Shipping a Critter Condo to Florida?

[OwnedByOola]

Hi everyone,

I've been a long-time lurker here at the forum, but this is my first post. I just brought home my first beardie, a 5-month-old girl. I hope to start a thread for her soon. She's temporarily in a 36x18x18 Exo-Terra terrarium, but I've been looking for a 4x2x2 viv. My preference is for a Critter Condo, but I've contacted a few dealers and they either won't ship to me in FL, or advise against it because the price would be astronomical. Does anyone know of a Critter Condo dealer in Florida, or one that will ship to Florida? My other top choice is a viv from www.customcages.com; however, these must be assembled at home and any lighting fixtures must be purchased additionally, rather than being standard. The Critter Condo is my top choice.

If anyone knows how to get one of these to Florida, I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[pyffersnpaws]

Natalie... Here is a site we almost bought from before we found a local person with the critter condo. http://www.showcasecages.com/index.html

 

[OwnedByOola]

Thank you! I have a 3x2 showcase cage for my leopard gecko, and while I really like it, I don't think I'd be very fond of the 4x2 size because it's shorter in height. The basking and UVB areas are also some distance from each other, so it would be kind of hard for a beardie to sit underneath both at the same time.

I do really love the showcase cages-- I just wish they were a little more geared towards the beardie lifestyle, lol.

 

[pyffersnpaws]

2 of our critter condos are 4fx2fx18inc. and they have no problem with basking or uvb, and we have custom rocks in the enclosure

 

[OwnedByOola]

I'm more worried about the fact that the basking area is recessed about 6 inches lower than the actual height of the cage. So the basking lamp would be roughly 12 inches from the floor of the tank. I wish they made them so that the basking spot was level with the top of the cage, rather than recessed. Nonetheless, they are definitely really nice cages, and my gecko loves his!

 

[OwnedByOola]

I think I've given up on the Critter Condo idea, and I'm going to get a 4x2x2 w/ clear sides from CustomCages.com. Wish I could build a viv for myself, but I don't have a saw OR carpentry skills.

 

[RB1]

i use to like these custom cages but there was a few issues that made me stray away from them,first off the area of the basking bulb,tho some won't mind it.

secondly the UVB is covered by mesh

the position of the uvb also bothered me as it might be hard for a dragon to really absorb it esp when the location of the heat fixture is way back.

 

[OwnedByOola]

Thanks, yeah those were my exact thoughts as well.

 

[OwnedByOola]

I finally made a decision and ordered a 4x2x2 viv with clear sides and extra ventilation from CustomCages. I think it's going to end up being exactly what I wanted.

 

[RB1]

I finally made a decision and ordered a 4x2x2 viv with clear sides and extra ventilation from CustomCages. I think it's going to end up being exactly what I wanted.

None the less they look fine but there lead times i heard was pretty bad,also another issue with there caging is you have to put it together your self,for almost 500 bucks you should not have to do any of this

also getting a condo shipped from the guy who makes them him self aka calentine dragons i believe was only 150 through them should of gone that route if you ask me

 

[OwnedByOola]

If you're referring to Caliente Dragons, they don't ship. Plus I wanted a viv with clear sides, which rules out his cages. Given my options, I'm really happy with my
Purchase.

 

[RB1]

Not sure who you spoke to there but they do ship,i have asked them about shipping on there fb page with a response not to long ago and he has posted on this forum as well,shipping is around 150 or a bit more from them.

good luck tho hopefully you don't have any issues with there cages,i had read some bad reviews on there lead times/setting up the cages,there were also one of my choices for a cage but the price don't warrant it along with me having to put it together my self,they claim they ship it not built to cut down shipping cost which is just a lie because that cage is not worth no 500 bucks even with shipping

300/350 at most after shipping

post pics when you get it,just curious to see one of these set up

 

[OwnedByOola]

With all due respect, it's my choice to decide what I spend my money on. Price wasn't my only concern-- I researched cages for months and the Custom Cages ended up fitting all of my needs. I've dealt with lead times before on caging, so it's not a big deal. Overall I expect these will fit the bill.

 

[RB1]

so got your viv yet?

 

[OwnedByOola]

Yes! I love it, very happy with the purchase.