So much talk about AP T8s!

Sooooo I've been seeing a lot of posts about the AP T8s recently, which seems to be the popular choice for enclosures. I do want to switch my one and only (for now [emoji51]) bp out of the 20G breeder when he's full grown..

I've searched the forum for some info compared to other brands for enclosures but they seem dated so here are some of my questions (please feel free to link past threads if any of these have already been answered!):

1. Comparing price & quality with the boaphile 321D how does it fair? How come there isn't that much talk about boaphiles as much as AP?

2. If (and most likely when) I do decide to get another bp and split the t8 into halves, would a 2x2ft area be enough for an adult? (Read on one of the threads that it was, but I wanted more opinions on this)

3. RHP vs Flexwatt: obviously flexwatt provides belly heat & with the T8 split into 2, the flexwatt would be in the middle (?). I've tried researching about RHPs but still confused as to how this works. Is it like a CHE? How does it provide belly heat or does it just heat the general enclosure? Would this still provide a temp gradient? (Lol sorry if this is sounding ignorant!)

Yeah, that's all I got for now. Thanks in advance! [emoji28]

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

Sooooo I've been seeing a lot of posts about the AP T8s recently, which seems to be the popular choice for enclosures. I do want to switch my one and only (for now [emoji51]) bp out of the 20G breeder when he's full grown..

I've searched the forum for some info compared to other brands for enclosures but they seem dated so here are some of my questions (please feel free to link past threads if any of these have already been answered!):

1. Comparing price & quality with the boaphile 321D how does it fair? How come there isn't that much talk about boaphiles as much as AP?

2. If (and most likely when) I do decide to get another bp and split the t8 into halves, would a 2x2ft area be enough for an adult? (Read on one of the threads that it was, but I wanted more opinions on this)

3. RHP vs Flexwatt: obviously flexwatt provides belly heat & with the T8 split into 2, the flexwatt would be in the middle (?). I've tried researching about RHPs but still confused as to how this works. Is it like a CHE? How does it provide belly heat or does it just heat the general enclosure? Would this still provide a temp gradient? (Lol sorry if this is sounding ignorant!)

Yeah, that's all I got for now. Thanks in advance! [emoji28]

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1.) I don't really like boaphiles, but I have several AP cages and I love them. Sure I think every cage could have improvements though.

2.) I'm sure you can make due with this, but if you start dealing with a female that weighs a lot, she won't have a lot of space, so it's more of a personal judgement call for you.

3.) Both options are great, though putting the flexwatt in the middle if you plan on splitting will work best, however with one snake that's not going to give them large place to regulate, so it should be on one side. RHPs work similar to CHE's, however they don't get as hot as they would instantly burn you. Here is a good read on RHP: http://www.reptilebasics.com/radiant-faq

Thanks for the quick reply Neal! I don't really have any plans for breeding in the future, so I would stick with just a male. But still I would want to make sure that the space would be fine. Either way, it's still in the distant future so lots of time to think about it! [emoji28]

Much of it may be that the T8 is on sale and is a quick ship item as well.

I just ordered one for a Blood python. They are pet rocks and wont even use 12 inches so I saved a bit of money and will be getting the cage sooner.

It will be my first AP cage but if it is as nice as the AP rack I already own Im going to really like it.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Much of it may be that the T8 is on sale and is a quick ship item as well.

I just ordered one for a Blood python. They are pet rocks and wont even use 12 inches so I saved a bit of money and will be getting the cage sooner.

It will be my first AP cage but if it is as nice as the AP rack I already own Im going to really like it.

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Yeah, with the divider and flexwatt it was about 250 w/o shipping. Let me know how you like your T8! [emoji16]

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

Yeah, with the divider and flexwatt it was about 250 w/o shipping. Let me know how you like your T8! [emoji16]

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I should have it in two weeks. Its been just over a week since I ordered and was told it was about three weeks out.

I got the LED lights, divider, and glass doors.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I got the LED lights, divider, and glass doors.

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If you don't mind me asking, how much was it all with the shipping? And the glass doors are included in the sale right ($150)?

I have 3 AP cages currently.

T8 w/ sliding glass doors and a screen cutout up top.
T3 w/ sliding glass doors and two screen cutouts up top.
T3 w/ swinging doors and two screen cutouts up top.

I ordered flexwatt from reptilebasics as I couldn't see spending $30 on it. You can get them to install RHP, you just have to call, as well for LED lighting.

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

If you don't mind me asking, how much was it all with the shipping? And the glass doors are included in the sale right ($150)?

