow Front. I will post another update when finished and its new occupants are home. We try to find rescue animals so don't know when or if it will even be a Chameleon tank. However I have a 40 gal hex and a stereo cabinet I am going to turn into a double enclosure on reserve for further homes for hard to place rescues.

[ilovemypets1988]

is that the jewel vision 260 by any chance as it looks very similar to it and yh should look great when finished, gd luck with it all tbh

[lukelightwalker]

Nope just a standard generic 36 gal bowfront


is that the jewel vision 260 by any chance as it looks very similar to it and yh should look great when finished, gd luck with it all tbh

[marvelfreak]

Nice can't wait to see it finished.

[mld]

Do you say that it is for a Chameleon! :confused:

Chameleons should have a mesh/screen type of enclosure! They are easily stressed and need a lot of branches and greenery for hiding.

[belovedboas]

:)yeah ventilation is important with chams too....but if its small tank I think ya can pull it off in a tank if ur diligent about it!! looking good still

[NennaMeerkat]

LOVE that tank! That must have put you back a few bucks LOL The entire atmosphere is great as well. Good luck with your further "building" of it.

[NennaMeerkat]

Do you say that it is for a Chameleon! :confused:

Chameleons should have a mesh/screen type of enclosure! They are easily stressed and need a lot of branches and greenery for hiding.

I have heard and seen people who have owned chameleons for a long time using tanks similar to the one featured here with no problem. Mesh may be best, but it isn't the ONLY thing either. Just saying...

[stephanbakir]

A friend has a chameleon in a unique enclosure, it looks like a tree growing out of a large bowl, the idea behind it is the chameleon can climb wherever he wants, but if he climbs down he cant get out of the bowl because of the angle. Temp and humidity are maintained by keeping the chameleon in the reptile room.
All it takes is creativity and some people can come up with some amazing looking places for their reptiles to spend their lives.

[lukelightwalker]

As I said I would like to put a chamelion in it however it will eventually house the first rescue that needs a good permamnent home. Yes I am aware that a chamelion will need much more greenery, vines and branches for hiding and climbing and if it does house a chamelion it will get it. Remember this is an enclosure in the making.

Do you say that it is for a Chameleon! :confused:

Chameleons should have a mesh/screen type of enclosure! They are easily stressed and need a lot of branches and greenery for hiding.

[NennaMeerkat]

A friend has a chameleon in a unique enclosure, it looks like a tree growing out of a large bowl, the idea behind it is the chameleon can climb wherever he wants, but if he climbs down he cant get out of the bowl because of the angle. Temp and humidity are maintained by keeping the chameleon in the reptile room.
All it takes is creativity and some people can come up with some amazing looking places for their reptiles to spend their lives.

That right there is an awesome picture in my mind. Wish I had a home that could support something like this. Just plain cool. Kudos to that friend for thinking, quite literally, outside the box with his pet.

[stephanbakir]

I'll email him and try to get him to send me some pics of it if you guys want to see it.

[lukelightwalker]

I would love to see it for sure

I'll email him and try to get him to send me some pics of it if you guys want to see it.

[infernalis]

Looks great...

I have always wanted one of those corner bow fronts (Shaped like a piece of pie)

[lukelightwalker]

Actually it is a normal Bow front So 4 sides actually. I guess the way I took the pics though it might look like a corner version. If I had a corner that wasn't already full I just might have one.

Looks great...

I have always wanted one of those corner bow fronts (Shaped like a piece of pie)

[lukelightwalker]

Well it is official This enclosure will become a Chinese Water Dragon habitat. We found a rescued one today and are officially its new home once it heals and goes through a strict quaranteen. She came in with some pretty deep cuts to her face and neck however is apparently healing up pretty quick and looking and acting very healthy.

I kept a large high quality filtration system from my aquarium stuff just in case an aquatic reptile came my way. I figure I will set the water level just below the top of the lowest hide and then build some ramps with stones. I will ad some vines and grape branches so she has lots to climb on and have also added a basking lamp that is not in the pictures I posted.

I have started building my other salt water tank into an enclosure for a small Chameleon or two. I still have to add some grape branches and vines for their climbing needs. The tank is a 36 gal Bow Front. I will post another update when finished and its new occupants are home. We try to find rescue animals so don't know when or if it will even be a Chameleon tank. However I have a 40 gal hex and a stereo cabinet I am going to turn into a double enclosure on reserve for further homes for hard to place rescues.

[Lankyrob]

Sorry if i misread but are you suggesting a water dragon is aquatic? Ie that the live in water?

