Monster Cages or Animal Plastics?

[ShamelessAardvark]

Basically what the title says. I'm trying to decide which I want to buy from, but I can't find any good reviews. Eventually I'm going to have to move my hogg island boa into a bigger, more permanent enclosure (he's currently in a 41qt tall tub), but I want to be cost-effective while doing so.

I'm looking at Animal Plastics and Monster Cages, and both offer the 48x30x18 (although AP offers sliding glass and acrylic doors, while MC only offers hinged.) AP seems to be much more customizable, but way more expensive, especially when you start to add the flexwatt, lock and key, and other accessories that may be deemed necessary. I can afford either, and I won't be needing to for a while, but if I can avoid a huge receipt I will (unless a big receipt means the absolute best for my animals, of course.)

If anyone has experience with one or both of these companies (both the products and customer service), please, feel free to share!

[The Serpent Merchant]

AP cages are far superiour in design and quality to monster cages... But that does come at a higher cost.

Check out this thread I wrote on AP cages:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

AP's customer service can't be beat.

[ShamelessAardvark]

AP cages are far superiour in design and quality to monster cages... But that does come at a higher cost.

...

AP's customer service can't be beat.

But I assume, of course, that it's worth the higher cost. Which, if it is, I'm definitely willing to pay more. (Plus I'm loving the fact that they come disassembled, shipping to Alaska is no joke. If I can save money there, you bet I will, lol.)

I'm curious about the radiant heat panels... Considering that I plan on using aspen for a substrate, would the RHP work better than flexwatt?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Yes a RHP will work better, and they are most certainly worth the cost.

[Mike41793]

Do rhp's go on the bottom too? Or do they get mounted on the inside of the tank and raise ambient temps? Or do they creat a hotspot?

[Vypyrz]

Do rhp's go on the bottom too? Or do they get mounted on the inside of the tank and raise ambient temps? Or do they creat a hotspot?

RHP's are mounted inside the tank to the top. They use infrared heat to raise the surface temps of perches, hides, and substrate, but do not do too much for actual air temp, except right near it. Think about it like the sun on a cool Spring day. The air temp can be kind of chilly, but the surfaces that the sun is shinning on can be quite warm...

[Vypyrz]

I'm curious about the radiant heat panels... Considering that I plan on using aspen for a substrate, would the RHP work better than flexwatt?

For an 18" tall cage in Alaska, I would recommend outfitting the cage with both. I would rather have the option and not need it, than not have it and mess with installing it later.

Are AP and MC the only manufacturers that you have looked at?

[Helifreak]

I have two AP T8 cages - with sliding glass doors and dividers for each - I currently have two Ball Pythons in one and two cornsnakes in the other.

I can not speak highly enough of the quality of Animal Plastics. They are super easy to put together and the fit is impeccable. Definitely in a league above ready-to-assemble furniture you may be use to (like Ikea or Target).

I am using UTH on a thermostat along with surface mount halogen lighting inside the cage. The halogen lighting is on timers, and is installed right above basking areas.

[ShamelessAardvark]

For an 18" tall cage in Alaska, I would recommend outfitting the cage with both. I would rather have the option and not need it, than not have it and mess with installing it later.

Are AP and MC the only manufacturers that you have looked at?

I keep my room pretty warm, as I have two snake racks and the gecko (tokay) in my room. We also keep the temps around 70~F in the winter. The boa's enclosure won't be by a window.

Yes, they were the only ones I looked into. I couldn't find any from Reptile Basics, and I couldn't think of anywhere else to look (it was like, 2am when I was shopping, lol)

[The Serpent Merchant]

Reptile basics stopped making PVC cages, they only make racks now.