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Yes, that includes the glass doors.

I paid $255 shipped.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Yes, that includes the glass doors.

I paid $255 shipped.

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That's actually a really good deal!

I've gotta wait 3 months for my t10 to be delivered. Grrrrrr...

But I personally would give a full grown BP the whole T8 cage. And stack a second one on top for your addition. If they are just display animals, might as well give them the lay of the land. My opinion. I'm sure they would be OK in a 2x2 though


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

Sooooo I've been seeing a lot of posts about the AP T8s recently, which seems to be the popular choice for enclosures. I do want to switch my one and only (for now [emoji51]) bp out of the 20G breeder when he's full grown..

I've searched the forum for some info compared to other brands for enclosures but they seem dated so here are some of my questions (please feel free to link past threads if any of these have already been answered!):

1. Comparing price & quality with the boaphile 321D how does it fair? How come there isn't that much talk about boaphiles as much as AP?

2. If (and most likely when) I do decide to get another bp and split the t8 into halves, would a 2x2ft area be enough for an adult? (Read on one of the threads that it was, but I wanted more opinions on this)

3. RHP vs Flexwatt: obviously flexwatt provides belly heat & with the T8 split into 2, the flexwatt would be in the middle (?). I've tried researching about RHPs but still confused as to how this works. Is it like a CHE? How does it provide belly heat or does it just heat the general enclosure? Would this still provide a temp gradient? (Lol sorry if this is sounding ignorant!)

Yeah, that's all I got for now. Thanks in advance! [emoji28]

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1. Boaphiles are nice cages too since they are 1 piece. The problem is for the price, you can get a lot more from AP. Boaphiles prices include shipping but stuff like the shelf and other "extras" are pretty pricey.

2. No. One T8 should be for one snake. I mean sure you can split one but imo, that is not much room. my BP uses all of her T10 with a shelf.

3. A RHP is basically a cage safe CHE. It heats items under it which in turn heat the air.

Me personally I use only flexwatt in 3 of my AP T10s and will use flexwatt also in my T25s when they get here. I order all mine with sliding glass doors, locks, shelves, flexwatt and white LEDs installed. Think my T10s ran like $370 each and the T25s are about $770 each.

If you order them, don't cut screens in the top. You will just kill your humidity. For a lizard, sure, but for a snakes that need fairly high humidity, don't bother. Just put a RHP in it if your room gets below 75F or if you keep it around 78-80F like I do, you only need flexwatt. And of course you need a good t-stat no matter what heat source you got with.

OP, I forgot to mention the RHP vs CHE thing. Notice also that the price I got did not include any heat as the cage is going in my heated snake room and I will be adding a UTH to it here.

If your home has A/C and stays cool at any part of the year it would be a good thing to add.

Thanks for all the replies guys! Definitely was leaning more on just keeping one in a T8 rather than splitting it in half. I know Jumbi likes to explore at night and he uses his bamboo sticks a lot to just slither through or coil on so I'm sure he'll appreciate all the extra space! Also looking at flexwatt from reptile basics and most likely will go that route and save a few bucks. I'll look into RHPs more and see if that's the better option.

Thanks again everyone!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

Thanks for all the replies guys! Definitely was leaning more on just keeping one in a T8 rather than splitting it in half. I know Jumbi likes to explore at night and he uses his bamboo sticks a lot to just slither through or coil on so I'm sure he'll appreciate all the extra space! Also looking at flexwatt from reptile basics and most likely will go that route and save a few bucks. I'll look into RHPs more and see if that's the better option.

Thanks again everyone!

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I don't know that Id call a rhp a better choice. For my BRB, Bloods, and Ball I prefer the belly heat. In my 4ft x 2ft x 15in cages I have both a rhp and a uth. In my heated room it is not as needed and I run the rhp at a lower temp as they are really only needed on colder nights to keep the cage temp up. This lets me keep the room heater around 75 which makes the room more comfortable for me.

When I had my cages in a unheated room I needed the rhp and uth to provide proper temps. It really depends on what the temps of the room the cage will be in are usually at. If it gets cooler Id say add both a rhp and uth. Of course you can buy them and add them yourself when you are able if you cant afford or don't know if you will need both at the time you order.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbzapanda

Thanks for all the replies guys! Definitely was leaning more on just keeping one in a T8 rather than splitting it in half. I know Jumbi likes to explore at night and he uses his bamboo sticks a lot to just slither through or coil on so I'm sure he'll appreciate all the extra space! Also looking at flexwatt from reptile basics and most likely will go that route and save a few bucks. I'll look into RHPs more and see if that's the better option.

