skyedog
Established Member
I use both lll cages and reptariums. The lll cages are much easier to use and they are a lot sturdier. Reptariums have their advantages and disadvantages.
Reptariums can be a bit harder to look through. I have heard some people say it can give the chameleon a somewhat larger sense of security, but I haven't found that to be the case with mine. LLL screen cages are easy to look through and maintain and have a better visibility to the chameleon.
As far as cleaning goes, I found both to be pretty easy to clean, but LLL cages are easier overall. The mesh from the reptarium can be taken off the pvc frame and thrown into the washing machine. But if you have things like vines/branches attached to the side of the mesh it can be a little more difficult.
I used a 5.0 uvb for a while on the reptarium with no ill effects. Now that I'm using a 260gal reptarium I did bump up to a 10.0. The LLL cages I use 5.0. But like summoner12 said light doesn't pass through the reptarium nearly as well as a LLL cage.
One of the drawbacks to a reptarium obviously is the zipper. I've only had one problem with a zipper with the reptariums, but it was easily fixed. But reptariums are also a lot flimsier than a screen cage so I've noticed many times when unzipping the mesh the entire cage sways back and forth. I really don't like that. The LLL cages are sturdier and I haven't noticed a problem with that.
I have had a case where free ranged crickets can eventually chew through the reptarium mesh leaving a small hole. The mesh was sewn closed, but it was still a pain. The LLL cage has never been a problem.
One last thing I noticed with reptariums was if the heating light got too close to the mesh the mesh became discolored, and one of the ones I had became a little brittle I guess you can say. The LLL ones I never experienced that.
Obviously this is just my opinion. I just wanted to try to help a bit with a few things I've noticed using both.
Reptariums can be a bit harder to look through. I have heard some people say it can give the chameleon a somewhat larger sense of security, but I haven't found that to be the case with mine. LLL screen cages are easy to look through and maintain and have a better visibility to the chameleon.
As far as cleaning goes, I found both to be pretty easy to clean, but LLL cages are easier overall. The mesh from the reptarium can be taken off the pvc frame and thrown into the washing machine. But if you have things like vines/branches attached to the side of the mesh it can be a little more difficult.
I used a 5.0 uvb for a while on the reptarium with no ill effects. Now that I'm using a 260gal reptarium I did bump up to a 10.0. The LLL cages I use 5.0. But like summoner12 said light doesn't pass through the reptarium nearly as well as a LLL cage.
One of the drawbacks to a reptarium obviously is the zipper. I've only had one problem with a zipper with the reptariums, but it was easily fixed. But reptariums are also a lot flimsier than a screen cage so I've noticed many times when unzipping the mesh the entire cage sways back and forth. I really don't like that. The LLL cages are sturdier and I haven't noticed a problem with that.
I have had a case where free ranged crickets can eventually chew through the reptarium mesh leaving a small hole. The mesh was sewn closed, but it was still a pain. The LLL cage has never been a problem.
One last thing I noticed with reptariums was if the heating light got too close to the mesh the mesh became discolored, and one of the ones I had became a little brittle I guess you can say. The LLL ones I never experienced that.
Obviously this is just my opinion. I just wanted to try to help a bit with a few things I've noticed using both.
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