I was just checking out the LLL Reptile site and saw that they carry not only Reptariums, but also something called an Explorarium. It is like a pop-up Rept Has anyone ever gotten one of these? If so, what was the opening for it like? Is it easy to get into, clean, etc? I'm very interested in possibly ordering one of them for traveling since I travel with my gliders quite a bit. Also, has anyone ordered from LLL Reptiles before? How are they for shipping speed, customer service, etc?
I have something similar. It's basically a pop-up laundry bag with a PVC frame inside. I use it when I'm cleaning cages and it's wonderful! The mesh hasn't given me any problems at all. Now if the explorarium has the same cover as reptariums, I've not had good luck with their covers in the last year. They pill, snag, pull and get holes, no matter how careful I am with washing, trimming nails and not using anything sharp. Before that, I had no problems. Are all rept covers made by the same company?
I have used LLL ever since I started using repts. Their service cannot be beat, and I have not once had a problem with their product. I have never had a problem with their replacement screens fitting but I have had that problem when I ordered replacement screens once from somewhere else. They were the same size but did not fit no matter what I did.
They will get my business for as long as I use repts.
I know that Alice33 uses the explorarium for travel, but I do not know where she got hers.
That would be great for traveling. It looks like it would work really well. I hope someone comes along who has one so we can learn more about it. I might have to keep this in mind for the future...
Be aware that some of the explorariums (from what I have heard) must be hung in order to maintain their shape. I know I looked into getting one about 5 years ago (I think) and was disappointed to find that you had to hang them in order to make them work. I believe someone talked about bending some PVC awhile back to make a frame for it.
As far as LLLreptile, I agree, I have had nothing but great service from them as well.
~Gretchen
If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
I too would be interested to know if it is free-standing. I like the ease of setting up the Explorarium. I use 65 gal repts now for travel and can easily fit a wheel inside, but would consider alternatives.
Looks like I'll be trying LLL Reptile for repts given the delivery and communication problems with the vendor I used previously. Thanks for letting us know about their great service! I haven't priced replacement screens yet, but don't mind paying more for a vendor who is responsive to their customers!
Be aware that some of the explorariums (from what I have heard) must be hung in order to maintain their shape. I know I looked into getting one about 5 years ago (I think) and was disappointed to find that you had to hang them in order to make them work. I believe someone talked about bending some PVC awhile back to make a frame for it.
True, I saw these in person at a local exotic reptile shop.
Suz I have one of these if you would like to see it. It is not free standing you have to attach it to a hook in a closet or the ceiling. Kathy made me a suggie gym to ft inside it. Tried it in the bedroom with Kahlua and Rei they went inside looked aroundand haven't been back since. I was thinking of selling it. I will bring it too FIBB for you to see but I don't think they are worth the money. It is not good for travel you have to hang it and most closets are not deep enough to accommadate them. Then most curtain rods in hotels are either too high or not secured to the wall good enough to hold them.
Karen President of The Glider Initiative The Glider Crue
I did hear that they had to be hung up and that is why I did this other thing with the hamper. It stands up all by itself! I can bring it to FIBB for you to see if it will work for you, if you'd like?
Suz I have one of these if you would like to see it. It is not free standing you have to attach it to a hook in a closet or the ceiling. Kathy made me a suggie gym to ft inside it. Tried it in the bedroom with Kahlua and Rei they went inside looked aroundand haven't been back since. I was thinking of selling it. I will bring it too FIBB for you to see but I don't think they are worth the money. It is not good for travel you have to hang it and most closets are not deep enough to accommadate them. Then most curtain rods in hotels are either too high or not secured to the wall good enough to hold them.
That's too bad it isn't easy to travel with. It looks nice, but I wouldn't want to have to find a way to hand it. I think I will stick to my pop-up crate. It is nice to know about them...just in case.
Re: Explorarium?
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#892470 01/13/1003:49 AM01/13/1003:49 AM
Well shucks, I wish they didn't have to be hung Karen, I'd like to see it if you could bring it to FIBB. Maybe I can figure out a way to modify it so it wouldn't have to be hung
Most hotel bathrooms have a shower curtain rod. That would work if the bathroom had a lid for the toilet and could be glider-proofed. It would also be pretty easy to make a frame like some do for the collapsible dog crates. It wouldn't have to be round - a square support would keep it upright.
It seems to me if you are going to so much trouble to customize an explorarium to make it free standing, you would do better using a 65 gal rept for travel.
I used one when I used to travel with mine, and it worked just fine. Wheel fit with no problem and once you figure out the water bottle, it is easy to take apart and put back together.
Shelly could make a tree that went up the center to hol it in place. That way you wouldn't have to hang it. Tish I will get it back out this week-nd and take a few pixs for you to see.
Karen President of The Glider Initiative The Glider Crue
I've had one of the Explorariums for a while. It works well for me since I only put my gliders in it during rept cleaning and such. I don't use it for travel. It will stand on it's own but can't support any significant amount of weight without sagging.
I do find the zippered door to be a bit small as well. Hard to get a pouch full of gliders through it without disturbing them. No way a wheel would get through there.