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Finally got these in stock. Since they are extremely new to the market, I figured I should post some detailed info about these new terrariums.
Let me first say I'm not affiliated with Tetrafauna (nor any of it's competitors) in any way.
We're opening and testing the 20H model. (24X13X16)
As the first ones arrived:
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Simple & Clean packaging... Glass is secured well, etc.
Out of the box!
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So far so good. Clean lines, nice fit & finish, etc... Nothing feels chintzy, glass is clear. I hate it when labels leave a sticky residue on the glass - None of that here. The only thing I see that I don't like is the large center lock on the top. Luckily the lid can be removed and a standard 15G/20H lid can be used. (Yes it fits)
Here's a HUGE plus with these tanks:
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It comes pre-drilled with an included bulkhead. It comes with a plug, a filtered screen (showed), and even a drainage adapter for easy hook up to a drain. I hate drilling glass, so this is a big deal to me!
The "big question" for dart frog hobbyists... Is it fruit fly proof?! If you use a glass top... I think it might actually be! They thought of the most common issues where flies escape... Tetrafauna included a little clear silicone strip to be used between the sliding doors that basically seals it tight! The only bad thing is it's not quite perfectly sized. We needed to cut it down a bit for it to fit (no big deal):
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^^ Still pretty clear! As for the front strip where the air holes are... It's not bad. I think it's safe to say Hydei can't get out, but small melanogaster might (might!) be able to. It's well done in my opinion, and it's easy to affix a little no-see-um netting if it's necessary, which it may not be. Here's a shot of the holes from the inside:
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Considering the front is at least fairly fruit fly proof, we have to worry about the TOP. Obviously the included screen top won't do much good, but since it's a standard 20H size - the glass tops sold just about everywhere fit fine:
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The only complaint I have about the whole terrarium is the locks on top. Basically the glass slides in front of the holes where the locks need to go:
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^^Glass blocking the lock hole on the right & center sides
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^^ The left lock working 100% since the left glass piece is in the forward groove.
The whole back side of the screen does have a nice lip that holds onto the terrarium, so there is very little danger of most types of animals escaping even with only one of the front locks engaged! This is important: As I'm writing this - I've opened two more terrariums to check for this problem. Only ONE has this problem out of the 3 I've checked. I'd like to assume it's something they've already worked out (or just a fluke). The issue is not actually the lid itself, but the glass! The glass on the other two terrariums is a little lower, so the locks work 100%.
Honestly I like the look of a standard screen top over one with a big locking mechanism on the top, anyways so this is a non-issue for me.
________________________________________________________________
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Pros:
Glass doors are removable (takes 3 seconds!) for easy cleaning
Lockable from top & bottom
Pre-drilled & includes the bulkhead
Plenty of silicone on the bottom for a nice true vivarium
6.5" of depth below the front vent for hydroton & substrate
Arguably fruit fly proof (with glass lid)
Black silicone is used for a cleaner look than AG/Aqueon tanks
Cons:
Possible lock issue on the 20H terrariums (None of the larger ones show this)
Included lid has a large lock that may get in the way of rack style use
I wish the next size up was a true 29 gallon! The extra 2" of height would have went a long way in my opinion.
Other info:
Fits standard 20H lids (glass and screen)
The locks on top are removable with a small allen wrench (pliers work).
Glass doors are a hefty 3/16" thick.
The next size up model fits standard 29G lids
List Price Info (Most competitive businesses sell below MSRP/List pricing)
List price on the 24X13X16 model: $84.43
List price on the 30X13X16 model: $98.74
List price on the 40G Breeder model: $147.36 (As of 5/5/11 not yet available)
I don't want to turn this review thread into an advertisement so our prices won't be posted. Before I'm asked - NO we aren't shipping these. I've been looking forward to seeing these in person for awhile, and I figured I wasn't the only one. They are being sold in our retail store as of today and I bet we'll see these popping up all over the place very soon. For the price - it's a nice little terrarium!