They so need a nice sized bowl or water source to be able to get into and out of easily but they are not aquatic in the sense that they live in water like a turtle for example.

If i have the wrong end of the stick then i apologise but if i havent then you should really do a lot more research before rescuing an animal and putting it into an enclosure taht is totally wtong for it.

[mld]

A water dragon will need an arboreal tall enclosure about the size of a refrigerator!

[Lankyrob]

Personally i would go for a 4 foot long and 3 foot high and 3 foot deep wooden viv with a large water container in the warn end for humidity and for swimming. They need plenty of climbing branches as well as they like to chill out up in the trees

[lukelightwalker]

Sorry Rob I missed the "semi" aquatic part. I am very aware that they dont need a tank full of water however all my studying has revealed that they do like a habitat that has a water area about 2 to 3 inches deep that is filtered and has currents in it. I also plan on having lots of area that is not submerged and provides lots of climbing opportunities as well. I have also studied her heat, humidity and light requirements and am already planning for these as well. The rescue I am getting her from is aware of what I am planning for her enclosure and consider it a castle compared to the tiny, lousy and what would have been terminal conditions she was rescued from.

Sorry if i misread but are you suggesting a water dragon is aquatic? Ie that the live in water?

They so need a nice sized bowl or water source to be able to get into and out of easily but they are not aquatic in the sense that they live in water like a turtle for example.

If i have the wrong end of the stick then i apologise but if i havent then you should really do a lot more research before rescuing an animal and putting it into an enclosure taht is totally wtong for it.

[Lankyrob]

In that case, my apologies, sounds like you are ready to go. Keep us updated with pics of the dragon and the enclosure.

[lukelightwalker]

So here is my official unveiling of my new chinese water dragon enclosure. Now before anyone jumps on me for the size as it is only a 36 Gallon bow front, Remember I am getting her as a rescue and she was in a tiny 10 Gallon tank and her conditions would have been fatal very soon if she had not been found and rescued.

As you can see I have taken great care in designing an interesting and natural looking environment for her. She can dig under her basking rock. chill out on the ledge or bridge over the water. I have planted the Ficus near the angled overhang so she can hide back there. I have 2 different Pothos, 2 different Dracaena, 4 Bamboo stalks and plan at least 2 Hibiscus cuttings coming in soon from a friend.

I am going to address her climbing need a little more as the date to adopt her draws near. About 2 weeks however I think 2 well placed and sized grape branches and when the bamboo gets going a little more she will be a very happy dragon despite the smaller enclosure. Anyway she is young and small there is nothing says I may not give her something bigger as she gets bigger.

Send more pics as the enclosure changes and once I get her.

Walker

[Lankyrob]

I understand that you are improving the conditions but taking an animal from one set of wrong conditions and placing them in another set of wrong conditions isnt solving any problems.

If you cant put the animal into the perfect enclosure and husbandry requirements then let it go to someone who can.

[CanadianEryx]

I, also, am concerned about the size of this habitat (although it does look great). Chinese water dragons grow up to 3 feet in length (males) and need approx. double that for the length of their habitat. A 35 gallon aquarium is no where near the size you need! They also like their water to swim in--do you have a big enough area for that as your little one grows? If your pet is less than 1 foot in length, then I guess you've got a good starter home, but I would suggest starting on a much larger enclosure very quickly--it's really going to need the space!

[lukelightwalker]

And you keep your snakes in racks. OK well I will just be ignoring you from now on. Read My Post she is under a year old under a foot long and I stated that I would more than likely get her a larger environment to live in as she grows. Is there no positive people on this site.

:unibrow::no:

I understand that you are improving the conditions but taking an animal from one set of wrong conditions and placing them in another set of wrong conditions isnt solving any problems.

If you cant put the animal into the perfect enclosure and husbandry requirements then let it go to someone who can.

[TeaNinja]

lol, do you know how dumb that sounds?
for one thing, SNAKES ENJOY RACKS. they like small dark confined spaces.
LIZARDS DO NOT Enjoy small dark cramped spaces.
that's like me buying a retic tomorrow and stuffing it into a small tank and saying "well i'll most likely get it proper housing later"

the fact that you are thinking about "maybe" getting it the proper housing later seems stupid.

i'm very nice and positive but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why people are talking to you the way they did. and to say you're going to ignore rob because he uses snake racks makes you THAT MUCH MORE naive in my book.

