Few questions on 260 gallon reptarium

[Libren470]

Im wondering how effective and good these are for chameleons??
I live in Buffalo, NY where we get some horrid winters.
I have a humidifier, electric heater and four light sources.
So is this cage recommended for me?
Before i go all out buying a new cage, just wanna make sure its the perm right one. If anyone knows another large cage which would be better, please notify me, Thanks!!!

 

[stolbert89]

If I'm right in thinking it is the kind that zips up then I wouldn't get them. I have one and in my opinion they aren't the best. They would be great for having a cage outside to let him in for a while or have a smaller one to transport him to the vet in but that's it. The zipping can be loud and move the entire cage when zipping it up and unzipping it which in turn can scare the chameleon. Also it is kind of dark in there even with the lights on compared to one with aluminum screen. It is tempting to buy because the price is low but I would recommend building a large one yourself if you could. Just my opinion

 

[DEVO]

I would not recommend a 260 reptarium or a 260 flexarium,they are flimsy cages,you have to bye the cage and tray separately witch brings the price up and in my opinion they are a bad investment,i would suggest a all aluminum cage from FL CHAMS(FLCHAMS.COM)for exemple,you can order a 24x24x48 all aluminum cage for 115$ + 25$ shipping and they are very good quality cages.

 

[cambech]

DIY Cages has a 24" x 24" x 48" cage for 99.00 including shipping.
I had a couple of reptariums...the mesh gave out after a year or so where i had the lights sitting on the top. They couldn't withstand exposure to prolonged heat i guess. And the zipper's are a real B!@#$ to keep working as well.

 

[DEVO]

Ho yes here is some extra info,humidity related subjects can be confusing on this forum because in most cases it really depends on where you live,you could have a empty cage and still have 80% humidity all day if you live in Texas.Florida,texas and other coastal areas of the southest u.s.a are classified as humid subtropical climate areas same as africa,where relative humidity average 90% during the day and 60% at night(fungus,moulds and bacterias)from over-humidity in those areas are a common problem,but in north america and canada winter time is cold and humidity low,on top of that we use electrical heating that causes humidity to drop drastically thats why you cant just rely on misting and plants to provide chameleon humidity requirements,you will need to use a humidifier during wintertime and probably most of the year,its better to create humid and dryer cycles 80-100%during the day depending on the chameleon specie and dont use the humidifier at night,let the cage dry out to prevant moulds and fungus.Ho yes what type of lighting system do you have,chameleons need specific uvb lights...........!

 

[Libren470]

Oh okay...

alright thanks for all your responses. I was def unsure about that kind of cage and yes it is tempting since the price is so low and seems to give the chameleon so much room to roam. Yeah i can def see why an aluminum cage would be more beneficial now. I really appreciate the links where to buy these cages..and I have thought about building a cage of my own (have carpentry experience) but trying to fit the time into building it is the problem, plus its already getting kinda chilly out and always wet. Thanks yall!!

 

[Libren470]

Also wondering..

It shows on LLLReptile.com that:

24 x 24 x 48 inch Aluminum Screen Cage
size: 24 x 24 x 48"

ONLY $79.00 each

Does anyone know is this cage in particular is good quality because the price seems low and any other site prices them at $100+?

Is Zoo Med a good site to buy off of?

Thank you

 

[Lizardlover]

I would not recommend a 260 reptarium or a 260 flexarium,they are flimsy cages,you have to bye the cage and tray separately witch brings the price up and in my opinion they are a bad investment,i would suggest a all aluminum cage from FL CHAMS(FLCHAMS.COM)for exemple,you can order a 24x24x48 all aluminum cage for 115$ + 25$ shipping and they are very good quality cages.

Is that so? Because I have two reptariums that I use OUTSIDE that I have been using for two years outside. I would definitely recommend them.

 

[Gensen]

Happy people...

It shows on LLLReptile.com that:

24 x 24 x 48 inch Aluminum Screen Cage
size: 24 x 24 x 48"

ONLY $79.00 each

Does anyone know is this cage in particular is good quality because the price seems low and any other site prices them at $100+?

Is Zoo Med a good site to buy off of?

Thank you

I have always hear people on here say they are very happy with their LLLReptile Cages... I cannot recall seeing any negative posts so I think you would be good!

 

[DEVO]

Is that so? Because I have two reptariums that I use OUTSIDE that I have been using for two years outside. I would definitely recommend them.