If anyone has any questions about these... I've got one on the front desk right now so I should be able to answer.
Let me first say I'm not affiliated with Tetrafauna (nor any of it's competitors) in any way.
We're opening and testing the 20H model. (24X13X16)
As the first ones arrived:
Simple & Clean packaging... Glass is secured well, etc.
Out of the box!
So far so good. Clean lines, nice fit & finish, etc... Nothing feels chintzy, glass is clear. I hate it when labels leave a sticky residue on the glass - None of that here. The only thing I see that I don't like is the large center lock on the top. Luckily the lid can be removed and a standard 15G/20H lid can be used. (Yes it fits)
Here's a HUGE plus with these tanks:
It comes pre-drilled with an included bulkhead. It comes with a plug, a filtered screen (showed), and even a drainage adapter for easy hook up to a drain. I hate drilling glass, so this is a big deal to me!
The "big question" for dart frog hobbyists... Is it fruit fly proof?! If you use a glass top... I think it might actually be! They thought of the most common issues where flies escape... Tetrafauna included a little clear silicone strip to be used between the sliding doors that basically seals it tight! The only bad thing is it's not quite perfectly sized. We needed to cut it down a bit for it to fit (no big deal):
^^ Still pretty clear! As for the front strip where the air holes are... It's not bad. I think it's safe to say Hydei can't get out, but small melanogaster might (might!) be able to. It's well done in my opinion, and it's easy to affix a little no-see-um netting if it's necessary, which it may not be. Here's a shot of the holes from the inside:
Considering the front is at least fairly fruit fly proof, we have to worry about the TOP. Obviously the included screen top won't do much good, but since it's a standard 20H size - the glass tops sold just about everywhere fit fine:
The only complaint I have about the whole terrarium is the locks on top. Basically the glass slides in front of the holes where the locks need to go:
^^Glass blocking the lock hole on the right & center sides
^^ The left lock working 100% since the left glass piece is in the forward groove.
The whole back side of the screen does have a nice lip that holds onto the terrarium, so there is very little danger of most types of animals escaping even with only one of the front locks engaged! This is important: As I'm writing this - I've opened two more terrariums to check for this problem. Only ONE has this problem out of the 3 I've checked. I'd like to assume it's something they've already worked out (or just a fluke). The issue is not actually the lid itself, but the glass! The glass on the other two terrariums is a little lower, so the locks work 100%.
Honestly I like the look of a standard screen top over one with a big locking mechanism on the top, anyways so this is a non-issue for me.________________________________________________________________
Pros:
Glass doors are removable (takes 3 seconds!) for easy cleaning
Lockable from top & bottom
Pre-drilled & includes the bulkhead
Plenty of silicone on the bottom for a nice true vivarium
6.5" of depth below the front vent for hydroton & substrate
Arguably fruit fly proof (with glass lid)
Black silicone is used for a cleaner look than AG/Aqueon tanks
Cons:
Possible lock issue on the 20H terrariums (None of the larger ones show this)
Included lid has a large lock that may get in the way of rack style use
I wish the next size up was a true 29 gallon! The extra 2" of height would have went a long way in my opinion.
Other info:
Fits standard 20H lids (glass and screen)
The locks on top are removable with a small allen wrench (pliers work).
Glass doors are a hefty 3/16" thick.
The next size up model fits standard 29G lids
List Price Info (Most competitive businesses sell below MSRP/List pricing)
List price on the 24X13X16 model: $84.43
List price on the 30X13X16 model: $98.74
List price on the 40G Breeder model: $147.36 (As of 5/5/11 not yet available)
I don't want to turn this review thread into an advertisement so our prices won't be posted. Before I'm asked - NO we aren't shipping these. I've been looking forward to seeing these in person for awhile, and I figured I wasn't the only one. They are being sold in our retail store as of today and I bet we'll see these popping up all over the place very soon. For the price - it's a nice little terrarium!
If anyone has any questions about these... I've got one on the front desk right now so I should be able to answer.