[lukelightwalker]

Read My Post she is under a year old under a foot long and I stated that I would more than likely get her a larger environment to live in as she grows. The water area is more than adequate at 6 gallons capacity and it is filtered. she will have lots of room to not only stretch out but also totally submerge. and as i started my post with for those of you who are going to jump down my throat back off. Is there no positive people on this site.

I, also, am concerned about the size of this habitat (although it does look great). Chinese water dragons grow up to 3 feet in length (males) and need approx. double that for the length of their habitat. A 35 gallon aquarium is no where near the size you need! They also like their water to swim in--do you have a big enough area for that as your little one grows? If your pet is less than 1 foot in length, then I guess you've got a good starter home, but I would suggest starting on a much larger enclosure very quickly--it's really going to need the space!

[stephanbakir]

Its the thought that counts. ROFL
There are plenty of positive people on this forum, and to be honest, I have been here for a little while and i can tell you right now, that if ANYONE makes a negative comment, they almost always back it up constructively.
That being said, if you start spewing crap and false information, they will bring it to your attention, and everyone else's attention to avoid people believing it.
Snakes dont "love" racks, but they prefer them because they like feeling secure. Lizards are similar, but they need their space to move around or they get stressed.

[stephanbakir]

The way people respond to you greatly depends on the attitude you bring to the table.
There are very few people on this planet that will jump at you and start a war for no reason. Look back at the post and find out why you got the response you think you got, you might either find a reason for it, or find out that maybe just maybe you misread the conversation and people were honestly just giving their opinions and trying to help you.

[lukelightwalker]

Thanks, and for a very young water dragon under a year and under a foot this will be a castle and when she outgrows it I will build her a new enclosure more appropriate to her size and need. Same thing I do for my beardies and and other lizards. Changing their enviroment up on a regular basis keeps them more occupied and happy.

My beardies are looking at getting a much larger and and full of climbs and hides and water features custom enclosure this summer as I would like them to be in larger surroundings. why would I not build her one too as she gets bigger.

I just can't figure out why people are always so quick to jump down others throats. If you look at the enclosure I have built for a baby water dragon I have done my research and I have built a very nice enclosure that will suit a baby for quit some time. At the first signs, of any kind, of boredom and size rubbing I will be starting on its new enclosure. and this one will become an enclosure for another semi aquatic lizard that fits its size.

Remember I rescue these critters from people to give them a good life not make the same mistakes the people I rescue them from made.

Walker

Its the thought that counts. ROFL
There are plenty of positive people on this forum, and to be honest, I have been here for a little while and i can tell you right now, that if ANYONE makes a negative comment, they almost always back it up constructively.
That being said, if you start spewing crap and false information, they will bring it to your attention, and everyone else's attention to avoid people believing it.
Snakes dont "love" racks, but they prefer them because they like feeling secure. Lizards are similar, but they need their space to move around or they get stressed.

[Lankyrob]

And you keep your snakes in racks. OK well I will just be ignoring you from now on. Read My Post she is under a year old under a foot long and I stated that I would more than likely get her a larger environment to live in as she grows. Is there no positive people on this site.

:unibrow::no:

If you are going to argue a point then at least get your facts straight, none of my snakes have ever been kept in a rack, i dont like racks personally but they dont affect the snakes negatively as shown by snakes that live long lives, eating, shedding and breeding in racks.

In the post that i responded to there was a shaky possibility mentioned that you may build a bigger enclosure later not that you would provide the correct care for the life of the lizard. Your post could be read that if you cant be bothered the lizard will live in an inappropriate enclosure for life.

As for being positive, i dont know many more positive peoplethan myself. Just because someone speaks frankly and honestly doesnt make them negative.

[CanadianEryx]

Sorry that you perceived my response as negative--that was not my intention at all. If you read any of my posts to others on this forum you will see that my main concern is for the animals (including reptiles) that we bring into our homes. I hope you can get past the red in your eyes to see what people here are saying. In the meantime, I'm glad you have thought out all the ramifications of the environment you have created for your baby (and it looks good, as does the sound of some more climbing structures). I look forward to hearing about its next-step-up enclosure as well.

[stephanbakir]

I hope you can get past the red in your eyes to see what people here are saying.
It's statements like this that i was refering to, you could have worded that 10,000 different ways, or just left it out of your statement, the people that you are refering to try their best to help you, the way you are taking their attempts to give insight seams to be a little off, I urge you again to re-read what they are saying because you might be surprised. They have no reason to be against you from the start, they receive no personal gain by acting like you think they are.

