The Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cage Hideout is a good quality product which can be used to decorate your amphibian and reptile enclosures, along with aquariums.
This décor provides decoration, hiding, and a basking platform in one. It encourages climbing and is a realistic rock formation design.
Pros
- Can be used in wet and dry environments
- Provides a hiding place for your pet, reducing stress
- Hand-painted for realistic design
- Encourages climbing with ledges and steps
- Mimic natural habitat
- Available in 3 sizes
Cons
- Inside has sharp edges which need to be sanded down to make it safe for your pet
- Take careful note of measurements as appears smaller on arrival than in the product description
Design and Features
The Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout is natural in design.
A lot of attention has gone into the design to provide an excellent hideout for your fish, reptile, or amphibian.
The hideout has been designed with steps for easy climbing, along with holes for hiding.
Painted with care to create a natural-looking design in your enclosure.
This step ledge and hideout is made from non-toxic poly resin and is available in three sizes to ensure you find one the perfect size to decorate your pet enclosure with confidence.
The design offers a multi-functional decoration that incorporates ledges and steps to encourage climbing with holes for hiding, reducing stress.
Use the decoration for hiding and as a basking platform, placing it under the basking light so your reptile can soak up the heat.
Does the ledge float on water?
Made from strong non-toxic resin, the ledge and hideout can be used in your terrarium, placed on your substrate on the warm side of the enclosure, or it can be used in your aquarium.
The weight of the ledge and hideout will keep the decoration on the bottom of the tank, giving your fish a place to explore and hide.
What Size Do You Need?
The Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout comes in three sizes measured in depth x width x height.
| Header |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
|---|---|---|---|
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Size | 3.5” x 7.75” x 2” | 7” x 8” x 3.25” | 8.25” x 11” x 4” |
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Tank Size | 10 gallon | 20 gallon | 20 gallon or more |
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Suitable For | small tropical fish | small reptiles, such as leopard geckos and amphibians | geckos, small snakes, and small salamanders |
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Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Parts and Accessories
The Pann-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout is an all in one decoration design, which shouldn’t need any other accessories.
Due to the fact that the underside and inside of this decoration tend to have sharp edges, you may want to consider some sandpaper or a file to carefully file away and smooth the edges to reduce the risk of your pet being cut and injured when using this product.
3M Precision Pro Grade Reusable Kit
The 3M Precision Pro Grade Reusable Kit is a reusable sandpaper kit that can handle the toughest of jobs and comes complete with a sanding tool for a secure fit.
It is designed for a fast paper attachment and removal with a limited mess.
KSEIBI Metal File Set
Metal files are also excellent at removing and smoothing edges. This KSEIBI Metal File Set includes a heat-treated carbon steel file with high impact handles offering half round, round, and shoe rasps. Use the entire length of the file for the best results.
Usage and Maintenance
This is an easy to use decorative item. When used in a reptile terrarium, it’s best used as your warm hide and basking area.
Place directly below your basking lamp to provide your pet with an area where they can soak up the heat.
Sharp edges can be dangerous to your pet, causing injury. Prevention is better than cure. Check the product for any sharp edges.
It’s recommended you file or sand away these sharp edges to create a smooth finish that will not cause injury to your pet.
Fish Tanks
You don’t want to introduce soap into your aquarium, but you do want to give the décor a good clean before introducing it to your tank.
You can start by soaking it in water to loosen any dirt and debris. A small brush (a toothbrush or nail brush) can be used to brush off any dirt.
Always rinse thoroughly before introducing it to the tank.
Reptiles and Amphibians
When it comes to your reptile or amphibian pet you want to introduce a clean hide and ledge for them to use.
Washing the décor is a good idea, though a very mild soapy solution should be used and the product should be rinsed until the water runs clean.
You can use a reptile cleaner, such as Fluker’s Super Scrub Organic Reptile Habitat Cleaner, which is natural, safe, and easy to use.
This cleaner naturally dissolves dirt and grime. It can be used to clean the enclosure, decorations, branches, bowls, and more.
How Often Do I Need to Clean the Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout?
You should conduct daily and weekly cleans of your enclosure. Daily cleans are looking for uneaten food and mess. It’s recommended to check inside the cave daily for any hidden crickets.
The step ledge and cave hideout should be thoroughly cleaned with a good quality reptile disinfectant at least once a month. You can do this at the same time you do a thorough tank clean.
Is This a Good Value Product?
The Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout offers a multi-functional decorative item for your terrarium. It offers a place to climb and explore, to bask in the sunlight, and to hide when the reptile feels stressed.
The downside is the sharp edges, but this can be smoothed down with ease. Simply file or sand the sharp edges to create smooth rounded ends, which is much safer and reduces the risk of injury.
This product is suitable for reptiles, amphibians, and fish and is suitable for beginner and advanced hobbyists who want to create a comfortable and natural environment for their pets.
Summary
The Penn-Plax Shale Step Ledge and Cave Hideout is a decent quality product that provides a hide and basking area at a competitive price.