PVC Cages

I'm curious if anybody here has ordered from PVC Cages. I was looking around for future snake plans and after playing with the calculator for APCages and PVC Cages, the next two-three setups I want to go will be cheaper to go with PVC Cages.

So basically the base stats are this:

AP Cages T5(36x24x22) - $235 + $48 shipping = $283
PVC Cages(36x24x24) - $270 shipped

Now on top of it being cheaper, that's also an additional 2" in height for the snake. I still may go with 18" height, I just have to do some figuring out with space. Anyways, $25 for led light from PVC versus $20 for fluorescent from AP. Now I'm not even sure if I'm going to go with that or not because I generally like to run day/night bulbs on my setups for visual, however if I still have to decide if I want to go with RHP or flexwatt, but I'll figure that out when I decide to pull the plug. I'm just curious the quality of PVC Cages as that's likely who I'm going to order with because once I factor in everything, it's cheaper. I put locks on all my cages so that's not an issue, though PVC don't offer locks for swing doors, but this particular cage will be sliding doors.

On AP Cages they use a thing in the middle to sort of extra brace the front bracket, and I don't see that on PVC, but then again it may not be needed.

Blah, I just need some input on if anybody has PVC Cages and if they're quality built. The other questions I have I'll likely have to ask them, lol.

I think KMG has PVC Cages cages. To correct a few things, AP doesn't offer the fluorescent lights anymore. They offer LED strips flush mounted into the roof of the cage in either white, blue or red for $40.

I'm going to guess you are getting this cage for a GTP? If so, you definitely don't want flexwatt, you want a RHP.

The center brace might not be needed for a 36" cage but for anything larger, I personally wont buy any cage without it. My Constrictors NW cage is 48x24x14 and its 4 years old and it sags in the center. Seems most cages that are long with no center brace will sag.

Speaking from AP cages as I own 3 of them. They are awesome. I love them. Built really well, sturdy and the customer service is top notch. 2 of the 3 of my cages came with a dented/cracked back corner of the tops and Ali sent me 2 new tops with lights installed for free without even needing to see the broken tops. The cracks weren't even that bad and still useable but Ali said you paid for unbroken products and we will send you unbroken products. Awesome service. Plus they round off any corners and stuff so everything is smooth and well finished and fitted. I ordered 3 T10s with sliding glass doors with shelves, locks, LED lighting, and flexwatt

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I think KMG has PVC Cages cages. To correct a few things, AP doesn't offer the fluorescent lights anymore. They offer LED strips flush mounted into the roof of the cage in either white, blue or red for $40.

I'm going to guess you are getting this cage for a GTP? If so, you definitely don't want flexwatt, you want a RHP.

The center brace might not be needed for a 36" cage but for anything larger, I personally wont buy any cage without it. My Constrictors NW cage is 48x24x14 and its 4 years old and it sags in the center. Seems most cages that are long with no center brace will sag.

Speaking from AP cages as I own 3 of them. They are awesome. I love them. Built really well, sturdy and the customer service is top notch. 2 of the 3 of my cages came with a dented/cracked back corner of the tops and Ali sent me 2 new tops with lights installed for free without even needing to see the broken tops. The cracks weren't even that bad and still useable but Ali said you paid for unbroken products and we will send you unbroken products. Awesome service. Plus they round off any corners and stuff so everything is smooth and well finished and fitted. I ordered 3 T10s with sliding glass doors with shelves, locks, LED lighting, and flexwatt

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No, I'm not getting that cage for a GTP. I would never put belly heat on an arboreal snake. I own 3 AP cages as well, but from the price point PVC cages may be the better option for what I'm looking for.

EDIT:
It's likely going to be for a cobra, or until I find the exact cobra I want, it may house something else.

iv only owned ap cages so my input is not that good but I will say that animal plastics cages have been awesome I currently have 2 t-8's and im about to order another one within this month. and yes the customer service is amazing just email ali any question and she responds really quick.


sauzo, I didn't know they stop selling the fluorescent light fixtures now one of the cages is going to look different lol. if I would have known they had led's in the first place I would have put those in all my cages. oh well, I wander if they could send me the led's and i install them myself? gunna have to email ali.

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Originally Posted by erebus45

iv only owned ap cages so my input is not that good but I will say that animal plastics cages have been awesome I currently have 2 t-8's and im about to order another one within this month. and yes the customer service is amazing just email ali any question and she responds really quick.


sauzo, I didn't know they stop selling the fluorescent light fixtures now one of the cages is going to look different lol. if I would have known they had led's in the first place I would have put those in all my cages. oh well, I wander if they could send me the led's and i install them myself? gunna have to email ali.

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You can likely get LED's from Lowes for cheaper tbh. If I'm getting everything new, it's more of a convenience to get everything from the place that I'm getting the cage, with the exception of like flexwatt because I can get it a lot cheaper from reptilebasics. Now any additional modifications I'd do myself you may as well get from the hardware store yourself.

