Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Large Review

Ratmosphere

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Today I will be reviewing the Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Large. This is a very nice acrylic enclosure that has dimensions of 8" x 8" x 12". In comparison to something like an Exo Terra Nano with similar dimensions, this enclosure actually measures what is says it is. Exo Terra Nanos are actually closer to 13" while this acrylic enclosure is a true 12" in height. This is helpful if you are picking out shelving options with specific measurements. The Treehouse Switch Large enclosure weighs 3.90 pounds when empty, and the Exo Terra Nano weighs 7.26 pounds when empty.

It features a magnetic lid which feels very secure when the magnets align into place. I chose the maximum ventilation option for the lid. This magnetic lid is very convenient for access behind the cork bark or however you set it up. The lid also is very convenient for breeding purposes. The front features a magnetic sliding door which is also secure.

The enclosure features 2mm air holes providing cross ventilation, which is great for Avics/Caribena and many other arboreal tarantulas. The acrylic is super clean and this enclosure looks very nice on my shelves. However, there are some things I do not like about this enclosure.

There are options to put magnetic backgrounds of different colors in the back of this enclosure. Because of this, there are 4 magnets on the back. I personally hate this feature, since I got the clear version and really wish these magnets weren't there. It takes away from how clean the enclosure looks. Another con would be scratching. Acrylic scratches very easily, so over time the look of the enclosure might look dated with a "cloudy" appearance if it gets scratched too much. Just ensure to clean this enclosure with dish soap and a non abrasive cloth. Finally, as we all know, magnets get weaker over time which could cause some issues somewhere down the line.

Overall I really do like this enclosure, and it matches all of my other AMAC style boxes giving my collection a clean and organized appearance. I will be giving this enclosure a 8/10 rating, mostly because of the 4 magnets on the back. If it didn't have that, the rating would be at least a 9. It suits my needs well, and I most definitely will buy a few more.

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viper69

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Did they give this to you Corporate Shill!? :troll:

Magnets 🤮

Glass weight 🤮

Glass no scratch/ easier to clean 😀

I own both types, neither is perfect. But cleaning glass is ALWAYS better
 

Ratmosphere

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No sir, they did not give me this haha, I wish! I bought it and really like it. Not a lot of Tarantula Cribs product reviews online so I thought I'd give my opinion. Maybe it could help someone out.

Exo Terra isn't even bad, they are really nice and I have a ton. I do prefer this style though.
 

TheraMygale

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We can’t buy these in Canada unless going through certain dealers.

I wish Tarantula Cribs provided their own Canadian dealings. Aka, buying from them and not an affiliate.

I will always have mixed views with acrylic as they are never giving what you get with glass. That being said, being the naive human i am, i would trust them over others since they have TARANTULA in the title.

They have been around for a few years, enough to get a fan base. I definitely prefer their appearance over anything else.

Since im in Canada and we pay way more, i can’t afford these products.

But i want to love these products. They seem to have the same equal balance pros and cons with faunariums, while ALWAYS looking better. And having size appropriate enclosures.

People in Canada want to love these. So i will speak for every Canadian, egoisticaly: we want the Cribs. At Par? Direct business?

I have a huge basement space if you need warehouse room. No charge.

What i dont like: going in a store that pushes another brand over this one, with no true arguement.
 
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katamari

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Thanks for taking the time to post the review. We just got our first TC enclosures, I can see why they're popular. They are not cheap though. 😬
 

Spifdar

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We can’t buy these in Canada unless going through certain dealers.
I saw that they ship internationally and to Canada if you order off their website--is it the import tax that's a problem? Or just wanting to see the enclosure in person before purchase? Reason I'm curious is I was debating ordering one internationally myself, to Europe, at one point--but if there's issues with international shipping I'd like to know!

In any case, thanks for the review, Ratmosphere! I do like that their enclosures seem to have acrylic thick enough that it won't warp over time, making those messy little gaps the tarantulas can push through to escape. Cheaper enclosures are dangerous that way, even if they're also attractive.
 

