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Reptarium or Cage?

Posted By: Anonymous

Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 05:32 AM

I was thinking about making a Reptarium for the easy cleaning and portability and it is cheap to make. However, the pee would soak into the mesh. With a normal cage, the pee drips off. However, I couldn't make a 6' 3'x3' and fit it through a doorway. Not to mention it is not easy to wash. What is everyone's preference and why? I need to decide - Dad is going to start making one soon. Cage or Reptarium. Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Karin

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 02:10 PM

That is a very tough question! Some prefer rept's, and some prefer cages. Regardless, the urine and marking will begin to smell whichever one you choose, so the cleaning is the same. The only things I can think of that may make a cage "better", is the tray underneath for catching droppings and discarded food. Whereas, a rept. would not have that. It is also easier to hang things in a cage. I am sure some rept. users will come along and give you their opinions as to why they choose to use them though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Karin
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 02:28 PM

Well I don't use the Reptariums because my gliders are chewers, so thats why I like my K and D cages. But ever glider is different, some are chewers and some aren't. I know a lot of people on here have reptariums and they work fine. It just depends on your gliders. And on what you would like more yourself.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 02:58 PM

My gliders are chewers too, that's the first thing they do when I put something new in their cage. However they have never chewed at the actual reptarium. When I had Chamira I had a cage, and now I have a 260 gallon rep. I love the reptarium. I like it much more then Chamira's cage. It's so much easier to move and clean. You can hang just as much from the reps if you ask me. All you need is more creativity with the reptariums when it comes to hanging things. I think that the gliders enjoy it more too, because they can climb on it better then a cage. I have pictures of my cage at my website www.sugargliderhaven.com.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 03:02 PM

One of my main concerns with respect to reptariums is the fine mesh used because a glider whose nails are not kept properly trimmed could easily snag the nails in the mesh fabric possibly leading to injury and/or even death within a matter of a few hours as the glider stuggles to get loose, gets stressed and dehydrates. Not to mention the risk of leg fracture occurring as the glider twists/turns in an attempt to get free. So for those using or considering useing repartiums, please be sure you check your gliders' nails and trim regularly to avoid such a scenario.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 03:23 PM

Yes I guess that could happen if you didn't properly keep your gliders nails trimmed, however the reptariums are not just made of your regular ol' mesh, it's a very sturdy mesh that isn't very snaggable (is that a word?! : ) the little holes within the mesh are very refined, but anything can happen, so that's why their nails should always be trimmed!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 04:41 PM

Wow. Seems like both are equally good. My concern however is that the pee will soak into the mesh, and resulting in cleaning more often. Not to mention that there is no way for a tray at the bottom.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 05:12 PM

I have a reptarium and a cage and I think the reptarium is much easier than than cage. I put two t-shirts under the cage and use the glider kitchen's that Hope thought of. Also, their wheel is on the bottom of the cage. Every night I use a hand vaccum and suck up any spit out food pieces and poop. Then I use a clorox disinfecting wipe and wipe down the bottom and the poles and every other night I wipe the whole thing down. I also wipe their kitchen's down in between dishwashings. Every Saturday or Sunday, I take the mesh off and throw it in the washing machine and every other weekend, I put the poles in the bathtub with hot water and vinegar. It's sooo much easier to wipe down and clean than the cage is...much much easier!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 05:38 PM

Yep I use lysol disinfecting wipes too!! I clean the rods with them and the outside of the wheel. You can use puppy wee wee pads at the bottom or put a little pan at the bottom with some carefresh in it and then cover it over with a mesh screening, this way those bad little suggies won't have a field day with care fresh!! There was a post on the board where someone had found some human bed pads that fit the reptarium perfectly.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 06:18 PM

Kristal,

Will you please elaborate on the closet shelves you used? That looks like a great idea.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 08:22 PM

My 2 big concerns are a tray at the bottom of some sort (would u have to put bedding in it still?) and the pee soaking into the mesh.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 08:28 PM

You are going to have to wash either regardless of pee soaking into it. If you are using a reptarium, then you don't need a tray or bedding, just sweep it out. When you wash the mesh in the washer, it gets everything out. You just have to do that once a week. It's very simple.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 11:12 PM

I know that is must be cleaned regardless, but what I am trying to say is this: Wouldn't the smell increase with pee soaking into the mesh.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 11:13 PM

No...when you wash it, it all goes away. Especially if you wipe it down a few times a week.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 11:27 PM

I also use reptariums. With the puppy pads containing baking soda underneath the reps, odor is absorbed into the pads. This doesn't mean that the urine doesn't get on the mesh, it does. Between washes I change the pads and use [:"red"]PureAyre[/] daily (right on the floor of the rep). I launder the rep covers weekly and the toys/pouches weekly (but on a different day to avoid over scenting).

I have noticed less odor than I did with my regular wire cages, the fine mesh seems to keep the odor inside the rep (and the suggies love the way they smell), rather than letting the odor permeate the area outside the cage.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/23/04 11:49 PM

I have had my 260 gallon rep for about 3 weeks now. I absolutely love it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> I would like to eventually have all my gliders in one. The mesh is more of a plastic mesh than fabric. It doesn't seem to soak up the urine like you are talking about toxicwire. It just gets soaked up in the pee pad underneith. I have also noticed that with the rep. all the other mess stays inside too. Where as with the wire cages, you could vacuum around the cage everyday and there would still be food mess all over outside of the cage. My husband put little eye hooks all over on the pipe of my rep for me to hang things, so that hasn't been much of a problem. The gliders love it and it is sooo huge... for the same cost you could only get about half the cage by making a wire one yourself.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 12:49 AM

Could I make a 6' and 3'x3' less that if I bought one? I am thinking about making one instead of a cage.Wait - what do u use as a door?!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 12:59 AM

You have to buy the mesh. You can get the 260 gallon on for about $35. The poles would be a bout $10-15. On the mesh, there is one whole side that is a door with a zipper.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 05:37 AM

Are there any detailed posts about making a 260 gallon reptarium?
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 02:42 PM

[:"blue"]This is the best post I have seen on directions to making your own reptarium <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

http://www.sugarglider.net/ubbthreads/sh...p;page=0#234744 [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 05:14 PM

Thanks everyone for the help. Now if I can just find a breeder who will sell to me.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 05:17 PM

Did you decide on a cage or a rep?? I'm assuming a rep...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 06:52 PM

A Reptarium, yes.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptarium or Cage? - 06/24/04 06:59 PM

cool
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