Cage Opening - Top or front opening?

[Edwin]

Just curious to see which type of openings people prefer on their terrariums and why.

I personally prefer front opening because it is easier for me to clean the cage floor without having to stoop. Front openings also allow me to stack my cages to save space.

[Scotty Allen]

Another good reason to not have top opening cages is that front opening doors do not fall down and clunk you on the head.

[silke]

I only have top openning...just worked out that way
if i had any front openning then i could compare and have an opinion
yes Scotty...finally something I do not have an opinion on

LOL

:)

[Greg West]

I've heard that reaching into a cage from above is more stressful for a reptile, but i don't know if that theory has any merit or not. I prefer the front opening cages when you have the cage on a stand as it is easier to access fronm the front. A top opening cage might be more practical if the cage is on the floor.

Just my opinion

Greg

[PoiSoNouS]

Im so small.. I prefer front opnening cages.. or I have to climb... :(

[Quervo]

As Greg said .. reaching in from the top can stress a snake more (the theory is .. a lot of their natural enemies are birds and attack from above). The biggest problem with top opening cages is heat and humidity loss, it is much easier to regulate humidity with a front opening setup.

[shimbathesnake]

I use front opening, I would take in into account what Quervo has posted.

another useful thing with front opening is you can stack stuff on top!

Clem

[reverendsterlin]

front opening for stacking

[lance]

front opening for ease of cleaning

[Bryan Self]

Front opening. Need to stack cages for space.

[Kurzix]

FRONT OPENING RULES

TOP OPENING SUCKS (but is cheaper!)

Anyways lets see you lift Fluffy the 22 foot 310lb retic out of a top opener lol no thanks!

[Lisa]

We have both, it's not the easiest thing to reach into a top opening 100G tank nor is it the easiest thing to secure. we're thinking of flipping the 100G on it's side and building a different sort of door for it.

how ever top opening tanks can be had for 1/3-1/2 the cost of a front opening.we've stacked both front and top opening tanks

[Jeff_Favelle]

If I had cages that were top-opening, I'd need a football field to house them all!!!!! Could you imagine the waste of space by having cages that opened from the top?? Yikes!

[JIMI]

i prefer front opening

[JIMI]

i have a front opening and plan to stack them... thats why i designed them front opening!

[JIMI]

one more lol... since i made one enclosure with the opening folding down (absolute best for space saving)... the next enclosure is going to be one that completey comes off... like a loose hinge on the bottom with a locking top. just as effective as anything else, but saves space, and prevents me from stepping over any doors. i can take it off and place it somewhere til i'm done. cleaning is a breeze too

[jason h]

lol kurzix!!! let see ya lift fluffy from a front opener LOL!!!!!!:confused:

[Kurzix]

Jason, well it'd be easier from a front opener wouldn;t it? LOL

[jason h]

lol I think the crane can be hooked up easier from a top opener hehehe;)

[Syst3m]

Jason But I think Kurzix could be eaten easier from a front opener wouldn't you agree?

[jason h]

lol :grab: :confused:

[Linds]

I definitely prefer front-opening. With many animals in a small space its the only option. I also find it ALOT easier to work with animals in a front-opening enclosure. It can be difficult, and quite risky retrieving a 14' snake from a top-opening enclosure :eek:.

[Syst3m]

Oh forgot. Front slide opening is my preference.

[Twisted]

Front opening it is easier to clean to stack and it does not cause the reptile stress.

[Shane Tesser]

I currently only have top opening aquariums....i have not yet found a front opening one....but then again i think it might be hard to keep a couple of hundred gallons of water in place when i open the front each time to clean...j/k :D :) ;)

[tightsqueeze]

it is alot less stressful if you approch a snake on his/her level ....especaily if its hungry...lol

[Dom]

I have all front opening as well on my costum cages .. efficeint on space .. I personally HATE sliding doors if you are using a substrate either than newspaper .. the substrate gets in you rail and makes u a litle more mad everyday until u take a sledge hammer to your cage cause it won't close lol Don't ask..

Top doors is almost a must for tanks unfortunetly but I don't see any reason for top opening on a custom built ..

Back opening is an option although a back door generally means u have no window on the door 9if u do then why not make it front opening???)- wich means u do not see the animal .. which means u need a front and back room to see and handle the animal ... over all, not efficient on space and a risk if you are dealling with animals that are not so friendly ..


mahhhh .. Just my 0.02$

I felt like ramblimg

Dom

[Kathy]

I use regular tanks on their side with locking screen "lids" The lids now open like a garage door or trunk of a hatchback car, I can stack stuff on top, easier for humidity, and the snakes have more floor room :) That and it didn't cost me a cent more hehe

[Edwin]

Kathy, thats a very innovative idea. A friend of mine has his glass aquariums on shelves, and it is a pain for him to open and close them every day. I will tell him your idea.

[jason h]

ya kathy i did the same thing with one of mine works pretty good too

[mykee]

I have a top opening 75 gallon enclosure. Wish I could just turn it over, what a pain in the butt!!