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Steven marshall
does not fit properly
Reviewed in Canada on 14 July 2020Verified Purchase
does not fit properly
Reviewed in Canada on 14 July 2020
the glass on one side is a millimeter too small , so when my snake pushes against it it pops out. what a complete waste of money. once my snake escaped
Reviewed in Canada on 14 July 2020
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SK
Compared to Exo-Terra....
Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2019Verified Purchase
Compared to Exo-Terra....
Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2019
I typically purchase Exo-Terra brand whenever I need this style of terrarium (though I do own other brands), but I was recently in the market for a 24x18 by 18” tall tank and decided to give Repti-Zoo a try. I’ll be building a 5 or 6 foot terrarium later this year and since Repti-Zoo and Carolina Custom Cages are the only two well known companies that sell the larger units, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get a feel for Repti-Zoo’s terrariums before investing in a big tank– especially since I have not had good luck with their electronic equipment (every Repti-Zoo thermometer and hygrometer I’ve received has been defective). Below are some thoughts regarding this terrarium versus what Exo-Terra has to offer:Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2019
Screen Top:
Reptizoo’s mesh is not as finely woven as Exo-Terra’s so 1) less UVB is filtered out and 2) Zilla spring clips are easier to install. Because Reptizoo’s mesh is strong, the spring hooks also don’t distort the screen so we didn’t have to resort to using back boards underneath the hooks to prevent the screen from tearing out (which we have to do with Exo-Terra). Their top is one long open piece opposed to the Exo-Terra which divides theirs into 4 quadrants so there is more flexibility in terms of lighting with the Reptizoo. Double mini-dome fixtures barely fit this size of Exo-Terra unless ran diagonally and canopy lights don’t sit flat due to the cross bars- we add bands along the bottom of the fixtures to keep them from rocking. Reptizoo’s one weakness is that they require you to leave a gap of one centimeter between the frame and light fixture due to a heat resistance issue with their plastic frame which Exo-Terra does not appear to have. Also, the outer frame is quite wide on the Reptizoo which prevents using a Slimline High-Output UVB fixture next to a mini-dome lamp for heat; both are extremely common lamps in the US and should be as close together as possible for optimal vitamin D synthesis. The smallest Slimline (a 14” fixture with a 12” bulb) combined with a 5.5” mini-dome measures 19.5” which is 1/4” too long to run the two end to end– 1” when the mandated gap is calculated in.
Wire Management:
Exo-Terra’s background has 2 channels cut into the back for wiring (Reptizoo does not), but there are reports that reptiles have been trapped in them resulting in injuries and death and feeder insects hide there, too.
Reptizoo has a prominent grommet on the right side of the tank allowing you to run wires through the side rather than from the top or back, but I personally feel that cords hanging off the side of a tank (as well as the grommet itself) detracts from the looks of the terrarium.
Both Reptizoo and Exo-Terra incorporated wire management systems in their tops, also. Reptizoo uses 6 semicircular clips (1 in the rear left-hand corner, 2 in the back on the left side, 1 in the rear right-hand corner, and 2 in the back on the right side) that slide in, but they are only useful for very thin wire. There is a channel that is cut along the backside of the clip that the wire rides in but, if you use a thermostat, you must cut the notch deeper so the cord fits. Thermostats are extremely common so I was surprised that the Reptizoo design could not accommodate one out of the box. In addition, the slides pop off easily- and unexpectedly. So, although the idea was good, the execution falls short. Exo-Terra, on the other hand, relies on a pair of sliding bars (one on either side along the back) that cover a series of holes for the wires and you open up one or more of the spaces by sliding the bar back and forth. The openings fit all sizes of wires that I have used to date and you can block all of the holes if desired.
Ventilation:
Before purchasing this unit, I asked if there was a model available that did NOT have the mesh openings on both sides of tank but Reptizoo NEVER responded. Although the 4 3/16” openings provide cross ventilation, it causes the relative humidity (RH) to plummet if you don’t live in a humid environment. Humidity is critical for proper shedding and health so this is a large issue. We replaced these panels with acrylic sheeting in order to keep the RH above 40. Exo-Terra’s has a multitude of small holes drilled along the frame directly below the doors (they are off centered to prevent pinheads, etc. from escaping) which provides adequate ventilation while maintaining humidity levels.
Bottom:
Both brands incorporate feet into their molded stands, ensuring adequate ventilation for a UTH, but Exo-Terra’s feet are shorter, providing minimal clearance- we have to add shims to avoid pinching the UTH’s cord. Reptizoo, on the other, provides plenty of clearance. In the question section, however, Reptizoo states their bottom is all glass (like Exo-Terra) but it appears to be coated with composite material and I do not know how durable it will be (especially since there’s a heat issue with their plastic top frame).
Doors and Locking Mechanism
The Reptzoo unit does not come with a knob (so it’s difficult to open the doors) while Exo-Terra is fully functional out of the box; it comes with a built-in handle/knob which is incorporated into the latching mechanism. Reptizoo requires that you physically lock the doors (they sent 2 keys attached to suction cups) to keep them closed. The lock is surface mounted– turning the key causes a tongue to protrude which acts as a physical barrier in front of the doors. Because of the minimal amount of clearance depthwise between the block and the glass doors, however, you have to push against the doors while locking them shut or you catch the lower edge of the door- causing the glass to chip/crack. Exo-Terra is keyless- you simply rotate a knob in order to secure the doors. Also, the bottom of their door is encased in framing so the edge of the glass is protected.