I also have a T8 & 2 T3's. All sliding glass except for one T3 that has swinging doors as those are easier to deal with the snakes that are housed in there.

I do have a PVC Cages cage that houses my GTP and I absolutely love it. It is currently my favorite cage. It is a stout little cage. This is because as their website says they use a thicker pvc than most other buidlers. While I like this because it makes for a very strong cage that is better insulated it may not be best if you are needing to use a UTH option for it. Having my GTP in it and having a second cage currently on order for my ETB I opted for the RHPs. With the thickness of the PVC Cages material I would think that most uth options would have a hard time working well and being efficient at creating a good hotspot. This is of course only speculation as I have never tried to use a uth on my GTP cage.


I also currently have another cage from AP on order. It should be here soon and if you have time once I get it I would be able to better tell you any and all differences I find between them.

For any arboreal snake I do not hesitate to recommend PVC Cages as I love mine and it has given me great service. My first was ordered with a light, rhp, perches, and greenery kit. My second was ordered with a led light, rhp, perches, and a few greenery kits to replace some in my other cage and have some extra too.

I have the sliding glass doors on mine and that is what I ordered on my two cages on order. Having both swinging plexi and sliding glass now I find I much prefer the sliding glass. I like that they are easy to remove and clean. I also think they present the cage better. However, I'm really don't know which I'd prefer if I was housing a hot in it.

We have some other members that use PVC Cages for arboreal snakes but they have not been active in a good while. I can say that of all the people I have seen with a PVC Cage they only speak well of them. Im hoping I will love the second just as much as the first and I can't wait to get it.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I do have a PVC Cages cage that houses my GTP and I absolutely love it. It is currently my favorite cage. It is a stout little cage. This is because as their website says they use a thicker pvc than most other buidlers. While I like this because it makes for a very strong cage that is better insulated it may not be best if you are needing to use a UTH option for it. Having my GTP in it and having a second cage currently on order for my ETB I opted for the RHPs. With the thickness of the PVC Cages material I would think that most uth options would have a hard time working well and being efficient at creating a good hotspot. This is of course only speculation as I have never tried to use a uth on my GTP cage.


I also currently have another cage from AP on order. It should be here soon and if you have time once I get it I would be able to better tell you any and all differences I find between them.

For any arboreal snake I do not hesitate to recommend PVC Cages as I love mine and it has given me great service. My first was ordered with a light, rhp, perches, and greenery kit. My second was ordered with a led light, rhp, perches, and a few greenery kits to replace some in my other cage and have some extra too.

I have the sliding glass doors on mine and that is what I ordered on my two cages on order. Having both swinging plexi and sliding glass now I find I much prefer the sliding glass. I like that they are easy to remove and clean. I also think they present the cage better. However, I'm really don't know which I'd prefer if I was housing a hot in it.

We have some other members that use PVC Cages for arboreal snakes but they have not been active in a good while. I can say that of all the people I have seen with a PVC Cage they only speak well of them. Im hoping I will love the second just as much as the first and I can't wait to get it.

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See my GTP I'm getting is going to be in a shoebox because it's still too small, but as an adult I was thinking of putting it in a 24x24x24. I only wanted the swinging doors for that because I figure it would be easier to access versus sliding glass. What are your dimensions for your PVC Cage though and can you snap some pictures of it for me? Also I want to see what type of LED light they use. Thanks.

EDIT:
AP Cages uses 1/2" PVC which PVC Cages say they use 3/8, so flexwatt would work I'm guessing. When my GTP is able to, I will be putting it in a PVC Cage, but the cage that I'm wanting right now is me future planning for something entirely different.

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Originally Posted by erebus45

sauzo, I didn't know they stop selling the fluorescent light fixtures now one of the cages is going to look different lol. if I would have known they had led's in the first place I would have put those in all my cages. oh well, I wander if they could send me the led's and i install them myself? gunna have to email ali.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I think KMG has PVC Cages cages. To correct a few things, AP doesn't offer the fluorescent lights anymore. They offer LED strips flush mounted into the roof of the cage in either white, blue or red for $40.

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When I recently placed my order with AP a couple of weeks ago for a T8 I added a fluorescent light. The issue I had was that option does not work with a cage divider I also ordered. At the time I placed this order I didn't know they offered Led strips until I saw you mention it in another thread. After getting a call from them stating the fluorescent fixture wouldnt work with a divider I asked about the led strips and was they work with the divider fine. However, they also offered to install two fluorescent lights so I could have one on each side and use the divider. This of course made the lighting $40 which is what the led option cost. That made it a no brainer for me and I went with the leds. Then to help push me over the fence even more I found the led option does not have any additional shipping charges as the fluorescent lights do so it actually was cheaper for me in the configuration I wanted.

