Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I am new to Rhacs, was just wondering about the suitability of Reptarium cages for Cresteds. I live in Washington State, so I can probably manage the humidity without too much trouble. My main questions are, do Cresties mind the screen mesh for climbing on, and do crix chew their way out over time as I have heard? Would a 20 Tall or 29 gal be a better way to go?

Thanks in advance, any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Chris

Hello Fellow Washingtonian! I would suggest a regular glass aquarium as opposed to a Reptarium for Cresteds. Glass is far more suitable for Cresty climbin and you don't have to worry about the crickets making holes in it. The all screen cages just dry out too fast and will eventually wear out. Just my two cents though, others opinions may vary. Best of luck.
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KofSeattle
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Here lizard lizard.........

i wouldn't use them for nocturnal species.
It is some what hard to see through the cage they are best for diurnal species that you need to move there cage outside during warm weather for sunlight and things like that.

i have two and have never had crickets chew through them in 2 yrs.

i agree, glass is the way to go, i have used it for all of my cresteds.

(off topic) i never really believed anyone that crickets would chew out of the reptariums, when i finally built my own chameleon cages a couple years ago, and moved my chams from the reptariums i had into their new enclosures, there were holes EVERYWHERE! it was insane.

For my Cresteds I use a simple glass tank with a screen top and a fluorescent plant grow lamp for the live ficus and scheffelera. I use 30 Gallon tanks for my adults, and a 10 gallon tank to raise the babies.

Im from the other side of the fence . I use screen cages and much prefer them .I mist twice a day with a auto-mister and then let the cage dry out in between.

I think that is a much more natural way ..in nature there is no such thing as a average humidity .It rains..it dries out. I also have no trouble with mold or musty smells.

Our resident expert Anthony C doesnt feel humidity is even a concern for cresteds and I tend to agree from my more limited experence with them.

In the daytime screen isnt the best for veiwing but at night with the red lights on its just fine.

Crickets never seem to last more than a minute in my cages so hole chewing at this point hasnt been seen.The little suckers will chomp anything so I can belive they will ,I just havent found it to be a problem.

The biggest reason I use screen however is I hate the balancing act of moving heavy glass tanks around for cleaning.My screen cages are light weight,My climbing sticks are all anchored , the plants are plastic and fastened down and I just carry them out and hit them with a power wash in the driveway.Instant clean.

Considering they are being kept sucessfully in tanks, screens and plastic tubs with nothing but egg cartons Ild have to say when it comes to cresteds its more a case of what makes you happy..They seem to thrive in all cases.

But my votes for screen

Thanks for all the feedback...sounds as though I could probably go either way on this. I figured the Reptarium would be light enough to be able to hang from the ceiling since shelf space is an issue for me. Still undecided, but when it comes time to acquire the beast I guess I'll decide then.

Chris