Plastic Cages vs Tanks

I am currently working on setting up a 20L tank and it is turning into a headache getting the temps and humidity right.

I am currently looking at the following
Boaphile 221D - $200
Animal Plastics T3- $175 (this is on sale and larger)

Will I have the same headaches heating these and keeping humidity up as I am in the 20L tank?

Also what would be recommended to heat these other than flexwatt pre-installed on the bottoms? This is for a Ball Python and ambient room temps are between 70-75

What benefits do each type of cages have?

What are you heating your 20L tank with now thats giving you trouble? I believe the two tanks your looking at are both plastic and not glass so keeping the temps/humidity right should be easier.

Ambient room temp will play a roll in your temps in the cages, regardless of material.


What species are you keeping that require a 4ft cage?

I'd just get a tub for $5-$10. I love tubs, they keeps temps and humidity levels perfect once you get everything set up correctly. Though they may not look the best, they are very convienient.

Rack's are better IMO. But like Rich said room temp, will play a roll in both, as will humidity in the room they are kept in. I run a humidifier in the winter, and a heater as needed.:snake:

The T3 with a RHP and a quality thermostat would be a great setup for a adult BP.

Reptile Basics, Helix, and Pro-Products all make RHP's. Call them up tell them the cage size,cage material , ambient temps and they will reccomend a panel for your needs.

Custom enclosures are the only type that can with some efficiently be set up to control ambient air temps and hot and cool temps Tubs loose heat so fast that ambient and cool side will be the same as the room racks are slightly better but not much and tanks next and a well designed custom is the best. I have all of the above and all in a room that is at the warmest 75ºF. From experience the custom enclosures hold heat better and longer and with the addition of a light hold ambient air temps very well too. Humidity is just a matter of balance of water bowl and air movement. I believe that restricting air flow to increase humidity is a needless risk of health it all comes down to bowl and placement. I feel that if the bowl is removed the humidity in a few hours should be the same as the room, if not it is the exhaled breath increasing humidity and I would suggest that is not enough ventilation.