Posted By: Dancing
Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 05:25 PM
Many of us have used reptariums over the years for our gliders. I have and do still occasionally. I have made custom rept frames and custom sized reptariums using factory made covers and modifying them.
At the SGGA, one was brought to me to see if I could patch some holes in it. This cover was made out of the "new" fabric.
Difference in the new and old are very obvious to anyone if you have some of each side by side for comparison. The "old" fabric is much stiffer. The "new" fabric seems like it is decades old and is really soft and flexible.
With the "old" fabric, even if a hole is chewed in it, it is virtually impossible to grab ahold of fibers in the mesh and pull out "strings".
But the "new" fabric is a DEATH TRAP for gliders. (and I imagine most any other animal). It snags super easily and threads can be pulled that could easily cause gliders to loose body parts (finger, hands etc) or even their life. They are this way new out of the package and only get worse with each washing. It is almost like putting a glider into a pair of panty hose.
PLEASE DO NOT USE the "NEW" reptarium covers for glider housing.
If you are unsure of what type of rept cover you have, take a sewing pin and try to snag and pull threads from anywhere in the fabric. If you can, you can be sure you are risking the lives of your gliders.
The "NEW" fabric is a DEATH TRAP.
The "old" fabric repts are safe for the most part. There is always the risk of a glider chewing out of one. You also need to inspect all factory sewn seams on a regular basis as they are not sewn exceptionally well. With most though, these seams are hidden behind the poles.
The safest way to use the rept covers is to put them on inside out. You will have to get creative to zip and unzip them but it can be done (add some tabs to the pulls that will hang on the outside of the screen when it is on the frame).
We are going to work on photos and hopefully video to show the dangers of this "new" rept fabric and how to tell the difference.
This "NEW" rept screen fabric is the most dangerous thing I've seen in a glider's cage. Please, if you have the "new" fabric, find alternative housing for your gliders before a life is lost.
PLEASE CROSS POST THIS TO OTHER BOARDS. It is to important not to spread the word about these!
At the SGGA, one was brought to me to see if I could patch some holes in it. This cover was made out of the "new" fabric.
Difference in the new and old are very obvious to anyone if you have some of each side by side for comparison. The "old" fabric is much stiffer. The "new" fabric seems like it is decades old and is really soft and flexible.
With the "old" fabric, even if a hole is chewed in it, it is virtually impossible to grab ahold of fibers in the mesh and pull out "strings".
But the "new" fabric is a DEATH TRAP for gliders. (and I imagine most any other animal). It snags super easily and threads can be pulled that could easily cause gliders to loose body parts (finger, hands etc) or even their life. They are this way new out of the package and only get worse with each washing. It is almost like putting a glider into a pair of panty hose.
PLEASE DO NOT USE the "NEW" reptarium covers for glider housing.
If you are unsure of what type of rept cover you have, take a sewing pin and try to snag and pull threads from anywhere in the fabric. If you can, you can be sure you are risking the lives of your gliders.
The "NEW" fabric is a DEATH TRAP.
The "old" fabric repts are safe for the most part. There is always the risk of a glider chewing out of one. You also need to inspect all factory sewn seams on a regular basis as they are not sewn exceptionally well. With most though, these seams are hidden behind the poles.
The safest way to use the rept covers is to put them on inside out. You will have to get creative to zip and unzip them but it can be done (add some tabs to the pulls that will hang on the outside of the screen when it is on the frame).
We are going to work on photos and hopefully video to show the dangers of this "new" rept fabric and how to tell the difference.
This "NEW" rept screen fabric is the most dangerous thing I've seen in a glider's cage. Please, if you have the "new" fabric, find alternative housing for your gliders before a life is lost.
PLEASE CROSS POST THIS TO OTHER BOARDS. It is to important not to spread the word about these!