Desperately Need Experienced Advice On Cage Choices

[UrbanChameleon]

So.. I have been researching until my brain hurts on the small selection of tall screen cages out there. I decided about a week ago that I would get the LLLReptile aluminum cage and grab a drip tray too. Well I was on the website again and noticed the Reptology cages. It actually caught my attention. Just for the mere fact that it has cord ports and an extra bar on the top. I would rather go with that instead of cutting holes in my cage for my mister and everything else. Has anyone had any experience with these cages? Should I just go with the aluminum instead as originally intended? I want as many opinions as I can get on this one. And one last thing.. will the drip trays work with it? Now GO!

 

[Fearaffect]

Just go with the basic screen cage.....also check out DIY cages...might save on total cost once you factor shipping in.
I find it funny how people cut holes into the screen for misters.....I just placed mine on top of the cages....worked just the same......

 

[sszeto]

I'm going for the glass cages from Exo Terra. Not only are they pretty functional, they look sleek too. But...they are in the pretty extreme pricing range, so it's going to take some time for the extra disposable income to arrive.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

If you want to go with glass, Martymade has some nice custom vivs designed w/ chams in mind. part glass, tops are screen, and front and back are partially screened. Small loops attached to the screen inside that works nice for hanging branches and vines off of as well (They could be meant for that as i cannot figure out what else they might be for). And they are reasonably priced too! Here is a link with some pictures of mine.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-viv-finally-set-up-69934/

 

[sszeto]

If you want to go with glass, Martymade has some nice custom vivs designed w/ chams in mind. part glass, tops are screen, and front and back are partially screened. Small loops attached to the screen inside that works nice for hanging branches and vines off of as well (They could be meant for that as i cannot figure out what else they might be for). And they are reasonably priced too! Here is a link with some pictures of mine.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-viv-finally-set-up-69934/

Custom, eh?? Nice.....I noticed that your cage size is 18x24x37....which is perfect for what I need it for. Plus, one of the reasons why I want all glass is because I have prying toddlers and three dogs. So glass will slow them down significantly...plus my location's humidity is horrible for them so glass is a good way to control that, so it seems. You think the pricing is comparable, if not cheaper, than that of Exo Terra's?

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Custom, eh?? Nice.....I noticed that your cage size is 18x24x37....which is perfect for what I need it for. Plus, one of the reasons why I want all glass is because I have prying toddlers and three dogs. So glass will slow them down significantly...plus my location's humidity is horrible for them so glass is a good way to control that, so it seems. You think the pricing is comparable, if not cheaper, than that of Exo Terra's?

Pricing is cheaper than exo terra, I paid 100 less for the same size.

 

[sszeto]

Pricing is cheaper than exo terra, I paid 100 less for the same size.

Which site did you buy it from? Or did you call them directly?

 

[UrbanChameleon]

I have Bodhi in a 18x18x24 Exo Terra at the moment considering he is still a baby. I live in Kentucky.. in the summers it's in the 90's, and the winters get down in the 20's. Humidity is usually mid to lower range. So I'm kind of in-between. I'm really not sure what I want to go with. I change my mind every week. Glass and Screen both have their pro's and con's. I really don't think there are too many screen cages out there that can accommodate the needs that glass will. The Exo Terra I have him in now I can't even pick up. It was expensive and I think it would be more difficult to tie branches to. I really don't like that you have to put holes into screen to run things in and out of it. Those are just some of the issues.. I won't go through all of them. I want him to be as healthy and comfortable as possible, while also making things easier for me. I do love the features of the Exo Terra. His cage currently sits on my large TV stand. It has my TV, PS3, DVR, Xbox 360, games, etc. under it. So with screen I'm worried about drainage. I figured I'd go with the drip tray but I know I would screw up putting a drain on it. I really wish I knew people who could do those things for me. So glass does have that advantage.. and that's a big one. Screen seems easier for me in the sense that most all of the forum members have screen cages. That way I can get more advice with problems with his enclosure if needed. I know that Exo Terra's have the "chimney effect".. I wonder how well that has been tested on adult chameleons. Because they are so prone to respiratory infection. The tall ones they do have are so expensive and heavy. I don't know if I could even fit it in my house!

 

[UrbanChameleon]

If you want to go with glass, Martymade has some nice custom vivs designed w/ chams in mind. part glass, tops are screen, and front and back are partially screened. Small loops attached to the screen inside that works nice for hanging branches and vines off of as well (They could be meant for that as i cannot figure out what else they might be for). And they are reasonably priced too! Here is a link with some pictures of mine.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-viv-finally-set-up-69934/

I'll check that out! Sounds perfect. It would be nice to have half/half. I haven't been able to find any online. Thanks!

 

[UrbanChameleon]

I looked at the MartyMade terrariums. They don't seem that bad but I'm leaning more towards screen. I like that a lot of the forum members use the LLL Reptile screen cage and they also have drip trays. That is seriously the deciding factor for me. Even though it will be impossible to lift it up, which is what I will have to do. I have that added security of not ruining thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment. If anyone has this cage please comment and let me know about it. Also, if you have experience with the drip trays.

 

[Shopan]

I looked at the MartyMade terrariums. They don't seem that bad but I'm leaning more towards screen. I like that a lot of the forum members use the LLL Reptile screen cage and they also have drip trays. That is seriously the deciding factor for me. Even though it will be impossible to lift it up, which is what I will have to do. I have that added security of not ruining thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment. If anyone has this cage please comment and let me know about it. Also, if you have experience with the drip trays.

I have the 2x2x4 LLL reptile screen cage with the water tray recently. The quality is great. I have a 1 gallon big dripper and light system on top and it hold up great. It is really heavy to lift up the cage if you have a 2 feet tall plants inside. I had a pvc tube underneath the water tray so I don't have to lift the cage, just have to empty the water collector.

The water tray doesn't add more coverage to the cage. When you place the cage on top of the water tray it make the tray about one in wider in four side, not good for catching the mist if you are hoping it will catch all the mist.

 

[UrbanChameleon]

I have the 2x2x4 LLL reptile screen cage with the water tray recently. The quality is great. I have a 1 gallon big dripper and light system on top and it hold up great. It is really heavy to lift up the cage if you have a 2 feet tall plants inside. I had a pvc tube underneath the water tray so I don't have to lift the cage, just have to empty the water collector.

The water tray doesn't add more coverage to the cage. When you place the cage on top of the water tray it make the tray about one in wider in four side, not good for catching the mist if you are hoping it will catch all the mist.

Thank you. I really appreciate your help! All of the little details are important. I'm definitely going to have to figure something out with the mister. I can do a lot of things.. but nothing handy. I really wish I could pay someone on here to set up some kind of system for my cage. I'm sure it's cake for some of you. I tried to make my own dripper, followed the instructions perfectly, and COMPLETELY screwed it up. I really wish there was a quick fix. How can there be so many chameleon owners but no products for their requirements? I've come to the conclusion that I will have to probably buy some kind of stand or table to put in the corner of my room. And then have to buy 10 drip trays because I'll have to destroy all of them myself. Haha! If only you could just buy things. I've already spent a crap ton of dough on one chameleon. Might as well pay someone $50 to put a pipe on a tray.