Ramen

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Makes me want a few lol. Nice review broski
 

TheraMygale

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I saw that they ship internationally and to Canada if you order off their website--is it the import tax that's a problem? Or just wanting to see the enclosure in person before purchase? Reason I'm curious is I was debating ordering one internationally myself, to Europe, at one point--but if there's issues with international shipping I'd like to know!

In any case, thanks for the review, Ratmosphere! I do like that their enclosures seem to have acrylic thick enough that it won't warp over time, making those messy little gaps the tarantulas can push through to escape. Cheaper enclosures are dangerous that way, even if they're also attractive.
exactly. The taxes, the shipping, the exchange rate, the duty.

what starts out to be a 100$ enclosure soon becomes 200$.

i also like to see the enclosures in person.

i am lucky that i can go in a store and see some models. I just didnt like my experience in the store selling them. Which has nothing to do with the brand.
 

Ratmosphere

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exactly. The taxes, the shipping, the exchange rate, the duty.

what starts out to be a 100$ enclosure soon becomes 200$.

i also like to see the enclosures in person.

i am lucky that i can go in a store and see some models. I just didnt like my experience in the store selling them. Which has nothing to do with the brand.
Any expos near you? I see certain models popping up at expos near me, but I am based in the USA.
 

batsybats

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Thank you for the review! As someone in Scotland, there's no expos near me so every online review means a lot
 

TheraMygale

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Any expos near you? I see certain models popping up at expos near me, but I am based in the USA.
yes.

mostly reptile expos.

there is ONE invert expo. I mean, there was one. Now there are two, and its complicated because they were both booked on same weekend 🙄

so i am going to neither. If my dealer isnt at an expo, i wont go.

we are still a small population in Quebec. And even in Canada, we have limited dealers and breeders. So some people get a hold of certain things. It becomes like a “territory war”.

i dont like politics in my “hobbies”. And i don’t like it when only one group of people hold all the rights to something or what not. Like hydro electricity. Or liquor store SAQ. Its smells bad to me.
 

Brewser

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Premium Pet Penthouse ;)
 
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katamari

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I finally have one of our TC enclosures set up, and I agree with everything in your review. Mine is the 6"x6"x9" Canopy Enclosure.

The magnetic backgrounds suck but I don't really find the magnets themselves intrusive. The overlays themselves are tacky sparkly things that just are not my cup of tea. At least offer a solid grey, black or white option. Other than that it's a beautiful enclosure.

The door is very secure when the magnets are in place. I have to get a real good grip to fight against the magnets, and if I'm not careful closing it, it will violently snap into place. Way overkill for the Regal jumper I've got in mine, but it's nice knowing it's secure.

All the "seams" of the enclosure seem to be well-sealed as well - I feel fairly confident a clutch of jumper spoodlings could hatch in here and not escape.

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^ She claimed that front corner and started webbing up really quickly
 

ThatsUnpossible

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Thank you for the review! As someone in Scotland, there's no expos near me so every online review means a lot
There's usually an Invert Show in Glasgow in August. It's not huge and I don't think this particular brand of enclosure would be sold there, but it's worth visiting if you're not too far away.
 

Ratmosphere

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Another thing I'd like to address is the magnet strength on the lid. As we know, a good amount of arboreals will web at the highest point of the enclosure. This could make opening the top challenging, since you will be ripping the spiders web up. That is, if they do decide to web up there. If you do need to take the lid off, do so carefully. The magnets are pretty strong and lock into place quickly when they are all aligned. You would not want to accidently close it on the spider.
 

goofyGoober99

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People in Canada want to love these. So i will speak for every Canadian, egoisticaly: we want the Cribs. At Par? Direct business?
There's one seller who has them in Canada for a bit cheaper but the selection is small and the seller has... interesting reviews?
I would love if they were easier to get up here. I don't have very many spiders so I don't mind spending a bit more on enclosures but the shipping costs are brutal.
 
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