ESU cages pure junk
- Thread starter Fate X
- Start date
Prism Chameleons
Established Member
Wow... only 4 months? Where do you live? I was wondering if you live near the ocean air, because that will definitely increase rusting in metals. I would definitely write them, show them a photo, and if you have a record of when you purchased it, show that as well. Your cages shouldn't be rusting at all, let alone in 4 months time.
I have had some Fresh Air Habitats and I haven't had any problem with rusting at all (have had them longer than a year), however, they are a HUGE pain to clean (no lower door to open and the inability to remove the flooring for deep cleaning). I no longer purchase them for this reason.
Talk to ESU and perhaps they will do something about this problem...
I have had some Fresh Air Habitats and I haven't had any problem with rusting at all (have had them longer than a year), however, they are a HUGE pain to clean (no lower door to open and the inability to remove the flooring for deep cleaning). I no longer purchase them for this reason.
Talk to ESU and perhaps they will do something about this problem...
lowendfrequency
New Member
I've been using ESU cages for over a year. The only part that's ever rusted was the screws. Everything else is coated aluminium.
Will Hayward
New Member
Same. The screws and hinges.lowendfrequency said:
Prism Chameleons
Established Member
Hey... I just discovered that if you remove the bottom side screw towards the front of the cage on both sides and remove the bolt on the front, the bottom will swing out like other cages with this feature. MUCH easier for cleaning, especially if you have your chameleons outside and can take a spray hose to the floor of your cage.
I'm always tinkering to make things more efficient if I can... At least those cages won't go to waste now.
I'm always tinkering to make things more efficient if I can... At least those cages won't go to waste now.
Fate X
New Member
many of the bottom screws are rusted along with areas of screen towards the bottom and sides also , i will be putting pics here so you can see what i mean.and they are only 4 months old ,they were brand new when i got them from reptile direct.
i live at Reading, Pennsylvania.
the screen is steel ,must be to be rusting out
i live at Reading, Pennsylvania.
the screen is steel ,must be to be rusting out
Will Hayward
New Member
maybe you got rip off ones. 
Eric Adrignola
Avid Member
I think it could be because of cheap materials. I cannot believe how cheap those ESU cages are. I made my 2x2x3' aluminum cages for ~$40 each, but I did not get volume discounts on raw materials.
I sold them at a reptile show last year, and was mocked by the vendors there, for buuilding my own cages - they don't understand the idea of a "hobby", I guess...
They buy the largest ESU cages for $20 or less in volume. They must not be composed of the finest quality "ingredients" to sell so cheaply.
I had one of my cages outside for over a year, winter and summer. I broke it down to use as a demo cage at a reptile show. I set it up next to one that was for sale, and I could not tell the difference between the two. I was impressed.
If the screen's rusted, there's not much you can do. If the hinges are rusting, replace them with brass, or something less prone to corrosion. Brass will react to aluminum, but less so than steel reacting to the elements!
You can get nice sheet metal screws that won't rust too. I bought the cheapest ones at home depot, and they don't rust.
I sold them at a reptile show last year, and was mocked by the vendors there, for buuilding my own cages - they don't understand the idea of a "hobby", I guess...
They buy the largest ESU cages for $20 or less in volume. They must not be composed of the finest quality "ingredients" to sell so cheaply.
I had one of my cages outside for over a year, winter and summer. I broke it down to use as a demo cage at a reptile show. I set it up next to one that was for sale, and I could not tell the difference between the two. I was impressed.
If the screen's rusted, there's not much you can do. If the hinges are rusting, replace them with brass, or something less prone to corrosion. Brass will react to aluminum, but less so than steel reacting to the elements!
You can get nice sheet metal screws that won't rust too. I bought the cheapest ones at home depot, and they don't rust.
Will Hayward
New Member
ChameleonsTree
New Member
does anyone know a wholesaler of the aluminum cages so i can get them cheapenough to make a profit selling them at a show
Will Hayward
New Member
Its the bottom front. The horozontal part beneath the door.zinc99 said:
Like the ones shown here: http://www.bluebeastreptile.com/cages.htm
Fate X
New Member
you can get esu 30" by 30" by 18" for 75$ delivered from reptile direct but i wouldnt because you could spend a extra 30 $ and get these other cages that are all aluminum i dont know the name of the place its on my fav list .
and as far as the esu cages the screen should be aluminum not steel and theres a way to fix them but its gonna take a lot of time and patience it requires re-screening all the frames with aluminum screen for which i would need aluminum screen and spline and a spline tool. each cage has 7 screen frames ,so i am planning on re- building them with upgraded parts like those brass hinges and rust proof screws n aluminum screen.
i still think esu cages r junk though, they should use aluminum like everyone else.
and as far as the esu cages the screen should be aluminum not steel and theres a way to fix them but its gonna take a lot of time and patience it requires re-screening all the frames with aluminum screen for which i would need aluminum screen and spline and a spline tool. each cage has 7 screen frames ,so i am planning on re- building them with upgraded parts like those brass hinges and rust proof screws n aluminum screen.
i still think esu cages r junk though, they should use aluminum like everyone else.
I definitely prefer a custom cage.
Why I prefer non esu screened cages:
I do like the esu fresh air cages more than the reptariums. If I ever find myself in the situation where I need a new cage immediately , I would probably purchase a small esu cage again as a temporary solution.
Why I prefer non esu screened cages:
- custom sizes - many different sizes are available, including custom sizes
- bottom door - this addition makes cleaning much easier
- material options - some companies such as cages.net offers screen material options.
- cage side options - some companies such as bluebeastreptile.com gives you the option of a partially screened cage.
- better quality - this can vary, but usually these cages are of a higher quality when compared to the esu cages.
I do like the esu fresh air cages more than the reptariums. If I ever find myself in the situation where I need a new cage immediately , I would probably purchase a small esu cage again as a temporary solution.
Fate X
New Member
i happen to beleive the mesh on these esu cages is made of coated steel for the simple fact that i have alot of rusting around where the mist nozzles are.
i am going to have to seal around where i cut the holes for the mist nozzles with aquarium sealer because now there is starting to be too much rust if you look at some pics i took you can see what im talking about.
i was with the belief that aluminum will not rust.
i am going to have to seal around where i cut the holes for the mist nozzles with aquarium sealer because now there is starting to be too much rust if you look at some pics i took you can see what im talking about.
i was with the belief that aluminum will not rust.
