hello..chameleon enclosure help first time post

[eldarado]

hi every one my name is frank..I have a few years expereance with a couple of speices of chameleon...jacksons,carpet_jewled,veiled.. I want to build a veiled chameleon terrarium enclosure..just like the glass exo terra tank but make it with screen sides,glass front door,glass back,screen top and water proof bottom..I want to add real plants,real moss grass subtrait...I pick moss because they cant swallow it..and a water fall..75% land 25% water..can I use foam poly stiren to make the water fall if I seal it with some type of grout...I plan on making this enclosure around 40 to 50 gallons in height..I will spare no expense in this project..i want them to have the most natural habitat that I can make..if any one has any help..that would be great..thank you..this sight is awsome

[schlegelbagel]

there is lots of help to be had here. Check out the galleries. welcome.

[Rainfrog]

If you use glass for the back you could make a background with the foam/silicone method increasing planting space, and naturalism while making one less reflective service

[tikichick]

Welcome to the forum

[eldarado]

I took a look at some of the pictures here..and man!! they are awsome..thanx for the replies ..
I plan on making this with plexi glass...so I can put screens on the side and top. when you make the false bottom for draining the land area.do you make the water drain into the water erea?and if so how is this done?and if i make a rock background out of poly stiren.am I suposed to seal the areas that touch water? thanx again..

[schlegelbagel]

i make my land area drain into a small bowl under the enclosure. I rarely get drainage because I don't over water my plants, but sometimes the water feature takes a spill when the frogs get a tad excited.

its hard to get anything to stick to plexi. If you are going to make a back wall for decoration that is solid, i would suggest something other than plexi like wood or glass. I made a background with plexi and it was the most difficult thing in the world. I ended up scuffing it to death with a drill bit and sand paper, then put screws and nuts in every 5 inches or so to give the great stuff a place to attatch. It was a pain in the butt.

[eldarado]

another question is..I want to use poly styrene background in the pink sheet form.. now!where the water flows from the water fall?do I have to seal it with something..and if I do?what type sealer do I use?do I cover the whole thing with tile grout or just seal where the water flows?and what kind of paint can I use?
and when you guy's say tile grout do you actually mean thin set?the reason I ask is because when I see the pictures.the stuff that you guy's call tile grout looks grey and thats what thin set looks like..thin set is used to set tiles in bath rooms and showers..it goes under the tile onto the backer board. itis water proof and it dries like concrete and its in a grey powder form..but sanded grout would most likely be better for painting I assume..

sorry for so much questions guy's..thanx for the replies

[Rainfrog]

I believe most people use quick set. I have not done a project with polystyrene or grout/quick set so I could not tell you for sure.

[schlegelbagel]

a friend of mine who builds aquariums suggests cement, but it has to cure a while before you can add water. Like a good month. Otherwise it will leach.