Reptariums?
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Elizadolots
New Member
You'll get differing views. I like mine. I suspect that having small chameleons helps. I've seen people say their veileds tear the mesh but that hasn't been an issue with my little Fischers'.
OldSkoolxReasons
New Member
I prefer the screen cages to the reptariums. Reptariums are mesh, they rip, very dark inside, and the tall one blows over outside. Plus the access isn't the best as its just a zipper instead of a full fledged door. Homemade cages are teh way to go. You can make them for less that $80 which is what it costs for a 2x2x4 cage from LLL, not even including shipping. Plus you can customize everything to your liking. The door size, drainage, misting system nozzle placement, vine attachment, and everything. There's nothing like a hand built cage. Chams just look better in them. Lol. In any case I'd go screen over a reptarium if you don't have the time to build one yourself. Good luck.
Justin
Justin
, i just wanted a cheap outside cage for a few hours a day for them. it's worth a shot then.
OldSkoolxReasons
New Member
For outside they work good because sunlight is stronger than our UV bulbs anyways. However if you get a tall cage you will need to anchor it with something outside. I had a little tree and an umbrella plant in my cage outside, with a total weight of about 50lbs of dirt and it blew over and almost got my big male ambilobe crushed. Now I have it attached with hook to the side of my garage and everything has been fine since. My reptarium is the 260 gallon one so it was really tall in the first place. I do like it now for outside time though.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
I'm one who actually prefers the reptariums.
I don't find them dark inside- with the door zipped up they can look dark inside from the outside.
I don't like the visibility from the outside. But, the material does not damage claws and snouts like normal screen so I guess there is the trade-off.
I like the zipper doors because it keeps fireflies out, and roaches in. I also like to be able to open a part of the door just large enough to get my hand in sometimes - moreso when I'm in a basilisk or gecko cage than in a chameleon cage, but still, it's nice to not have to open the entire big door and have a lizard go crawling out the cracked end opposite my hand.
Because of the visibility for viewing the lizards inside, they aren't what I would call "nice cages". But then again, if it was in my living room personally I would custom build something with a glass front and screen sides or possibly no front at all but still escape proof so nothing would get in between my eyes and the lizard.
But they are economical.
I don't find them dark inside- with the door zipped up they can look dark inside from the outside.
I don't like the visibility from the outside. But, the material does not damage claws and snouts like normal screen so I guess there is the trade-off.
I like the zipper doors because it keeps fireflies out, and roaches in. I also like to be able to open a part of the door just large enough to get my hand in sometimes - moreso when I'm in a basilisk or gecko cage than in a chameleon cage, but still, it's nice to not have to open the entire big door and have a lizard go crawling out the cracked end opposite my hand.
Because of the visibility for viewing the lizards inside, they aren't what I would call "nice cages". But then again, if it was in my living room personally I would custom build something with a glass front and screen sides or possibly no front at all but still escape proof so nothing would get in between my eyes and the lizard.
But they are economical.
Leilaskeeper
New Member
I have used mine indoors and outdoors. I prefer them for outdoor use. As previously mentioned, quite dark if used indoors. I use glass indoors. :O)
DGray
Avid Member
a compromise
I have several 100 gallon Reptariums; I like that they were cheap, large and lightweight. I dislike the zippers, which wear out and are noisy.
I find them easy to keep clean; I just cut a couple pieces of window screen to fit inside the floor and keep an extra one clean and at hand. You can easily take them outside and hose them out too.
I was lucky enough to get a type of metal rack that supports the reptariums neatly, and has room for a drainage tub below and lights and drippers above. The top of a reptarium will not support much weight.
It is very easy to walk the cages out when you want to give the monsters a little bit of sun.
They are a compromise, but not a bad one IMHO.
I have several 100 gallon Reptariums; I like that they were cheap, large and lightweight. I dislike the zippers, which wear out and are noisy.
I find them easy to keep clean; I just cut a couple pieces of window screen to fit inside the floor and keep an extra one clean and at hand. You can easily take them outside and hose them out too.
I was lucky enough to get a type of metal rack that supports the reptariums neatly, and has room for a drainage tub below and lights and drippers above. The top of a reptarium will not support much weight.
It is very easy to walk the cages out when you want to give the monsters a little bit of sun.
They are a compromise, but not a bad one IMHO.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
One tip on the zippers- if you rub a little vaseline into the zipper a couple of times a year it will keep them really slick and smooth and prevent them wearing out. I have many reptariums (dozens) that have had since 2001 and a few from before that.
