Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is everyone's thoughts on these enclosures?
I think they're great! They're lightweight and definitely offer a bigger 'bang for your buck' than aluminum screen enclosures, meaning you get a bigger enclosure for your money.
I keep my chameleons outside as much as possible. Right now, all my chameleons are outside 7/24. When winter rolls around, I have to move my cages inside at night, and it's definitely a lot easier to move a lightweight reptarium than a heavy screen cage.
Yes, I know most people don't like the zipper. I don't like it myself, but I really only open the cage to feed and clean, so it's not that big an issues.
Any opinions?
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Victor Gomez-

Now this is just my opinion. I think they are junk, and only useful for temporary housing. One the zipper is a pain in the ass, two crickets eat through the screen like butter, if you don't cup feed you will have problems, three if they are out side the sun takes it toll on the screen, four you can not see through the screen that great, chameleons are mostly for looks and if you can't get a good look at them then what's the point!, five no hard bottom just plastic bags you put around them to hold in or collect things like water and dirt.

If I was going to buy a cage I would buy an aluminum all screen cage, I have 6 of them as we speak for indoors and will have 8 outside cages very soon. The prices on eBay you can't beat, if you need bulk amounts of the cages check out www.reptilehavenonline.com Once again this is my opinion and other may have different a one! Hope this helps!
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers

John;
I agree and disagree on your points. I will address:
One: I agree the zipper can be a pain, but it suits my purposes. I access the enclosures about twice a day, once to feed, the second to clean up. Keep this second point in mind.
Two: I agree that crickets can eat through the mesh, but it's important not to leave crickets in your cage overnight. By policing the enclosures nightly for excess crickets and messes, you are addressing this point and, more importantly, ensuring the crickets aren't left overnight with your cham to cause harm.
Three: I've had reptariums outside for over two years with no sun damage. The mesh they used to use was garbage, but this new stuff is excellent. When it comes to it, replacing the mesh is a lot cheaper than replacing the screen on an aluminum cage.
Four: You can see through the mesh just fine if you're using an overhead light. Yes, you can't see too well through the mesh when you have them outside in sunlight, but IMO this affords them a certain level of privacy.
Five: Not having a hard bottom is great for me. When I'm watering outside, I don't have to worry about excess water collecting on the bottom of the cage. If you need to, you can place a tub underneath the enclosure to collect excess water.
I own both aluminum screen cages and reptariums. I will agree with you that an all screen cage is an excellent enclosure. But for my purposes, you can't beat the reptariums. Especially if you're moving the cage outside to take advantage of natural sunlight. You're much more likely to do so if your cage doesn't weigh a ton...
One other thing to address is cleaning the cage itself. You just can't beat the reptariums for ease of cleaning. You can turn the mesh inside-out and spray it down, or toss it in the washer. Can't do that with an aluminum screen cage.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Okay I have both screen cages and a reptarium. The reptarium is used only for temp housing while I am cleaning the screened ones.

My question is what will you do when the zipper breaks (repeated washing in the machines will help this along).

Another thing is this if you find it hard to see in at times imagine what the cham sees when it looks out.

This is just my opinion and you can take it for what it's worth, but I will not be buying another reptarium when this one breaks AGAIN.
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Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Kermit and Moe)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Velvet)

My question is what will you do when the zipper breaks (repeated washing in the machines will help this along).
If the zipper breaks, you can either try to fix it, or simply purchase a new mesh. They're really not that expensive.
However, I've purchased some VERY used aluminum screen cages, meaning the screening had some rips, tears, etc. Replacing the screen itself was difficult if not impossible, and expensive.

Another thing is this if you find it hard to see in at times imagine what the cham sees when it looks out.
Call me strange, but I've zipped myself inside a 175 reptarium, just to see what my chams were seeing. My opinion was that the mesh allowed a good level of privacy for them.

This is just my opinion and you can take it for what it's worth, but I will not be buying another reptarium when this one breaks AGAIN.
I've noticed that there are plenty of people on this forum that do NOT like reptariums, which is fine. The 175 gallon reptariums are light enough where you can move them outside for natural sunlight without much effort. Try doing that with a similiar sized aluminum screen cage. Reptariums work fine for me, but I seem to be the exception.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Hey Victor, I would have to agree with you. I also have a 175 gallon reptarium and I have had no problems with it. It is just like any other cage it is going to have it's pros and cons.

The biggest 'pro' is that you can pick up a 175 reptarium from LLL Reptile for $72.99. How's that for 'bang for your buck'?!
Put a $75 aluminum screen enclosure next to a 175 reptarium. Which one do you think your chameleon will be happier in?
Just my opinion.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Hi Victor:

I have to agree with most of what has been said here, positive and negative, about Reptariums. They do rip, the zipper is a nightmare, the crickets do chew through them and the sun and elements do take a toll on the covers. Also they do block a lot more UVB than screen cages do. I agree that the newer ones seem to be tougher and you can get a LOT more space for your chameleon in a Reptarium than you could in a screen cage when it comes to money.

My opinion is that Reptariums are great. No matter all the negatives they might have, the positive results for me far outweight the negative. Both screen cages and Reptariums can be tough on chameleons nails but inside a 175 or 260 gallon reptarium you can fit a lot more branches and tall plants than in a regular 4x2x2 screen cage which leads to more security. The animals feel in a more private environment in most cases due to the denser foliage and large amt. of branches. The screen bottom makes it perfect for watering and cleaning outside. Reptariums have worked wonders for me when acclimating WC panthers (especially pink panthers) and I will not hesitate to continue to use them. Now, this doesn't mean that I will try to convince others to use the Reptariums because I do own quite a few screen cages myself and I can't complain one bit about them.
I heard that Apogee stopped making the Reptariums so if you or anyone else know who is the new manufacturer, could you please let me know?

Thanks,
Ivan
Link

i personally do like them ... my veiled seems very happy with it

the only issure i have has in about 2 years is it is hard to instal a dripper system, which led to my veiled recently getting dehydrated - now he is doing much bettr, i spray him 4 times a day, and his eye is getting back to normal (i found i way to insure that if he wants a drink he can get it)
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Jason, Ichiro, Mika & Toki

razior_@hotmail.com

Hi Ivan - just a quick note on your site - beautiful animals, cool names, great pix!

lele

Thanks. Out of curiosity, any of the guys pictured is your favorite? We are doing kind of an internal poll on who is the people's favorite.

Take care,
Ivan
Link

Well, let's see...I think I would have to pick Leviathan. His colors are exquisite with much diversity but doesn't "blind" you or be "overdone" LOL! I tend to prefer the cooler colors of blues and purples rather than the hot orange and reds. Just my thing

But they are all lovely and you have done a nice job with the layout and the little "profile" you give each one - it shows you care

lele

Thanks. Out of curiosity, any of the guys pictured is your favorite? We are doing kind of an internal poll on who is the people's favorite.
>>
>>Take care,
>>Ivan
>>Link

I'd have to vote for Anubis. That red is incredible!

Greg

Like I said that is just my opinion. If you like them and they work for you then you should go with what works.
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Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Kermit and Moe)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Velvet)

I like them because:

A.) They are cheap
B.) They are soft and easy on the cham's nails
C.) They are light weight and easy to take out side