Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit: A Comprehensive Review for Reptile Owners

The Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit is an all-in-one starter kit designed to create a naturalistic habitat for small, tropical tree-dwelling reptiles like geckos, anoles, and chameleons. In this comprehensive review we’ll take an in-depth look at what’s included in the kit, its key features and benefits, who it’s best suited for, and whether it offers good overall value. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit before making a purchase!

Overview of the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit

The Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit includes a 12” x 12” x 18” glass terrarium with front-opening doors, a locking latch, and a hinged screen top to prevent escapes The kit comes complete with a textured foam backdrop, halogen dome lamp, mini halogen bulb, temperature and humidity gauges, a coconut husk substrate brick, and a terrarium dish for food and water

The unique vertical orientation of this kit is designed to mimic the natural arboreal habitats of small tropical reptiles. The front-opening doors provide easy access for maintenance and feeding, while the screen top and locking latch help contain inquisitive climbers. Overall, the kit aims to provide an easy-to-assemble, entry-level habitat with many of the essential elements needed to house small arboreal reptiles.

Key Features and Benefits

Spacious Vertical Terrarium

The main component of the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit is the generously sized 12” x 12” x 18” glass terrarium. The extra height is perfect for accommodating natural perches, branches, and foliage for species that like to climb and explore vertical space. The front-opening doors make access straightforward for cleaning and feeding.

Hinged Screen Top

The hinged screen top allows for airflow while preventing escapes. Small reptiles like geckos can be quick and tricky to re-capture if they find a way out of their enclosure. The screen top provides an important additional security measure.

Halogen Heat Source

The kit includes a halogen heat dome and bulb which focus warmth down into the terrarium, creating a basking area for thermoregulation. The dome reflects heat and light to provide a bright, localized temperature gradient.

Temperature and Humidity Gauges

It’s essential to monitor temperature and humidity ranges in a tropical terrarium. The included analog gauges help ensure you maintain appropriate environmental parameters for tropical species.

Decorative Backdrop

A realistic backdrop improves the aesthetic look of the habitat while also providing a sense of additional security and opportunities to climb and explore along the textured surface.

Coconut Husk Substrate

The coconut husk substrate brick provides a naturalistic, humidity-retaining substrate once hydrated. This helps establish appropriate conditions for tropical species that require higher humidity.

Complete Habitat in One Box

Everything needed to set up a basic habitat is included in one convenient kit. This saves reptile owners time and money compared to sourcing all the components separately. Great for beginners looking for an all-in-one habitat solution.

Ideal Species for the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit

The Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit is designed with small, tropical, arboreal reptiles in mind. Here are some species that would thrive in this starter kit habitat:

• Crested Geckos
• Day Geckos
• Anoles
• Green Tree Frogs
• Reed Frogs
• Chameleons
• Green Anoles
• House Geckos

The vertically oriented space filled with branches and foliage caters perfectly to these types of species. The humidity-retaining substrate establishes ideal conditions for tropical reptiles and amphibians.

Ease of Assembly and Usage

One of the major benefits of an all-in-one kit is that it takes a lot of guesswork out of the habitat setup process. The Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit includes an instructions guide that walks new owners through constructing and preparing the habitat.

With clear directions, the entire assembly can be completed in around 30 minutes or less. Ongoing usage is also straightforward – the front doors provide easy access for maintenance, feeding, misting, and other care tasks. The components are simple to use while still providing key functionality.

Product Quality and Durability

Based on customer reviews and my own experience, the general product quality and durability of the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit components is quite reasonable for an entry-level habitat kit.

The glass terrarium itself seems durable and unlikely to chip or crack under normal use. The screen top and halogen dome are also decently made and should hold up well over time. The textured backdrop looks realistic and adheres nicely inside the tank.

There are some reports of the analog gauges losing accuracy over time. And the included decor, dishes, and accessories likely won’t stand up to heavy use as well as more premium options. But overall, the quality is totally satisfactory for getting started.

Cost and Value Analysis

With an MSRP of $99, the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit provides respectable value given everything that’s included. Purchasing all the components separately could easily cost $140 or more. For beginners who want an easy all-in-one setup without breaking the bank, this kit is a great value choice.

More advanced hobbyists may want to upgrade some of the included fixtures and accessories down the line. But the terrarium itself has long-term usefulness, so the initial investment goes a long way. Overall, it’s one of the more competitively priced complete habitat kits in its size class.

Pros and Cons of the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit

Pros

• Complete habitat in one box
• Vertical design great for arboreal species
• Generously sized terrarium
• Hinged screen top prevents escapes
• Halogen dome for heat and light
• Includes backdrop, substrate, dishes
• Easy to assemble and use
• Clear instructions guide
• Reasonable quality and durability
• Good value for a starter kit

Cons

• Analog gauges may lose accuracy over time
• Decor and accessories are lower quality
• Only suitable for smaller tropical species
• Lighting/heating may require supplemental components
• No substrate barrier for full bioactive setup

For those looking to create their first naturalistic habitat for a small tropical gecko or other arboreal reptile, the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit deserves strong consideration.

It simplifies the setup process while still providing a vertically oriented terrarium loaded with essential habitat features at a reasonable price point. While more advanced hobbyists may eventually seek upgrades, it’s an excellent starter kit that will get beginners off to the right start.

The generous 12” x 12” x 18” terrarium with front-opening doors grants ample space for a variety of small climbing species to thrive. Add in the coconut husk substrate, halogen dome, backdrop, gauges, and other accessories, and you have an all-in-one kit that takes the guesswork and hassle out of putting together a complete habitat.

Overall, the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit eliminates the stress of piecing together a custom setup. For keepers looking for an affordable, vertically oriented, ready-to-assemble habitat that caters well to arboreal geckos, anoles, and other tropical climbing species, it’s definitely worth considering. Just be prepared to supplement and eventually upgrade some components for optimal performance. But out of the box, it has everything needed to hit the ground running with a high quality, naturalistic home for small tropical reptiles.