hi i like the look of the ZILLA Spring Cave how much it is cave and how will cost to ship it to scotland
The Zilla Spring Cave is a popular reptile decor item that aims to provide a naturalistic drinking and hiding spot for reptiles and amphibians. But does it live up to the hype? In this detailed review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, pros, cons, usage, and value of the Zilla Spring Cave to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your pet’s enclosure.
Overview of the Zilla Spring Cave
The Zilla Spring Cave is a decorative cave made of durable plastic that has a built-in water pump to create a dripping or flowing water effect. The cave has a large internal chamber that allows reptiles and amphibians to climb inside and take advantage of the high humidity environment.
The cave comes complete with several convenient features. There is an integrated blue LED light to allow nighttime viewing of pets inside the cave. A removable feeding dish sits on top of the cave. And a small stick is included for pets to use as a ramp to access the cave entrance.
Some key specs of the Zilla Spring Cave
- Dimensions: 8″ x 8″ x 10.75″
- Weight: 1.7 lbs
- 6 foot power cord length
- Reservoir capacity: 40 oz
The cave is suitable for terrariums 20 gallons or larger. It requires an electrical outlet to operate the water pump.
Pros of the Zilla Spring Cave
There are several beneficial features and perks that the Zilla Spring Cave offers:
Naturalistic Design: The cave has a natural looking rock finish that easily blends into naturalistic terrarium designs. The dripping or flowing water creates a realistic rain or waterfall effect.
Drinking Water Source The flowing water enables reptiles and amphibians that prefer moving water to drink Species like chameleons often refuse to drink from standing water bowls
High Humidity Chamber: The large internal cave provides a humid hide area to aid shedding and hydration for reptiles like ball pythons and leopard geckos.
Night Viewing: The integrated blue LED light allows reptiles and amphibians to be safely viewed at night when they are most active.
Feeding Dish Included: No need to purchase a separate food dish, saving on costs. Dish is removable for easy cleaning.
Decent Reservoir Capacity Holds a sufficient amount of water that only needs occasional refilling for most setups
Lightweight: Weighing only 1.7 lbs, the cave is easy to reposition or move between enclosures.
Durable Construction: Made from thick, good quality plastics that resist breaking if accidentally knocked over.
Cons of the Zilla Spring Cave
However, there are also some downsides associated with the Zilla Spring Cave to be aware of:
Chemical Smell Out of Box: Many users report a strong chemical odor from the manufacturing process that requires multiple cleanings to eliminate.
Pump Loses Flow with Debris: The low-powered internal pump is prone to clogging and reduced water flow if debris makes its way into the reservoir.
Always On LED Light: The blue mood light lacks an on/off switch and remains powered whenever the pump is plugged in.
Difficult to Clean: The cave has to be completely disassembled to access the pump for deep cleaning and removing clogs.
Large Size: Requires a minimum of a 20 gallon terrarium, limiting use in smaller enclosures.
External Power Cable: The power cord exiting the cave can detract from aesthetics unless hidden cleverly.
Usage Tips and Maintenance
To get the most enjoyment out of the Zilla Spring Cave, here are some usage and maintenance best practices:
- Wash all cave parts with hot water and mild soap before first use to eliminate chemical odor
- Visually inspect water flow every few days for signs of reduced output signaling a clog
- Completely dismantle and clean the entire cave every 2-4 weeks to prevent growth of mold
- Use plastic disposable portion cups to replace damaged feeding dish
- Monitor humidity levels when using cave and adjust misting schedules accordingly
- Rinse cave thoroughly if using additives like liquid calcium in the water
- Check that pets can easily access cave entrance and add additional accessories like vines or ladders if needed
- Unplug pump and use air hose to clean inside tubing if debris is visible
With proper care, the Zilla Spring Cave can provide a visually appealing waterfall effect and suitable drinking source for hydration loving amphibians and reptiles. Just be prepared for the initial cleaning and maintain vigilant monitoring to maximize lifespan.
Is the Zilla Spring Cave Worth the Price?
Given its affordability and useful features, the Zilla Spring Cave provides decent value:
Positives
- Low price point under $50
- Multi-functional decor, water source, feeding dish, and hide
- Quality construction and materials
Negatives
- Strong chemical smell out of packaging
- Pump requires frequent cleaning from clogs
- Always on blue light may be unwanted
For the budget conscious herpetology hobbyist, the Zilla Spring Cave checks a lot of boxes for a single decorative piece. With some initial work to eliminate odors and ongoing maintenance to prevent pump issues, it can be a worthy terrarium addition.
Just weigh the benefits versus shortcomings carefully beforehand. And consider your specific pet’s tastes and environment. The cave may be perfect for a tropical gecko enclosure. But arid loving desert species may not utilize it as well.
Final Verdict: A “Good” Choice with Some Caveats
In the end, I would rate the Zilla Spring Cave as GOOD for what it aims to accomplish but not perfect.
The natural design, drinking water source, humid hideout, blue night light, and included feeding dish are all useful features. This is a good decor pick for the right reptile or amphibian pet and terrarium setup.
However, the bothersome chemical smell, easily clogged low-power pump, always on LED light, and tedious cleaning means this product still leaves a bit to be desired. Some improvements by Zilla could make the Spring Cave great rather than just good.
So if you go into the purchase eyes wide open about the pros and cons, the Zilla Spring Cave can be a fun addition to your herpetoculture collection. Just be ready to put in the initial work to maximize its potential benefits long term.
