Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[mcfluffin]

Hi all...

I've made the choice to create my own viv for what will hopefully be one (or maybe two) Carpet chameleons. I'm confused as to what kind of mesh to get. I found this stuff on ebay which is really cheap, but I really haven't a clue what is suitable...

Heavy Duty Polyester Screen (Semi-Rigid)

1.3 x 1.5 meter sheet size

High White Colour

1mm x 1mm Squares

Apparently carpets like to climb mesh, and shouldn't have mesh too fine, so maybe a larger mesh would be better to start with?

Also, what is a good material mesh to use (i.e. aluminium, polyester, fabric etc?)

I'm planning on a wooden frame with melamine back panel (to stop water from soaking the wall behind, and also to minimize the white background, as the white wall might stress the animals a bit with UV reflecting off it). Would cham keepers say this is a good way forward if I want an affordable easy to construct viv? I know you can also get metal corner sections in the US, where you can simply clip panels together, although I haven't seen them anywhere in the UK.

Sorry to ramble, any help will be great...

Joe

[kroakykaren]

Hi Joe if money were no object aluminium mesh is the way to go, i would be unsure of the ebay stuff it may not react to heat well, i keep my carpets in exo terra glass vivs with a mesh lid they do really well in them as they like it nice and humid. Another option is one of the flexariums, i use them also, and i place on the back a shower curtain or a plastic table cloth just to keep some of the water in when spraying.Saying all that i am a huge fan of the exo's here is a pic of my carpets setup it may help you decide which option to take.

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[mcfluffin]

Thanks Karen. Do they provide adequate ventilation? I have one of the 60x45x45 exo terras myself. Are they the right size also? They look good though...

[kroakykaren]

Thats what size i use and the ventilation is excellent Joe
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[mcfluffin]

Cool. Are they lateralis minor or Major?

[kroakykaren]

Mine are Major, there are photos of them on the cham thread somewhere
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[mcfluffin]

Cool, well I've just had a cashflow crisis, but maybe I'll get a flexarium 30 inch tall jobby for a single carpet cham. Are your's kept singly Karen?

[redbelly]

Aluminium "pin hole" or flie mesh is what i make all my vivs from its not that expensive,i have try'd using the black fabric/plastic mesh and insects can eat though this.
Would recommend buiding your own start with a good base like a large seed tray with out drainage and build round it

[mcfluffin]

If the size is OK with the flexarium I may well use one as they're not too expensive. is the 30 inch x 16.5x 16.5 size OK for one? Would that be suitable for a single lateralis?

[kroakykaren]

Yes Joe i think that would be fine
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