[stephanbakir]

Sorry that you perceived my response as negative
I do however find it interesting that you claim that they wrongly perceived your response as negative, and then insult them in the same sentence.

[lukelightwalker]

Ok for starters lets show that I am the big man and can appologize. I am sorry for my rack comment Rob. I saw your post of your snake enclosures and they are very nice. I can see you have very happy and well cared for babies. I must have assumed by some of your posts that you kept your snakes in racks. We both know what happens when we assume, so I will be the *** in this case.. I was having a very frustrating day yesterday and forgot to use my "mind to keyboard filter".

I would like to say though that I find it frustrating that on this site whenever I post anything as a new member. I get way more critique than anything. I have also seen it in other posts from people just trying their best and do right by their animals.

Take some time to get to know your new members. Me for instance. I am a life time aquarist and admitedly a fairly new herpist. I however have a guru who is a lifetime herpist and is conveiniently my room mate. She is also a member of a local rescue society. I am also becoming a member myself.

I have consulted her and done much studying on the web regarding this build and for a baby Water dragon, this is a very good enclosure and will likely serve its needs for up to a year or more. It has lots of plants appropriate for a dragon. a 7 gallon, live filtered water, area that a dragon up to 2 feet could easily submerge in. I will be adding climbing areas, more bamboo and plantings before she arrives.

For our bonded pair of beardies this summer I plan a very large enclosure. It will be 6 feet wide X 3 feet deep X 4 feet high at its highest point. I am planning a large safe climbing area in the back with lots of hang out places integrated in. There will be a nice water feature that gives them room to soak and a maze of stone hides.

I have another beardie who lives in a 4x3x4 home built enclosure. It is built from a wooden shipping crate. I am just now building a live water feature for her.

I have another of these crates in the garage and a line on more. I think one of them built into a nice Water Dragon enclosure would do nicely and one I have built for the "mean time" can be for another small semi aquatic reptile or baby.

I quite enjoy building and designing hides and enclosures and never procrastinate when it comes time for one of my babies to have a new enclosure.

We both take awesome care of our reptiles and always give them the best enviroment that stimulates their minds and is adequate to more than adequate in size.

All I was trying to do was showcase a nice enclosure, as all members are encouraged to do. I was not looking to be critiqued.

Just a thought.

I find the best way to critique and get away with it is to make a statement along these lines " Wow that is an awesome looking enclosure for a small or baby water dragon. Looks like you put alot of effort into it. It is a baby you are planning on putting in there? As it would be to small for a full grown Water Dragon as they will tend to snout rub in a small enclosure and will cause themselves great injury and harm. If it is for a baby then be prepared to get a larger enclosure in a year or so or consider a smaller semi aquatic reptile because it really is a great viv.

Pictures are of the rock and submerged ramp I have added to deal with the depth issue.

Humbly

Walker



If you are going to argue a point then at least get your facts straight, none of my snakes have ever been kept in a rack, i dont like racks personally but they dont affect the snakes negatively as shown by snakes that live long lives, eating, shedding and breeding in racks.

In the post that i responded to there was a shaky possibility mentioned that you may build a bigger enclosure later not that you would provide the correct care for the life of the lizard. Your post could be read that if you cant be bothered the lizard will live in an inappropriate enclosure for life.

As for being positive, i dont know many more positive peoplethan myself. Just because someone speaks frankly and honestly doesnt make them negative.

[CanadianEryx]

I am impressed with how you have done your water feature--it looks great. My brother did a similar thing for his newts way back when, but did not do as good a job as you with the silicone!! May your baby dragon find much enjoyment in his new habitat!
BTW, criticism sometimes does hurt(even when their is truth involved), but it should always be constructive. I hope we have all learned something from this whole thing!

[infernalis]

Is there no positive people on this site.

:unibrow::no:


Rob has got to be one of the nicest people on this site, and I take great pride in keeping this site one of the friendliest most unified forums on the entire net.


I read your apolgy, so I just wanted to point out, not angry or anything ok ;) :)

[lukelightwalker]

Thanks, much appreciated.

I so look forward to taking the same idea to a larger enclosure. With a little thought and some custom pans that will hold the moisture I belive I can do the same thing in the shipping crate I mentioned. However building my beardie enclosure first this summer should give me all the skills I need to do an awesome large Viv for her when she gets bigger. I am planning a large waterfall in the middle of the climb area with a shallow river effect through the middle of the enclosure. We all know beardies love their water too.

As far as the silicone goes I need to do some trimming to assure nothing is accessible to her and I have made sure to apply from the back and put most of my plantings so they hide access to silicone as well. This will all be done before she arrives.

