Crested Gecko/PVC Reptile Habitat Cage

My crested gecko has two homes, in my classroom as well as at home with me. I had originally been hauling a glass exoterra case back and forth but not only was it getting cumbersome, but with the hard water we used to mist the tank (local water, can't do much about it) it was starting to get pretty scummy looking. I thought this would be a good alternative, and so far have been happy with the choice.Pros:Lightweight so it's easier to clean and more around.Tall which allows this arboreal species room to climb.Screened top and front allow air flow but opaque sides also allow for some privacy.Cons:Not super easy to put together. I eventually got two of these (bought locally on sale,not online so they were cheaper) and both of them had at least one piece where a hole wasn't drilled quite right and so it had to be made larger to accommodate the screw. (If you've ever put cheap Ikea type furniture together you know the experience...things are just a tad off.) Luckily I had a pretty handy middle schooler assisting me and we eventually got it sorted out, but it took some time. The directions weren't great either.No easy way to run power into this cage. If you use a heat lamp or rock there's no easy way to attach it. Crested geckos are often okay at room temp, but if you live someplace that can get cold, sometimes you might want to use a heat lamp for a bit to get the cage up to the right temperature. I didn't want to just lay the light on top for fear of heating up the metal screen and burning my little guy, so we had to rig a separate light stand to hang over the cage.Pricey. All cages and terrariums are, but it still stinks considering it's made of pretty cheap materials and you have to assemble it yourself.

This cage isn't nearly as impressive as I hoped. Not aesthetically appealing, even less so than the pictures suggest. You could make your own for far less and with less difficulty. The instructions are nearly impossible to follow, and only a portion of the panels/screens/etc are labeled correctly. Terms similar to " 'Sandwich' one screen between Panel A and B, and use short screw to secure" are used. There are no images or diagrams. We finally put the instructions away and just put it together ourselves. The large front screen does not fit well, and can be difficult to open. The holes for the screws are too wide in some areas, and so the screws won't hold each piece together very well.On the plus side... It is relatively sturdy, and it is easy to clean. It's lightweight so it's easy to move as long as you're gentle ( I don't trust it not to fall apart ).If you're wanting a relatively cheap stationary cage, you're handy with tools, and don't mind it being somewhat... unattractive, then perhaps this is the cage for you! It just isn't for me.