Plastic cage questions....

[therecordingart]

Hello all...first time poster. I did do a search, but I have more specific questions than what I've found...

I've had my 10 year old ball python since he was a hatchling, and he currently lives in a 40 breeder glass terrarium. I've always had issues with keeping the temps stable in the winter, keeping the humidity up, and keeping it spotless because it is heavy and akward.

I've been looking into plastic cages (Animal Plastics, Showcase, Boaphile, etc), but my concerns are with lighting and heating. I currently use heat lamps on faders with digital thermometers on each side of the enclosure.

I'm not too familiar with heat tape, heat rope, or anything other than the overhead heat lamps so I'm worried I won't be able to keep the enclosure warm enough. I also like keeping him on steady photo cycles because I've noticed that he'll start refusing meals when his photo cycles are off (long story).

Can someone help me with selecting a good enclosure? Here are my requirement....

-Something that I can keep warm in a room that can dip under 70 degrees at times.
-Something that can have lighting
-Something that isn't too heavy so I can lug it downstairs to hose out and sanitize.
-Something that looks good.
-I'd like to stay under $300 for the caging and all accessories (minus hide boxes, thermometers, and dishes)

Thank you so much...I'm loving this community!

[dsirkle]

Any plastic cage can have a light installed in it if you want one. A radiant heat panel will keep your cage at the right temperature in a room that dips under 70 degrees though many will tell you that a UTH is superior because snakes aren't accustomed to heat from above in a natural setting. But to me it is a good choice if you live where the winter is cold and keeping room or ambient home temperature up high is too costly. Check the FAQ at www.reptilebasics.com for the answers to all these questions.

[starmom]

Reptile Basics 3x2x1 cage: http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html.

If your ambient temps are an issue, the radiant heat panel would work well. They affix to the top (inside) of the cage and work very very well. You will need a thermostat to control the RHP, as you would need one for the flex watt or heat cable.

Rich (the owner extraordinaire) can install a light for you so that you can use it to look inside while cleaning and during the daytime.

I beleive these cages look good and they are easily luggable Also, Rich offers free shipping! He has awesome products and is always easily reached by phone or email to answer any questions and/or concerns.

I highly recommend these cages!! I have 6 of them!!

[starmom]

Any plastic cage can have a light installed in it if you want one. A radiant heat panel will keep your cage at the right temperature in a room that dips under 70 degrees though many will tell you that a UTH is superior because snakes aren't accustomed to heat from above in a natural setting. But to me it is a good choice if you live where the winter is cold and keeping room or ambient home temperature up high is too costly. Check the FAQ at www.reptilebasics.com for the answers to all these questions.

My RHP's from RBI do heat things below!! They mimic the sun in that way and so (I feel) are very natural for a snake. They are rockin' units!

[dsirkle]

But do you have 3 straight months where you have to run a furnace to heat your house? I agree that flexwatt is better all the way around if your herp room stays always above 72 degrees or so. EDIT Starmom- I misread your post. I thought that you were talking about the RBI flexwatt offered in their cages.

[therecordingart]

Thank you so much! I'm going to send him an e-mail to discuss some options.

Now that I've re-read my post I kinda give the impression that I have a neglected ball python which is not the case. I just have to work twice as hard than the folks that have a more manageable setup. He is happy as a clam (from what he tells me).

[therecordingart]

But do you have 3 straight months where you have to run a furnace to heat your house? I agree that flexwatt is better all the way around if your herp room stays always above 72 degrees or so. EDIT Starmom- I misread your post. I thought that you were talking about the RBI flexwatt offered in their cages.

Yes. We have probably 4 or 5 months when our furnace will run. Gas prices are high and our place has cathedral ceilings so it's difficult to heat our home.

I want to get my setup as efficient as possible.

[dsirkle]

Reptile basics cages are light enough to carry. You can order a built in light with it. you can choose your heat source. And they should work within the price range that you mentioned. I have one of them. Starmom has several. Smart people buy lots of the same kind of cages for easy stacking. Dummies like me have to buy one cage from each maker to try them out.

[therecordingart]

Reptile basics cages are light enough to carry. You can order a built in light with it. you can choose your heat source. And they should work within the price range that you mentioned. I have one of them. Starmom has several. Smart people buylots of the same kind of cages for easy stacking. Dummies like me have to buy one cage from each maker to try them out.

Haha...

I have a leopard gecko that I'm going to be outfitting with a new home after my ball python. I'm probably going to be doing the same.

[starmom]

Reptile basics cages are light enough to carry. You can order a built in light with it. you can choose your heat source. And they should work within the price range that you mentioned. I have one of them. Starmom has several. Smart people buy lots of the same kind of cages for easy stacking. Dummies like me have to buy one cage from each maker to try them out.

Silly Dale!!
I live in the high desert of Central Oregon, in Bend, and our night temps are always low (summer= 40, winter= colder than witches...well...umm....very cold!) We run our furnace a lot!! We're already running each night and will run it in the day from about October through April or May. My ambient temps were a nightmare!! I couldn't make the flex watt go high enough to heat the air without burning the snake

Enter the radiant heat panel (cue Celestial Choir ) Problems solved- just that easily. Balls and boas digest and they tell of their exquisite delight over their digs heated from above (cue the choir again)!! Yeah, well, anyway, it's all good.

Glad you're calling Rich!! Tell him I said hello; I just love that guy!!