Haaa come on,its just my personal opinion but YES IT ISSSSS SO!!!!Why dont you go and bye a 3rd one and when the first one starts falling apart maybe youll understand that you got screwed 3 times.Hey its simple compare the same size cages(29x29x48 ZIPPERtariums)+ the soft tray will cost you 90-95$$ or for the same price you can bye a serious all aluminum screen cage that will definitely outlast a ZIPPERtarium.

 

[jessica]

Haaa come on,its just my personal opinion but YES IT ISSSSS SO!!!!Why dont you go and bye a 3rd one and when the first one starts falling apart maybe youll understand that you got screwed 3 times.Hey its simple compare the same size cages(29x29x48 ZIPPERtariums)+ the soft tray will cost you 90-95$$ or for the same price you can bye a serious all aluminum screen cage that will definitely outlast a ZIPPERtarium.

I actually use repatarium for my CB Melleri and I really like the soft mesh instead of aluminum screen. I keep the zipper lubed with vaseline and it works perfect.

As for the soft trays I don't use them, just got creative and made a drainage pan myself for 5$.

But I guess that's why they call it preference right?

 

[DEVO]

I actually use repatarium for my CB Melleri and I really like the soft mesh instead of aluminum screen. I keep the zipper lubed with vaseline and it works perfect.

As for the soft trays I don't use them, just got creative and made a drainage pan myself for 5$.

But I guess that's why they call it preference right?

Jessica you are absolutely right and i have to agree with you the mesh is probably the best i have ever seen,its my 32nd post but ive been a chameleon keeper for over 15 years and i also like the large species of chameleons like the trioceros melleri.Today i prefer to build all my cages my self it gives me more options,i personally owned a exoterra flexarium 260 as a quarantine cage and i think the 260 are the only cages at that price range that will give you a 30x30x72 cage frame,for drainage i built a 30x30x24 wooden frame,punch holes in the tray and placed a plastic container at the bottom,i also had to built a small rack on top of the cage to place all the equipment(lights,driper..)because the cage was sagging in and stretching under all that weight,the setup was very good and i did lubed the zipper but what appened in my case,after a few months the stitchs of the zipper started to get caught from time to time when i would open and close the cage,eventually making a big hole in the upper left corner.The 260 was not a total waste,i built an other wooden cage and reused the 260 nylon mesh on it.So it is not a matter of preference in my case,it just wouldn t be right of me to recommend those types of cages to anyone.

 

[jessica]

Jessica you are absolutely right and i have to agree with you the mesh is probably the best i have ever seen,its my 32nd post but ive been a chameleon keeper for over 15 years and i also like the large species of chameleons like the trioceros melleri.Today i prefer to build all my cages my self it gives me more options,i personally owned a exoterra flexarium 260 as a quarantine cage and i think the 260 are the only cages at that price range that will give you a 30x30x72 cage frame,for drainage i built a 30x30x24 wooden frame,punch holes in the tray and placed a plastic container at the bottom,i also had to built a small rack on top of the cage to place all the equipment(lights,driper..)because the cage was sagging in and stretching under all that weight,the setup was very good and i did lubed the zipper but what appened in my case,after a few months the stitchs of the zipper started to get caught from time to time when i would open and close the cage,eventually making a big hole in the upper left corner.The 260 was not a total waste,i built an other wooden cage and reused the 260 nylon mesh on it.So it is not a matter of preference in my case,it just wouldn t be right of me to recommend those types of cages to anyone.

I could see how the stitching could cause a problem. Honestly I use the 65 gallons until my guys are too big for them then I build my own too, this way my chameleons demands are met.

I do feel that they can make for an inexpensive cage for a person needing a larger size cage that they can't or don't have time to build one.

 

[pssh]

I like my reptarium. I've been using the same one for 9 years and it's still in great condition. No sagging, stuck zippers, etc. It does have a hole, but that was my fault. I tried to make a small hole for a dripped tube, but I failed and made a bigger hole than I had intended...

 

[stolbert89]

I agree, they do have their ups. However, in the long run they are not as good as an aluminum. They are also good to use for transporting to the vet if you get the smaller ones. I would think that they would be good for using outside but I have heard that in a hotter climate they can get to hot inside because of the dark black mesh, just what I've heard. It is still so much easier to just open a latch rather than unzip the cage and at the same time shaking the entire cage. Just depends on the person I guess

 

[ataraxia]

i recommend them. light weight and super cheap. i bought a 260 gallon (3x3x6) for 70.00 bux at a reptile show. i wouldnt recommend sitting lights on them. i hang my lights above them and have had no problems.