Exo Terra vs. Zoo Med Vs. Zilla Terrariums

[Ozymandias]

really that must be new because i've seen them rust all the time.

 

[BonnieLorraine]

Supposedly Exo Terra manufacturers switched the screens, they're supposed to be stainless steel, but so far all of mine have rusted. None of my ZooMeds have yet to rust though. My friend is complaining to Hagen, as he has a lot of angry customers, but even if they do replace the screens, unless they switch suppliers the same thing will just happen again.

 

[ARKPROJECT]

All mine have rusted a little too, but I still only use them. They are perfect for my Day Geckos. They look nice when stacked together with the exo terra lights as well. The two door option helps alot when dealing with my smaller phelsuma.

 

[Ozymandias]

Supposedly Exo Terra manufacturers switched the screens, they're supposed to be stainless steel, but so far all of mine have rusted. None of my ZooMeds have yet to rust though. My friend is complaining to Hagen, as he has a lot of angry customers, but even if they do replace the screens, unless they switch suppliers the same thing will just happen again.

There is also the fact that there are different grades of stainless steel and some of those do actually rust. So they could technicaly be using stainless but a grade that is more prone to rust

 

[MeiK]

...Just to clear some things up... I sell both brands, and both have their own benefits & advantages.

Exo terra lids 100% do rust. Although they are advertised as stainless - they are a low grade stainless (which can rust). These are MUCH easier (and usually cheaper) to ship, and the aftermarket stuff (fixtures & matching probe thermo/hygrometers, mainly) look great. Exos also come in sizes from tiny (nano) to monstrous (36"!). The tops are awfully annoying with the stupid plastic strips that basically force the user to use the Exo tops or deal with wobbly light fixtures. :-x

Zoo Med leaking & latch problems are fixed on the newer tanks. That's a big deal considering the price. They are slightly less expensive, and available in more stores than the Exos. The older boxes (with the weaker latches and shoddy glass work) were easier (cheaper) to ship, which sort of sucks now.

So... In my opinion if you are getting them SHIPPED to you - Exo Terra. For example we sell the 12x12x18 with a the nice Exo light fixture, a background, substrate, hygrometer, thermometer, water dish, artificial hanging plant, artificial terrestrial plant, and flexible vines for $109 shipped. :shock:

If you have a local store that sells both for the same price (or near the same price...) I'd probably say Zoo Med.

 

[AeroWRX]

...Just to clear some things up... I sell both brands, and both have their own benefits & advantages.

Exo terra lids 100% do rust. Although they are advertised as stainless - they are a low grade stainless (which can rust). These are MUCH easier (and usually cheaper) to ship, and the aftermarket stuff (fixtures & matching probe thermo/hygrometers, mainly) look great. Exos also come in sizes from tiny (nano) to monstrous (36"!). The tops are awfully annoying with the stupid plastic strips that basically force the user to use the Exo tops or deal with wobbly light fixtures. :-x

Zoo Med leaking & latch problems are fixed on the newer tanks. That's a big deal considering the price. They are slightly less expensive, and available in more stores than the Exos. The older boxes (with the weaker latches and shoddy glass work) were easier (cheaper) to ship, which sort of sucks now.

So... In my opinion if you are getting them SHIPPED to you - Exo Terra. For example we sell the 12x12x18 with a the nice Exo light fixture, a background, substrate, hygrometer, thermometer, water dish, artificial hanging plant, artificial terrestrial plant, and flexible vines for $109 shipped. :shock:

If you have a local store that sells both for the same price (or near the same price...) I'd probably say Zoo Med.

Nice shameless advertisement there Mike j/k :crackup:

How are the TetraFauna Deluxe Terrariums you sell Mike?

Petsmart still has Zoo Med 18x18x24 on sale for $90 right now. It was $80 last month.

 

[BonnieLorraine]

I'm taking your word that the Zoo Meds are fixed now Mike, we just picked up a van full of them this morning and I'm going to start work on them later this week. I'm still at a bit of a loss on the price though, they were quite a bit more expensive wholesale than the Exo's are.

 

[AeroWRX]

They've been cheaper than the Exos for 6-9 months now haven't they? Petsmart is the cheapest I've seen for consumer pricing. They were being sold at $80 each. Now at $89.. cheaper than Amazon

I still trust Zoo med customer service more than Exo Terra's. Exo ppl have no idea about their products.

 

[BonnieLorraine]

Wholesale Exo Terra's are cheaper. The reason that Zoo Meds are cheaper retail is that Exo Terra enforces their MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price), and Zoo Med does not. That means Exo Terras have to be sold at what the manufacturer recommends, where as people can sell Zoo Meds for whatever they want, in most instances they're being sold cheaper than most stores can get them at wholesale.

 

[jpstodwftexas]

Wholesale Exo Terra's are cheaper. The reason that Zoo Meds are cheaper retail is that Exo Terra enforces their MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price), and Zoo Med does not. That means Exo Terras have to be sold at what the manufacturer recommends, where as people can sell Zoo Meds for whatever they want, in most instances they're being sold cheaper than most stores can get them at wholesale.

Thats good news for people who can buy Wholesale...how ever It does not make them cheaper for people buying them