Question about Acrylic Enclosures

[cheryls]

I need to get a new enclosure for by bp. He's outgrowing his tank and with bigger hides, there's no room at all in there! I know and have read that tubs are best - but I only have one snake and I really like looking into the enclosure.

So, I started looking at acrylic enclosures. Would they hold humidity and heat like a tub? What's the best way to heat an acrylic enclosure?

Any thoughts on good ones...or bargains?

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I got 3 acrylic 36x18x12 acrylic enclosures from

http://www.glasscages.com/

They are pretty good quality, I head them with a heat pad on the back and underneath.

JonV

[cheryls]

Do they hold humidity well? Do you use a UTH on the back or some other kind of heat pad? Do you have a top for it?

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I picked up a screen top from an online pet supply...the 36 x 18 is a pretty common size. I believe the website also sells the tops. It's a bit of a pain because you have to use clamps to keep the screen tops in place.

The screen top doesn't hold humidity at all. I covered the back, the bottom, and the top with insulative material. I left a 2" gap on the top for air exchange. I placed one 8 watt UTH under the enclosure kept at a fixed 88-90 degrees for belly heat, and I put a larger radiant panel on the outside of the back of the enclosure (but inside the insulative material) hooked up to a helix DBS.

For me, it was a lot of hassle taking those clamps off all the time, but it did look nice I must say.

JonV

[SatanicIntention]

Why not just get a PVC cage? 3 solid sides and a glass or plexiglas front. Holds heat and humidity easily and helps the snake feel not so exposed.

Animal Plastics
RBI Plastics
Herpenclosures
Boaphile
etc

[cheryls]

Is there a company you'd recommend for a PVC enclosure?

[cheryls]

woops! I see you posted some places to get them! Thank you.

[chetman7]

I have also been looking at cages. The only thing that turning me off are the sizes, 2 foot wide cages are killing me, got no room for that

[SatanicIntention]

Just call and ask. Usually they will make custom sizes if you ask. You could probably get 18" wide or something like that if needed.

[Argentra]

I tried an experiment last night and 'self designed' a 36"x18"x12" reptile cage at CagesByDesign. No frills, solid cage, acrylic doors. Came to $206 and $35 shipping.

I also have not got the space for 2' wide cages. I have one 4x2 from RBI and it's great...but huge! So I don't plan on having anymore like it.
But, since I found a 30gal tank with slide/lock top on the List for $50, I plan to put that into use instead and just build my own 3x2 cages when the youngsters are bigger.

Sorry for the rant, I'm worked up because I finished a major project for Animal Behavior class three days early!