Newts now there is a thought for down the road when I move her out of there.

Walker


I am impressed with how you have done your water feature--it looks great. My brother did a similar thing for his newts way back when, but did not do as good a job as you with the silicone!! May your baby dragon find much enjoyment in his new habitat!
BTW, criticism sometimes does hurt(even when their is truth involved), but it should always be constructive. I hope we have all learned something from this whole thing!

[CanadianEryx]

Wow, you are ambitious!! I look forward to seeing what you come up with in terms of that waterfall idea!! When will your baby arrive? Please post some pics once he's settled in his new home.

[infernalis]

I so look forward to the photos....

[Lankyrob]

Thank you for taking the time to apologise.

If you look through all my comments it is extremely rare for me to be negative or critical in the first instance. In this thread we had already discussed the ideal size for the enclosure and in your post i assumed (assumption being the mother of all evil) that there was little intent to increase the enclosure as the dragon requires it.

As you have now explained your plans then fair play to you for rescuing the animal and it looks like he will have a long and healthy life with you.

[lukelightwalker]

As soon as the snow melts and my garage dries out I will be purchasing some melamine for the main structure of the habitat and I will start a new thread posting the construction in its various stages.

Walker

[mld]

May I suggest not using Melamine for your enclosure! Its very hard to work with and if it gets wet it basically falls apart. For a water dragon I would suggest using a good quality plywood, and lots of sealer. When you do build look at an enclosure about the size of a refrigerator, make the water part something that can be pullout out of easily for cleaning, most filers aren't going to be able to handle the amour of poop that will be in the water.

[lukelightwalker]

Thanks for the awesome suggestions.

This build is not for the water Dragon though it is for my bonded pair of beardies. My Water dragon habitat will be after that, after she grows a little in the one I have set up now. It will be built in a shipping container and the dimentions will be 4' X 3' X4'.

I was originally planning to use marine grade plywood however a customer on my route sells all kinds of higher grade melamine style board that has laminate factory inslalled and when properly glued and sealed is 100 % moisture proof. It brings the price to about middle between regular plywood and marine grade.

For both builds i do plan on making any water feature area in some kind of water tight pan. I really hadn't considered the removable part. I will also have to design all the features within the water area to be removeable or not to obstruct the removal of the main water pan. Also any substrate area that will be planted with live plants will also need a waterproof pan at least. As I do look forward to giving my beardies some real plants as well.

As I said in another post I will start posting pictures of future builds as they progress.

Walker

May I suggest not using Melamine for your enclosure! Its very hard to work with and if it gets wet it basically falls apart. For a water dragon I would suggest using a good quality plywood, and lots of sealer. When you do build look at an enclosure about the size of a refrigerator, make the water part something that can be pullout out of easily for cleaning, most filers aren't going to be able to handle the amour of poop that will be in the water.

[stephanbakir]

I described something a few weeks ago i think you would enjoy working on.
A friend has a chameleon which he keeps in a unique enclosure. Its a large wide plant pot with a plant similar to a banzai in it, he also has some small vine like plants growing in it aswell. There is no cage surrounding the enclosure because his chameleon would never jump the 2 feet to the ground. He maintains temperature and humidity in the reptile room.

Its a tricky project to plan out, but something i believe you might enjoy working on.

[lukelightwalker]

I remember you mentioning it earlier in this thread. I would love to see it however Ill put something like that on the back burner untill i have a reptile room with controlable heat and humidity

I described something a few weeks ago i think you would enjoy working on.
A friend has a chameleon which he keeps in a unique enclosure. Its a large wide plant pot with a plant similar to a banzai in it, he also has some small vine like plants growing in it aswell. There is no cage surrounding the enclosure because his chameleon would never jump the 2 feet to the ground. He maintains temperature and humidity in the reptile room.

Its a tricky project to plan out, but something i believe you might enjoy working on.

[HDreptiles]

Very nice enclosure. I was thinking of doing something like that with a 45 gallon tall tank. I think it would be for a chameleon, or poison dart frogs. Is there any way you can show me your beardie enclosure. My fiancee just got a baby who is about 3 weeks old, and I need to start thinking more permanent home for him as he is currently in a 10 gallon tank until he puts on a couple more inches. Thank you.

[lukelightwalker]

I have not started on the beardie enclosure yet as We are still waiting for the snow to stop and in my case my garage to dry out from the snow melt however I will be posting a complete step by step series of posts on building a live viv when I do.

Walker