How to set up a PVC cage (AP T8) With Pictures!

Thank you Spikell! Guess I could've thought of that....brain fart!

Just wanted to add this for people who get LED lights installed. Next time I'll probably just order the different colors from amazon and install it myself but if anyone is looking for an on/off switch and/or dimmer I just got this one today. It's cheap but it gets the job done. http://www.amazon.com/TORCHSTAR-DC-1...ilpage_o00_s01

That is one cool looking cage. I am getting my snake a new enclosure for Christmas and I haven't made up what type yet. I have a 125 gallon aquarium left over from when we raised fish so I thought I would probably go with that since he is living in a 55 gallon tank right now... but would have to buy all new stuff for it anyway. Your PVC cage looks so awesome that the scales are tipping that way. Are they really expensive and is the upkeep much harder? Thanks, elysheva

AP is having a sale on T8s right now... debating on if I want to get one or see if I can build a bigger one for the same price or less. There is something to be said about it arriving and then 10 minutes later its together...

That sounds good, Scotty. How long does the sale last?
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Marius from Interior decoration

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Originally Posted by ScottyDsntKnow

AP is having a sale on T8s right now... debating on if I want to get one or see if I can build a bigger one for the same price or less. There is something to be said about it arriving and then 10 minutes later its together...

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Can you build a PVC cage the size of a T8 for less than $150? Yes, if you can find a source for the doors. I had trouble finding glass doors that were the same quality and had smooth edges. I could not get those locally. If you build it yourself, will it be just as good as the AP T8? Unless you're using a CNC machine and/or have build things like this before, NO.

My opinion, if you don't mind the 3-4 week wait, order one from AP. I did, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

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Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

Can you build a PVC cage the size of a T8 for less than $150? Yes, if you can find a source for the doors. I had trouble finding glass doors that were the same quality and had smooth edges. I could not get those locally. If you build it yourself, will it be just as good as the AP T8? Unless you're using a CNC machine and/or have build things like this before, NO.

My opinion, if you don't mind the 3-4 week wait, order one from AP. I did, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

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Well I'm going to give it a shot but going to try to make a cage like a Proline which is just tongue and groove cuts which I can do no problem. And HD has a piece of 24x48" plex that looks like it will work and that will make two doors when cut in half. Priced everything out for a single cage well under $150 actually. I should be able to make two for $200. Here's hoping...

I have my first T8 ordered, and am looking at what to set it on. I have in my garage a piece of cabinetry with countertop on it that use to hold a sink, which I am thinking of converting to a stand/table. It has cabinet doors in front where I could store cleaning supplies and such. I need to put a new top on it since currently it has a big hole where the sink was, and that's where my question comes in. The T8 is going to have heat tape on the bottom, and I need to know if I should do anything different than just setting the cage directly atop the wooden top (which I will build) of the stand? I am both thinking of safety, as in the wood potentially getting too hot, (although Herpstat should prevent heat tape failing in the "on" state, so maybe shouldn't be an issue?) as well as how to best direct the heat up into the cage. Like, should there be some kind of reflective or insulating layer between the cage and the stand. If my questions seem dumb, it's because I've only had my BP a few months and my only experience so far with under tank heating is the smallest UTH produced, very low wattage, and it's currently on a ceramic tile countertop. So I don't really know how much a heat-taped T8 bottom actually heats up.

Old thread I know, but hoping someone can tell me how the lighting is mounted if it's desired. I know AP pre drills holes for the cords but do they install light fixtures too?

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Originally Posted by Mangiapane85

Old thread I know, but hoping someone can tell me how the lighting is mounted if it's desired. I know AP pre drills holes for the cords but do they install light fixtures too?

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You can order with a light fixture, they'll predrill a hole for the cord, and the holes to mount it. You'll just have to do it when you're assembling.