Miscellaneous:
Both companies include a foam background simulating stones and rocks– Reptizoo’s is flat on the back while Exo-Terra’s includes a pair of vertical channels on either side meant for wire management (see Wire Management for details). Although I have received a couple of backgrounds from Exo-Terra that were a tad short (up to 1/2”) over the years, their backgrounds are cut from a single sheet- Reptizoo piece-meals theirs. The one I received consists of 2 mismatched pieces which were glued together and the seam is horrendous-there’s no way to hide it.
Reptizoo’s “knock-down” design requires framing at all corners while Exo-Terra is all glass for a seamless look; hence, Reptizoo looks more like a old-fashioned box while Exo-Terra is more tank-like.
Although the ad claims that putting the tank together is a 5 minute task for one person, I did not find this to be true. As you have to hold all four sides together in order to slip the top on, you really need an extra pair of hands. Also, like a previous reviewer, one of the parts arrived damaged– someone previously stripped one of the four major screws that holds the tank together. Exo-Terra ships their unit already built so no assembly is required.
All-in-all, the Reptizoo terrarium is an attractive choice- 3.5 stars. I was going to round up to 4 stars as cost is a major factor (I paid $160 for the Reptizoo while Exo-Terra was listed at $280- though it’s been competitively priced to Reptizoo’s unit in the past) but Reptizoo’s customer service leaves a lot to be desired (no response to questions plus I once received a strange email from them after returning a defective hydrometer to Amazon); hence, I rounded down instead to 3 stars. Both are good units, but neither is ideal.
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Catherine
Attractive and functional terrarium for a happy corn snake
Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2019Verified Purchase
Attractive and functional terrarium for a happy corn snake
Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2019
I had been researching for months to put together my first snake vivarium for a young corn snake. This terrarium immediately jumped out at me and checked off every feature I was looking for and then some. It arrived safely and well packaged and assembly was pretty easy, maybe 30 min for initial setup.Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2019
Features:
-front opening doors and a ventilated top with secure tabs, no escapes yet and I don’t expect any. Tip:Suction cups work great as temporary door handles without sacrificing visibility.
-raised to allow an under tank heater to be used without worrying about table damage
-great looking foam background that can be used for fake plants. I regret not securing it better before adding the snake, maybe hot glue or silicone. The snake has hidden on top of it but doesn’t get behind very often
-decent size that will definitely last me for a few years of growth. Same perimeter as a 20 gallon long, appropriate for a corn snake under 3’
-breaks down flat if I ever need to store it. Big big plus for me
-TONS of well secured wire outlets from the inside to the outside, in case I decide to use interior probe thermometers or aerating water. They are all secure when closed, and have stood up to exploration and testing.
What set this terrarium apart from similar others were the side cord outlet, the style of the background, the lock/key closure, the top design, and the ventilated side panels. All of these expectations were met or exceeded. It looks wonderful, it’s serving it’s purpose, and it definitely feels like something I won’t have to ‘upgrade’ for a long time. If the snake needs a size upgrade I have some amphibian displays in mind that would only require minimal modifications. In hindsight I wish I had taken the time to silicone down the background and some temperature probes before use.
Reptizoo isn’t one of the best known names and seem to be online-only in the states. I really enjoyed their website, and it’s evident a lot of thought went into the product.
I’m surprised there are no reviews on this model, and if anything changes my opinion I’ll make sure to update. I am very pleased so far.
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Lilly
Its been two months and holding up! Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on 16 November 2020Verified Purchase
Its been two months and holding up! Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on 16 November 2020
Got this for my baby corn snake. It was a little confusing to put together at first, but it was still setup within an hour. The foam rocks at the back look INCREDIBLE. I didn't use anything to adhere it to the glass but it DOES NOT sit loosely in there. The tabs on the upper screen actually keep the foam pressed VERY tightly against the back glass. My snake has never gotten behind it or anything. There's about 2 centimeter gap from the top of the foam to the screen, and its his favorite place to chill (for now, while he's small enough to fit). I love that the glass is easy to move around. The side glass that has the big hole for cables, I was able to switch it easily to the other side of the tank, when I had to move the snakes setup somewhere else. I also love the key latch to open and close the front. I keep one of them on the front glass like a handle and usually leave the other one inside the lock so I can open it whenever I want. Its a BEAUTIFUL setup and I love how big it is and easy to clean. Im very grateful that I bought this and didn't go with. Fish tank like I originally wanted to do. Its SOOO much easier being able to open the terrarium from the front if we want to handle the snake or just clean it out. I've had it for two months now and there's definitely NO breaking out of this either. The snake is seriously NEVER going to escape, it's THAT well made. Love it so much
Reviewed in the United States on 16 November 2020
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Jordan Ashley Gaudern
do not buy for a snake. They will slide out.
Reviewed in the United States on 6 June 2020Verified Purchase
do not buy for a snake. They will slide out.
Reviewed in the United States on 6 June 2020
1. The side pieces, didn't even fit. My best way to fix it was to zip tie them in place and they still were too loose. Any snake could slip out. Didnt even have to apply pressure to get that picture that I took.Reviewed in the United States on 6 June 2020
2. The back piece didn't fit and I had to stab the top to make a hole so I could put the lid on.
3. Moved the tank over by not even a foot and it sounded like glass breaking.
4. Was missing and end cap for my poles (when assembly is done)
Do not waste your money on this...
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