which terra is the best

I'm currently torn between animal plastics, vision products, and showcase cages and would like to know your opinion. which cages would be best for a ball python, I'm talking longevity, weight, ease of cleaning, firehazard, considering the prices, and how good the companies service is. On the subject of price I'd like to consider the buying of extra features such as the lighting, heating, and locking system that must be purchased separately. I would love to hear your experiences and reviews for these products.

I use AP cages. I chose them over the other companies because I feel that their product has a better design, and is a better value for money.

I really don't like the design of Vision cages. They are harder to heat than the other companies cages.

Showcase cages are horrendously overpriced. They have nice aesthetics, but they cost way too much for not offering anything that AP doesn't for less money.

AP has the most options in terms of cage sizes, and extras. plus they are willing to customize cages often at no additional cost. Their cages are also the only one you listed that can be dissembled which makes moving with them much easier if you have a bunch like I do. And to top it all off their customer service is second to none.

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Originally Posted by Faolan

I'm currently torn between animal plastics, vision products, and showcase cages and would like to know your opinion. which cages would be best for a ball python, I'm talking longevity, weight, ease of cleaning, firehazard, considering the prices, and how good the companies service is. On the subject of price I'd like to consider the buying of extra features such as the lighting, heating, and locking system that must be purchased separately. I would love to hear your experiences and reviews for these products.

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Go for AP! They have everything you're looking for and will give you the best bang for your buck.

Sent from my Huawei Y301A1 using Tapatalk

I've searched everywhere on their website and can't find anything like it. am i missing something? do their cages not have holes for light of air? can you send me a link cuz i might be looking at the wrong animal plastic snake cage website. thanks.

http://www.apcages.com/

I too really like the AP cages: they have air vents on the sides and back (the T8s)

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Originally Posted by Faolan

I've searched everywhere on their website and can't find anything like it. am i missing something? do their cages not have holes for light of air? can you send me a link cuz i might be looking at the wrong animal plastic snake cage website. thanks.

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Here is a threads that goes over AP cages in detail:

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

This is a AP T8 (Terrestrial Series)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...0.jpg~original

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...2.jpg~original

You can have AP install some screens for ventilation/lamp fixtures:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...2.jpg~original

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...5.jpg~original

Here is a T12 and a T8 stacked:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...f.jpg~original

what about the light fixtures and tubes for the humidifiers? I can't see where those go.

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Originally Posted by Faolan

what about the light fixtures and tubes for the humidifiers? I can't see where those go.

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Copied from your other thread:


I use the glass sliding doors. I've had the cages for a few years now and haven't had an issue yet with them sticking. AP uses much thicker plastic then most other cage manufactures. Their cages are extremely robust and are built to last. I can stand on top of my AP cages.

With plastic cages you really aren't going to be using misting systems/lights. They offer the option to have screens installed if you really want to use them, but most of the time they aren't necessary. I usually have issues with my humidity being too high not too low, and I almost never have to mist my cages. As for heat lamps Those really aren't going to be necessary either. A combination of heat tape and radiant heat panels is a much better option for plastic cages.

Stacking Ap cages is really easy. They have 2 holes in the bottom of each cage, and 2 pegs on the top that lock together making them very secure.

Can you stack a T8 on top of another T8 that has a RHP installed? That's my only concern as I intend to use AP when I abondon glass tanks for good. I also really like pvccages.com but agree that AP definitely gives you the best bang for your buck

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

Can you stack a T8 on top of another T8 that has a RHP installed? That's my only concern as I intend to use AP when I abondon glass tanks for good. I also really like pvccages.com but agree that AP definitely gives you the best bang for your buck

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Yes, RHP's are mounted inside the cage to the ceiling so stacking isn't effected.

what heating type would you recommend for a plastics cage, and from where?

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Originally Posted by Faolan

what heating type would you recommend for a plastics cage, and from where?

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Heat tape from the bottom (offset to one side or the other), and a linear fluorescent tube inside the cage. That should be enough unless you live in a really cold climate. If that is the case add a radiant heat panel mounted to the ceiling of the cage centered.

who knows what company has the least malfunctions in their heating and thermostats?
and about a light, i noticed in the pictures they appear to be naked bulbs, my balls love to explore and test the boundaries of their enclosures so what's to stop them from burning their noses if the lights are inside the terra?

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Originally Posted by Faolan

who knows what company has the least malfunctions in their heating and thermostats?
and about a light, i noticed in the pictures they appear to be naked bulbs, my balls love to explore and test the boundaries of their enclosures so what's to stop them from burning their noses if the lights are inside the terra?

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Herpstats are absolutely the best and safest thermostats available right now. As for the heat sources themselves Reptile basics THG Heat is great as are their radiant heat panels. Another good option is pro products radiant heat panels.

Fluorescent bulbs don't get that hot, at least not hot enough to cause any issues just from making brief contact. The light fixtures AP sells with their cages have plastic diffusers covering the bulbs so that won't be an issue unless you take them off. I had some of them off because I was changing bulbs at the time.

If they are made from separate pieces being screwed together how are they water tight? has anyone ever had leaking issues with their plastics? I'd also be worried about debris getting caught in the cracks.

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Originally Posted by Faolan

If they are made from separate pieces being screwed together how are they water tight? has anyone ever had leaking issues with their plastics? I'd also be worried about debris getting caught in the cracks.

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AP cages come with a tube of sealant that you use to seal the joints, it's the same stuff used to seal glass aquariums.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...e.jpg~original

A cage will only leak if you don't do a good job applying the sealant.

Awesome, I do believe I'm sold on AP. Thank you so much everyone who replied, and thank you The Serpent Merchant, i found you especially helpful and your thread on setting up your terra will be useful when I have to get my own setup.