Thoughts on various cages...

[NorCalAl]

I've, in my very short time with herps, now used/owned three types or makers of cages: aquariums, Vision and now Showcase. I've not even seen yet all the others, except for a few PVCages I saw at a recent show.

The aquariums, as everyone knows, are poorly suited to the task, even when modified. They do offer simplicity and decent cost, but sacrifice almost everything else. I will say that I'm not sure anything else offers my chuckwalla what he seems to like - he loves interacting with the world around him.

The Visions are not attractive, the tops (roof, whatever) are often weirdly shaped and don't offer much in the way of utility to do things like install RHP's. I have three: 332, 221 and 222. Only the smallest offers a flat (more or less) surface to mount the RHP. The 2x2x2 just fit in the smallest of the RHP's I've seen offered and I do mean just. They don't retain heat very well, either.

On the flip side, they are so ugly and utilitarian you don't mind cutting into them to mount perches, lights and heat panels! They seem to stack decently well but are too flimsy to stack more than two high unless you put very little weight in them. They also seem to bow/flex and then stay bowed/flexed.

I went and looked at a couple (3) sizes of Showcase yesterday and I bought their smallest model. These things are impressive in construction and fit/finish.
I'm planning, right now, on perhaps using them for all my needs.

Minuses are there, primarily, again, in the roof/top design. The smallest model (2x1.5x1.5) can't use a heat panel unless affixed inside to the side. It's so small I don't believe it would offer the animal a place to get away from the heat. But it might work fine for a small snake using a ceramic heat emitter or UTH. Showcase has places for lights of all kinds, cool slots for cords and overall a very thoughtful design - for design sake. Much of the top is compromised for these however. At least in the small size.

The 3x2x2 has the same light/cord slots but does include a largish flat surface for the panels and all models include a slightly raised panel for mounting a UTH. They offer a neato rotating slot for cords that need to intrude on the interior. The build is simply top notch. I was in a living room with three 4x2x2 and two of the smallest and when stacked, they just present such an attractive unit. And they don't seem to flex or bow at all. Plus - no waiting! :0) Showcase seems to have em all in stock. Not cheap, but not cheaply made, either.

Sorry for the long post - just wanted to drop my thoughts on what I've used. Don't see much on the boards about Showcase and for the most part, I think they deserve a second look.

[mommanessy247]

i'm using a glass visionarium from creativepet.com & my only complaint is the weird shape of the bottom (underneath) & the top. they're designed to be stacked so they nest into each other...whatever.
i'm looking into a 36" stackable from npicages.com for my girl's adult set up. i was looking at their regular cages but they're just too slanted & funky shaped for my liking. i also like the animal plastic cages but not for their prices, lol. maybe if i had more time to save up for something like that i'd go for them.

[NorCalAl]

Loving these Showcase cages! Got one setup and running (no inhabitants till tomorrow). Holds heat well even with all the venting. The one set up now is the smallest they make (24x18x16) and it'll be holding my neo gtp. While I've had my yearling in a 29g tall aquarium (30x12x18), I'll be moving her to one of the 3x2x2's.

They stack really well, even when using the smallest on top of the larger ones. So well built - unlike the Visions. That's not fair, the Visions are made well, but once stacked, don't have the build to withstand the weight. Not so with the Showcase.

Cost a bit more, but the little extras - access to lights when stacked, cord routing channels, no waiting to buy! all make it worth while.