Thanks again everyone!

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Definitely spring the extra $35 for a shelf. All my snakes love their shelves. My Bp actually used it more than anyone except the retic who loves that thing at night.

I've used both RHPs and flexwatt and personally I like flexwatt better. Its easier to keep a nice warm 90F hot spot while still keeping a nice cool 78-80F cool side. With the RHP in a warm room, it's a pain. The RHP doesn't turn on much as you set the t-stat probe to the cool side and set it to 80F. So it never really built a hot spot, just a warm ambient which honestly is fine for a snake as well since they don't NEED a hot spot as long as the ambient is warm enough but all my snakes seem to really love a nice warm spot they can curl up on and sleep.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

all my snakes seem to really love a nice warm spot they can curl up on and sleep.

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I notice this with mine, too. He'll rearrange the substrate to get as close to the glass so I just cleared that area and put paper towel on top of the glass so he has a clear spot to curl up in! For now, I don't think I'll be needing the RHP as my room stays at 75-79. It's been constant at 77F the past few nights and that's with the weather outside at ~35F at night.

Yeah you are probably fine with just flexwatt then. If the weather is cold, just bump the flexwatt up a couple degrees. All of my cages stay around 78-80F and the snakes all seem fine. And yeah they love to dig a little pit to sit in on top of the flexwatt lol.

Oh yeah, heating! Wow how did I miss this question..

What do you normally set your tstat to so you can get a 90F hot spot with flex watt?

For my T10s in a 78-80F room, I set all my Herpstats to 95F.

You'll just have to play with it yourself to get your temperature because so many things can affect it. Also it may take a minute to get a proper reading, but whatever you do, set it up before you put your snake in. That way you know everything is fully dialed in.

Also with regards to RHP, I only plan to run it if I ever get my GTP(enclosure already made by a local guy) and then I made the same exact setup for my Bush Viper which I plan to get, both are arboreal though.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

If you order them, don't cut screens in the top. You will just kill your humidity. For a lizard, sure, but for a snakes that need fairly high humidity, don't bother.

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Is the cut screens on top mainly for purposes of other reptiles? Or, is there another purpose one might have, with snakes?

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Is the cut screens on top mainly for purposes of other reptiles? Or, is there another purpose one might have, with snakes?

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I think people do use the cut screens for snakes for the purpose of putting a light or CHE, but in my opinion it's a waste. Heating a T8 for a snake should be done with an RHP or heat tape and lighting should be internal with an LED strip.


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Yeah, having a screen and using lamps is like putting curb feelers on a Rolls Royce.

If you are going that far, do it right and use flexwatt and or an RHP.

Do the T8s come with anyway to prop up the cage (like an inch clearance or something for the UTH) or is that something that has to be improvised? I'm totally new to the game lol

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Originally Posted by FNG

Do the T8s come with anyway to prop up the cage (like an inch clearance or something for the UTH) or is that something that has to be improvised? I'm totally new to the game lol

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I just use some thin insulation or thin piece of wood, depending on what is below. But if you need to raise it, you can place some felt furniture protectors under the corners and maybe in the middle as well to prevent the floor from sagging.

cool, thanks. i used some short 2x4s to prob up her current cage lol

Recent AP T8 buyer here and nothing but great things to say. All the holes are pre drilled and align PERFECT. Instructions are easy to read and follow. I ordered a RHP, had it shipped direct to AP and they installed it for me, did not do belly heat. They also did the LED lighting option for me. I selected the sliding glass door option. I'm in the north east, central NY to be exact and the tank holds great temps; 90deg/45% hot side , 78deg/60% cold side.

responding to a comment above, they have a few inch riser that can go under the tank and locks in perfectly.

I set up a thermostat, plugged the RHP into it and put the probe on the cold side. This way the RHP kicks on to maintain minimum temperature of 78. My BP seems to love the new enclosure, heat gradient and has been having complete one piece sheds. I obviously mist a little bit during the shed process but the tank holds 60-80% humidity.

Would definitely recommend AP T8 to you. Some pics might be on my account, if not just reply and i'll post them up.

so its possible to have a RHP and florescent bulb in there? that way i can possibly put plants in her cage too. thats great, I'm in CT so its cold and dry here as well. good heat retention and humidity sounds like a deal i can't beat

Yes, fluorescents are easy to install. Light wise the LEDs are better and more versatile, but probably worthless for plants.

Me coming from tanks to plastic, plastic is way better for heat and humidity.