AP Cage (or other)

So I'm thinking of getting an AP T8 as the permanent home for my new ball. She is still brand new, weighs about 130g and is in her temporary 10gallon. Humidity is a problem in my house and I also have quite low ambient temps in the winter. So I'm thinking of going with a T8 as opposed to a glass aquarium. I have a 75gallon glass laying around which I was thinking of using, but I'm pretty much at the "forget that" stage and will probably try to sell it. So the big question regarding the t8 is, should I order it with the divider and setup as a 2 snake viv (heat tape placement & 2 radiant heaters due to my low ambient temps, etc) or should I just plan to use the 1 T8 for the life of my Ball and get the viv with 1 light, 1 radiant heater, etc? I know people say the 24x24 should be enough for an adult BP, but I don't know, it feels like it would be small. I'd much prefer to either design the cage as a permanent double 24x24 or single 48x24 viv and not change things up once the snake starts getting too big. I know if I have 2 24x24 spaces, I won't be able to keep the second space vacant for long at all and I don't want to have 2 snakes that are too big for their enclosures in a year. I plan to keep these 1 or 2 snakes for good, no trading/selling/breeding. I was thinking I would stack another T8 down the road if I wanted to get another ball.

Also, if someone thinks there are better options than the T8, I'd like to hear it... considering my humidity and ambient temp challenges. I also like the price point of AP.

The divider is just 20 bucks and you can always take it out. I opted for a T8 to house 2 bps with 2 RHP's. You can always buy one later and install yourself. Its really just your preference

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I'm more worried about the initial setup. If I go with double 24x24 I have to get 2 radiant heaters, 2 lights, arrange heat tape differently, need the divider, can't get the basking shelf and whatever else I'm not thinking of. If I divide it, I want to keep it that way for good.

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Originally Posted by D1C

The divider is just 20 bucks and you can always take it out. I opted for a T8 to house 2 bps with 2 RHP's. You can always buy one later and install yourself. Its really just your preference

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You aren't worried about the 24x24 space being too small for a full sized BP or are you just planning on moving things around at a later point?

It's fine right now. If you get the LED lights, its the same as 2 fluorescent fixtures and takes up less space.

I don't have adults but from everything I've heard and read, it is enough space. If I find that it isn't, I will get another one to stack on top. I had that same debate about getting one or two and decided that I can always get another one later

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Yeah, with them not being all that expensive, you could always just stack another on top down the road. I might go that direction as well.

Just wondering, did you get your RH installed directly from AP or what did you go with otherwise? Do you have some kind of heat tape as well or just the RHs?

I installed the RHP myself.used Reptile basics, two 40 watt panels. Its easy to do.

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Just buy LED lights or an 18 inch fluorescent fixture at home depot. Will be cheaper and easy to install. RHPs are easy to install. I got a Pro Products one in my Pro-Line cage. Just drill 2 holes and mount it where you want it. Heat tape, the same thing. Just buy a roll of foil tape at home depot and you can move the heat tape to whichever side you want or put it in the middle if you got 2 snakes. The advantage to AP doing it is they route channels in the top so you can hide the RHP and light wires but you can more or less achieve the same thing by using a dremel or a drill and "channeling" out a little U shape in the back top of the cage between the back wall and the top so you can fit the wire through.

Oh this is this lighting I use in my HDPE cage http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-18-in-...6466/100384834. Cheap, easy to install and so far after 2 years, still working fine.

I too have been kicking around the idea of an AP T8 for my pied girl. I also have been thinking of just giving her my boas Pro-Line HDPE 48x23x14 when I get my boa a new cage also as in probably another year or so, she is going to be outgrowing it since shes up to about 6ft now.

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Originally Posted by Outtkast

I'm more worried about the initial setup. If I go with double 24x24 I have to get 2 radiant heaters, 2 lights, arrange heat tape differently, need the divider, can't get the basking shelf and whatever else I'm not thinking of. If I divide it, I want to keep it that way for good.

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Why do you need to get the basking shelf.. Ball pythons don't need to bask from what I understand.. I could take some pics of how I set up my t8 with heat panels and lights if you would like to see.

Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing yours. I talked to Ali from AP and I'm going to go with the T8 with divider. I'm going to call Pro Products and have them ship 2 small RHPs to AP so that they can install them. I might have AP do the flexwatt as well so that they can install it, worth the extra money imo. I think I'll order and install my own lights like Sauzo said though. And as D1C mentioned, I'll just order another T8 down the road if the BPs outgrow a half cage. This give me an excuse to get another BP at those 2 rep shows coming up next month :D

Did you verify that they will install the flexwatt? Or are they just hardwiring it with a plug and then putting it on the box? Putting flexwatt on the bottom is easy as from what I've seen, AP cages have "slots" that the flexwatt fits in. There is also a groove in the floor where a T-stat probe fits in. So really you could get flexwatt or THG cheaper from Reptile Basics and then it just sticks on with foil tape. But up to you http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...ELG_YZy0M3.png I just prefer putting that kind of stuff in myself as im kind of OCD about any electrical and want to make sure I got it set up the way I want it. But grats and be sure to post pictures of it so I can see more AP cages to help me decide what to do in my previous post http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...yIXNUrKuA1.png

