BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Ok, let me start by sayign I am not looking for info about the company at all. I can use faunaclassifieds BOI for that.

What I am looking for is for members that use these cages to please give me your thoughts on them. I am getting tired of regular tanks with screen tops that I have to constantly take on and off or even the ones that have the build in sliding screen tops.

I have been considering the showcasecages.com cages but dont want to spend over $300 for each cage! So then I noticed quite a few of the members are now using these cages and I LOVE the price of them. But I also know the old saying, "you get what you pay for" is true many of the times.

So....
How is the quality of the cages?
Have you had any problems with the cages such as falling apart? Sides bowing? etc.
Do you feel they are worth the money?
How does the acrylic hold up to Bluey toe nails?

Anything else you you want to add would be greatly appreciated. I do know that the screen tops are sold seperately and I am fine with that. How is the quality of their screen tops?

Thanks alot

Have one. Love it!

The back and sides are actually one solid piece of acrylic. The front panels are securely glued in place. I haven't had it very long, so I can't speak on whether it bows over time. I don't see why it would...unless it was exposed to extreme heat...?

The opaque acrylic is hard and rigid. It was a huge chore to drill through it to mount a fluorescent light inside the cage. The bottom of the cage is clear acrylic. I scratched that up a little bit by putting bricks inside the enclosure and scooting them around, but I don't think it's in any danger from the skink's nails.

A huge plus is that it's light. Ever heard the phrase "90lb weakling"? I'm even worse off than that, but I can comfortably pick up the enclosure. I could hardly pick up a glass 30 breeder.

I have one complaint -- the front lip that holds in the substrate has a rough edge, and there is a gap between the lip and the door. Once my skink learned that this is the way out, he stuck his nose in there until he eventually scuffed up his nose and tore a scale. I placed weather stripping in the gap, and he hasn't gotten any more injuries (although he still makes escape attempts every day).

I bought one of their screen tops. It's fine. There could be cheaper options that would also do the job. The top is all metal, and a little warped, but still sturdy. Watch for sharp metal corners. I don't place lights directly on it, but I wouldn't be afraid to. "Screen" is a little misleading, because it's not like the fly screen you usually see -- it's 1/4" mesh. Maybe in theory these larger gaps would let more UV through, if a strip light is on top...?

The tank is a quality product. I'd recommend it, and I'd get more myself were I to get more critters.

One odd note: I emailed them to get a quote on shipping, and then when I called to place the order, the lady on the phone said that they don't ship these because the glass doors might break. She had to look up my email to see that I did indeed get a shipping quote from the owner before she put the order through. Shipping was $45 from TN to NJ (reasonable). You also need to specifically ask them to email you the UPS tracking number when it ships.

Pictures:

Mind the gap: here's my horrible job of cutting weather stripping length-wise so it would fit.


DIY screen top: I have no complaints, but watch those corners.


Behind the scenes: view of the glued pieces from the inside.

Hijinks wrote:One odd note: I emailed them to get a quote on shipping, and then when I called to place the order, the lady on the phone said that they don't ship these because the glass doors might break. She had to look up my email to see that I did indeed get a shipping quote from the owner before she put the order through. Shipping was $45 from TN to NJ (reasonable). You also need to specifically ask them to email you the UPS tracking number when it ships.

I too emailed them for a shipping quote and they told me $30 (TN to IN) which I was really happy with. Thats odd that they questioned it at checkout.

THanks for the info though. I pretty much have my mind already made up and will probably get these cages.

THanks again

I looked at Glascages, but they don't ship to Canada -.-' So now I'm looking into Boaphile Plastics, and they look pretty good. Have fun with your new cages though

I have a 20 gallon tank that is the exact enclosure but I got it from Big Apple Pet Supply website. It's a nice piece of furniture. I no longer use mine as I upgraded to a larger tank for my bluey.

Thanks for your input. I was going to place an order for a couple this week, but I have found a Kei for sale that I might get instead. So I may put the cages off until next paycheck.

I have 4 of their sliding glass fronts and love them. I also have one of their new grey speckled ones with sliding glass front doors. I've had the speckled one for about a year (the glass ones longer) and like that one the most. It's lighter then the glass ones and you don't have to put up any senery. I love the sliding glass fronts especially for my keis and indo. They do not enjoy being picked up from above.

I almost ordered one but I got a great deal from Dixie Diana. It was well worth the Trip.

kvega92 wrote:I almost ordered one but I got a great deal from Dixie Diana. It was well worth the Trip.

About how long did it take you to get to Dixie Diana's? I was thinking of taking the trip. I wonder if she sells the stands or you have to buy the tank and the stand comes with it...

with these cages, do both front pieces slide open, or only one side?

Hijinks wrote: Ever heard the phrase "90lb weakling"? I'm even worse off than that, but I can comfortably pick up the enclosure. I could hardly pick up a glass 30 breeder.

So you can't lug 55g tanks up three flights of stairs by yourself?!?!

How do you move stuff around??

haha

Not everyone is a strapping eagle scout like yourself!

Not everyone is a rugged strapping eagle scout like yourself!