Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

AS · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:28 am Post subject: Lightning vivariums

Does anybody know if these tanks are still being made? I cant seem to get onto their website and there doesn't seem to be any independent stores selling them. I as thinking of switching my melamine vivs for a plastic tank and am torn between Vision, Herptek and Lightning; I can find plenty of information on the first two but nothing on the Lightnings. So' has anyone owned these tanks and how do they stack up against the other two makes? Do the Lightning tanks have any advantages over other plastic/ fibreglass vivs, any unique selling points?
Any information would be appreciated.
Regards, AS

JStroud · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:35 am Post subject:

I have worked with both vision and herptek and really do like them, although they sometimes can be a bit awkward when cleaning because they tend to be deeper then they are taller if you get me but would really recommend them none the less. I think Stuart had a lightning viv so I'll let him reply to that as I've never worked with them...
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Regards James Stroud

Stuart · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:45 am Post subject:

Personally prefer herpteks..
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AS · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies, I was leaning towards the herpteks myself but I had read that they did not hold heat at all well and that heating them was a problem, what are your opinions on this? In regard to the lightning tanks, what were your impressions of them, and why do you prefer the herpteks?
Regards, AS

Stuart · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:

The herpteks are very well made and do not need a rack to sit in like the lightning ones do..as for heating in the herpteks I do think that the "bucket" could be moved a few inches further along maybe as it is quite hard to get the air temps up..
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cornfan · Key Member Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 262

Get in touch with the Reptile Zone in Bristol and they'll be able to tell you about the lightnings
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Regards, Tanya

Reptile Lover

AS · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

Once again thank you for the replies. With regards to the herptek the air temps would be a problem for me as I want the plastic tanks for my "pet" snakes which are kept in my house, not my breeding room, and the temps can get pretty low. Could you line the cages with some type of insulation material? I've not seen herpteks in the flesh so to speak so I do not know if this is feasible or not, let me know what you think.
Cornfan, I tried going onto the Reptile Zone website and couldn't seem to find anything about the lightnings. Unfortunately visiting Bristol isn't an option either even though I live quite near (Oxfordshire.) The last time I went it was during the rush hour and after several near misses with other cars ( and several very angry drivers) I found myself on the road towards Wales not knowing how to get back to Oxford, not an experience I ever want to repeat!
Regards, AS

AS · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject:

On a slightly different topic, of the plastic tanks that I mentioned which ones have access holes for thermostat probes? Also, how do you go about securing branches inside the cage? Usually I just drill 2 small holes in the melamine vivs and then secure the branch using some string, obviously this isn't something that I would want to try on a plastic tank. Any suggestions?
Thanks, AS

cornfan · Key Member Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 262