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Did you verify that they will install the flexwatt? Or are they just hardwiring it with a plug and then putting it on the box? Putting flexwatt on the bottom is easy as from what I've seen, AP cages have "slots" that the flexwatt fits in. There is also a groove in the floor where a T-stat probe fits in. So really you could get flexwatt or THG cheaper from Reptile Basics and then it just sticks on with foil tape. But up to you http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...ELG_YZy0M3.png I just prefer putting that kind of stuff in myself as im kind of OCD about any electrical and want to make sure I got it set up the way I want it. But grats and be sure to post pictures of it so I can see more AP cages to help me decide what to do in my previous post http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...yIXNUrKuA1.png

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I'm not sure if they just put the flexwatt in the box or what, but I'm more worried about the groove and probe slot... I can probably ask if they'll put that in whether I order the flexwatt from them or not. I was looking at the ultratherm 11x23 on reptile basics and saw that it was $25. I'm not sure how much shipping would be, but I assume that it would get the cost close to the $35 of adding it on at AP. I'm not sure if Ultratherm is better than Flexwatt or what though. Thanks for all the tips & I'll be sure to post some pics :)

Top all setup used RHP's from reptile basics and cyron LED lights from home depot
http://i.imgur.com/F7IoSte.jpg

whole cage
http://i.imgur.com/zuruunr.jpg

1 side of cage that i have my 120g albino in
http://i.imgur.com/xBX57Ov.jpg

side i have my 350g normal in, has little less stuff in it now
http://i.imgur.com/3OFRrFf.jpg

if there are any more pics you would like to see let me know, also AP ships the cages out with 3 slots in bottom for placement of flexwatt and thermo probe, each side and center

edit: ap doesnt install the flexwatt, they will ship it with the enclosure but it is wired up

Nice setup michaelt, thanks for the pics. That first pic is a look at the inside of the top of the cage unassembled? Is that just a LED rope along its upper edge?

these are the lights i used http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cyron-9-i...5yc1vZc7phZebe all the things around edges are just wires tied up with cable clamps so they don't hang on them

edit yes thats the top of it

Hey Michaelt, I think I'm going to use those Cryons for my cage too. Just so I'm clear, that system you linked contains 4 9 inch bars right? How do you like them? Do they link up somehow or do you have to run 4 cables out of the cage? If so, does the divider get in the way?

Also, for size reference, you have 2 RHPs from reptile basics right? That's what I'm getting also.

Edit - forgot to ask, are those mounted above the glass doors? Is that positioning working out for you?

Yes they are the 4 9" bars they work good only thing I did was turn them more towards the top because I have a albino snake and more sensitive to bright lights. I ran each wire outside the cage to the hub they provide with the lights. When I spaced them out I made sure th divider had room and such only thing was to install the divider I had to take the top off because they were in the way. I used 2 40w rbi rhp from reptile basics. I like the were I mounted them they light up the enclosure good I can take a few more pics tomorrow of it lite up and such and the hub and everything if you would like.

Thanks! The t8 is ordered with divider and Flexwatt down the middle. I think I'm set on the Cryons and the 2 40 watt RHPs also. Always happy too see more pics though :D

Ok I'll take a few in the morning since I changed both enclosures around with new hides lastnight.

I bought a 24x24x12 pvc for my BP when 2 months ago. Looking at his current 370g and 24" size and visualizing his full grown size I didn't feel it would be big enough. He isn't shy when I hold him so I made the choice and ordered him a 48x24x16 pvc. He showed no stress when moved to the larger home. He ate the first feeding 5 days later and periodically moves from cold hide to warm hide. Personally if your BP isn't stressed by open spaces go with the larger cage. I'm always of the mindset give your pet the biggest home you can. If I wasn't told some BPs are too stressed by large cages I'd have boughten a bigger one out of the gate. But in the end this was better found a locally built cage with LED light strip for the new cage and his old home which will soon house a childrens python.

I'm getting the 48x24x12 cage. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to split it in half with the divider. I've decided to get the divider and just order another cage down the road when I'm ready to take the divider out and give this girl the whole cage.

I too wonder how people are able to keep their BPs in a 24x24x12. I mean to me that seems really small. I mean granted I know they aren't that active but a 2ft space for a 4ft snake doesn't even seem like it would give it stretching room. I personally prefer a cage that is 3/4 the length of the snake minimum and half its body length in depth. When I pick up my AP for my little girl, i'll be going T10 for the extra 3" height for the RHP and just skip a UTH as imo its not needed with PVC cages and a RHP. Plus I prefer to run about 2 inches deep on my aspen.

All depends on how many you are keeping and what your plans are (pets or breeding). I'd love to have all mine in 40 gallon tanks but that's far too expensive and takes up too much room. I know people that have well over 300 balls. That's a whole lot of cage space. Haha

1 side with lights on and note these are dimmer because I point them upwards instead of down
http://i.imgur.com/MPS3kpb.jpg

other side
http://i.imgur.com/XGp5kqJ.jpg

lights
http://i.imgur.com/Qhue0BK.jpg

how I ran the cables
http://i.imgur.com/OnTEbEa.jpg

the hub that the lights plug into
http://i.imgur.com/MoZnITA.jpg

anymore just let me know

Looking good, thanks!

Now if the snakes would make a appearance and get out of there food comas

Lol my pied girl does that all the time. I ended up taking her out last night and she just curled on my chest and put her face on my arm and sat there for about 45 mins while I watched tv. Nice looking cage btw.

Thanks yea just had my normal out but then he kept parascoping toward the enclosure so just put him back I don't take my albino out to much she's always pissy