Post by Viper on Feb 22, 2007 16:04:12 GMT -6
"Visionarium" reptile enclosure by Vision Products
www.visionproducts.us
I recently discovered this exciting, new product line while researching different types of Vision Cages. Being a fan of using aquariums for aesthetic reasons, I am constantly faced with the issue of space. The major drawback to aquariums, in my opinion, is that you must leave plenty of room to access the animal and the enclosure, as well as for air circulation, top-of-tank lighting, etc. That means that a standard twenty-gallon aquarium requires about twenty inches of height, even though it's only twelve inches tall. A forty-gallon aquarium requires twenty-eight inches of space even though it is only sixteen inches tall.
Enter the "Visionarium" from Vision Products. The Visionarium is a modular unit that looks much like an aquarium, but can be completely disassembled, meaning that a cracked end piece can simply be removed and replaced.
The front features two sliding panels that can even be locked with a showcase lock, so you can easily access your animal from the front. The corner posts are ventilated, and the tops and bottoms are mated, which means you can stack them and they will interlock for stability. Stackable aquariums!
You can also get a divider that is designed to split the enclosure in half, allowing you to house two animals in one enclosure without cohabitation. The divider installs and removes without tools, meaning it can be removed anytime. A great option for breeders, as you can simply remove the divider and encourage breeding, then reintroduce it and separate them again…all in the same enclosure.
The top has a recessed screen so you can still add a light or heat source if you like.
The bottom tray has a molded litter-dam to help prevent substrate from falling out or getting in the door tracks.
We picked one up at the National Reptile Breeders Conference in Arlington, where we also met Mr. Selstad as he answered questions at their display area. I was anxious to get home and assemble one for myself after getting to see them there. It came in a long, flat box about four feet by fourteen inches wide by four inches deep. Inside the glass pieces were well packed and protected within a cardboard holder.
Inspection of the components revealed nice attention to detail. The black, molded polymer top and bottom had little to no flashing or barbs as you get with some injection-molded items. The clear corner posts were well made with no faults, cracks, or other issues. The instructions were succinct and easy to understand.
Assembly was simple. I don't even think I looked at the directions. It took about three minutes to assemble the pieces. The only tool required was a Phillip's head screwdriver to install the four corner screws. Even before installing the screws the structure was stable and sturdy. The screws merely seem to keep it that way.
Post assembly inspection found the whole unit to feel as sturdy as a standard twenty-gallon aquarium. There was no wobble or squeaks or undesired movement of the pieces. It felt as if I could stand on it. The doors slide easy, and I found that there are nice little overlaps so that, if you choose to put a showcase lock on it, the glass cannot be lifted out to circumvent the locks. It suppose you could remove the corner screws and disassemble it to get in, but anyone who would go that far would just break the glass anyway.
All in all I found this to be a great product that fills a, currently, unmet need. It allows the keeper to have the aesthetic benefits of aquariums, while gaining the space-saving benefits of a Vision Cage.
The only size currently available is 20L - 30" x 12" x 12" tall, which is standard for a "twenty-gallon long" aquarium. However, I got it from Scott Selstad at Vision Products that they will soon release the same unit, but about six inches taller. Later in the year they hope to have their forty-gallon available. I have already figured, based on the forties, that I will be able to put fourteen snakes where I currently have seven, by using these stackable forties! I can't wait! If they end up producing a seventy-gallon unit it is likely that my whole reptile room will be made up solely of Visionariums shortly after their release. I already plant to replace everything forty-gallons or less with Visionariums.
www.visionproducts.us
I recently discovered this exciting, new product line while researching different types of Vision Cages. Being a fan of using aquariums for aesthetic reasons, I am constantly faced with the issue of space. The major drawback to aquariums, in my opinion, is that you must leave plenty of room to access the animal and the enclosure, as well as for air circulation, top-of-tank lighting, etc. That means that a standard twenty-gallon aquarium requires about twenty inches of height, even though it's only twelve inches tall. A forty-gallon aquarium requires twenty-eight inches of space even though it is only sixteen inches tall.
Enter the "Visionarium" from Vision Products. The Visionarium is a modular unit that looks much like an aquarium, but can be completely disassembled, meaning that a cracked end piece can simply be removed and replaced.
The front features two sliding panels that can even be locked with a showcase lock, so you can easily access your animal from the front. The corner posts are ventilated, and the tops and bottoms are mated, which means you can stack them and they will interlock for stability. Stackable aquariums!
You can also get a divider that is designed to split the enclosure in half, allowing you to house two animals in one enclosure without cohabitation. The divider installs and removes without tools, meaning it can be removed anytime. A great option for breeders, as you can simply remove the divider and encourage breeding, then reintroduce it and separate them again…all in the same enclosure.
The top has a recessed screen so you can still add a light or heat source if you like.
The bottom tray has a molded litter-dam to help prevent substrate from falling out or getting in the door tracks.
We picked one up at the National Reptile Breeders Conference in Arlington, where we also met Mr. Selstad as he answered questions at their display area. I was anxious to get home and assemble one for myself after getting to see them there. It came in a long, flat box about four feet by fourteen inches wide by four inches deep. Inside the glass pieces were well packed and protected within a cardboard holder.
Inspection of the components revealed nice attention to detail. The black, molded polymer top and bottom had little to no flashing or barbs as you get with some injection-molded items. The clear corner posts were well made with no faults, cracks, or other issues. The instructions were succinct and easy to understand.
Assembly was simple. I don't even think I looked at the directions. It took about three minutes to assemble the pieces. The only tool required was a Phillip's head screwdriver to install the four corner screws. Even before installing the screws the structure was stable and sturdy. The screws merely seem to keep it that way.
Post assembly inspection found the whole unit to feel as sturdy as a standard twenty-gallon aquarium. There was no wobble or squeaks or undesired movement of the pieces. It felt as if I could stand on it. The doors slide easy, and I found that there are nice little overlaps so that, if you choose to put a showcase lock on it, the glass cannot be lifted out to circumvent the locks. It suppose you could remove the corner screws and disassemble it to get in, but anyone who would go that far would just break the glass anyway.
All in all I found this to be a great product that fills a, currently, unmet need. It allows the keeper to have the aesthetic benefits of aquariums, while gaining the space-saving benefits of a Vision Cage.
The only size currently available is 20L - 30" x 12" x 12" tall, which is standard for a "twenty-gallon long" aquarium. However, I got it from Scott Selstad at Vision Products that they will soon release the same unit, but about six inches taller. Later in the year they hope to have their forty-gallon available. I have already figured, based on the forties, that I will be able to put fourteen snakes where I currently have seven, by using these stackable forties! I can't wait! If they end up producing a seventy-gallon unit it is likely that my whole reptile room will be made up solely of Visionariums shortly after their release. I already plant to replace everything forty-gallons or less with Visionariums.