So you can definitely get a fluorescent light it you still want one. Like you erebus45 I already have five cages with fluorescent lights so I ordered the same. After having to change that I also opted for the led option in the PVC Cage on order.

BTW Neal, I too like having a day and night light and in my snake room I achieve this with a floor lamp in the corner of the room with a red bulb. When the day lights go out the floor lamp kicks on a bit later so I can check on my collection at night and gives them more then pitch black to preform their night activities with. It would be great to have night lights in each cage but in the end price vs usefulness just didn't work for me so I went with a floor lamp.

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Originally Posted by KMG

When I recently placed my order with AP a couple of weeks ago for a T8 I added a fluorescent light. The issue I had was that option does not work with a cage divider I also ordered. At the time I placed this order I didn't know they offered Led strips until I saw you mention it in another thread. After getting a call from them stating the fluorescent fixture wouldnt work with a divider I asked about the led strips and was they work with the divider fine. However, they also offered to install two fluorescent lights so I could have one on each side and use the divider. This of course made the lighting $40 which is what the led option cost. That made it a no brainer for me and I went with the leds. Then to help push me over the fence even more I found the led option does not have any additional shipping charges as the fluorescent lights do so it actually was cheaper for me in the configuration I wanted.

So you can definitely get a fluorescent light it you still want one. Like you erebus45 I already have five cages with fluorescent lights so I ordered the same. After having to change that I also opted for the led option in the PVC Cage on order.

BTW Neal, I too like having a day and night light and in my snake room I achieve this with a floor lamp in the corner of the room with a red bulb. When the day lights go out the floor lamp kicks on a bit later so I can check on my collection at night and gives them more then pitch black to preform their night activities with. It would be great to have night lights in each cage but in the end price vs usefulness just didn't work for me so I went with a floor lamp.

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I definitely understand that.

Yea, I just prefer to make it a bit more realistic instead of being pitch black have some sort of glow to their tank. I may figure something out with a light in the corner or something like you mentioned.

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Originally Posted by Neal

See my GTP I'm getting is going to be in a shoebox because it's still too small, but as an adult I was thinking of putting it in a 24x24x24. I only wanted the swinging doors for that because I figure it would be easier to access versus sliding glass. What are your dimensions for your PVC Cage though and can you snap some pictures of it for me? Also I want to see what type of LED light they use. Thanks.

EDIT:
AP Cages uses 1/2" PVC which PVC Cages say they use 3/8, so flexwatt would work I'm guessing. When my GTP is able to, I will be putting it in a PVC Cage, but the cage that I'm wanting right now is me future planning for something entirely different.

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My current cage for my male GTP is 24x24x20. I ordered it several years ago and they offered this cage shipped prebuilt. When I got it all I had to do was basically plug it in, put the perches in place, and place the doors in the slot.

The one on order for my female ETB is a 36x24x24.

I recently got a new tablet and though I thought it would work better with photobucket that is not the reality. PB just sucks. In my profile gallery are some pics of my GTP in its cage.

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Originally Posted by KMG

My current cage for my male GTP is 24x24x20. I ordered it several years ago and they offered this cage shipped prebuilt. When I got it all I had to do was basically plug it in, put the perches in place, and place the doors in the slot.

The one on order for my female ETB is a 36x24x24.

I recently got a new tablet and though I thought it would work better with photobucket that is not the reality. PB just sucks. In my profile gallery are some pics of my GTP in its cage.

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Yea I have two custom enclosures that were built for me for cheap with led lighting & the smallest rhp. I want to say 16x16x12. I'm going to keep the GTP in a shoebox inside of that, as it'll allow me to maintain the temp better, and depending on the size of the bush viper it'll be in a shoe box type thing as well in it's enclosure. It's sealed birch wood painted flat black, I get to pick them up Saturday but they're just temp enclosures until I move them up to PVC sometime down the road. The GTP I'm getting is a Timika locality, so hopefully it turns out to be a stunner, and it'll get moved up to a 24x24x24 or Cube as I call it when it outgrows it's 16x16x12 enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Yea I have two custom enclosures that were built for me for cheap with led lighting & the smallest rhp. I want to say 16x16x12. I'm going to keep the GTP in a shoebox inside of that, as it'll allow me to maintain the temp better, and depending on the size of the bush viper it'll be in a shoe box type thing as well in it's enclosure. It's sealed birch wood painted flat black, I get to pick them up Saturday but they're just temp enclosures until I move them up to PVC sometime down the road. The GTP I'm getting is a Timika locality, so hopefully it turns out to be a stunner, and it'll get moved up to a 24x24x24 or Cube as I call it when it outgrows it's 16x16x12 enclosure.

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Sounds like a plan to me.

Tried a PVC Cage for the first time this year for a BP rescue, and I LOVE it.

Jim was very responsive and helpful; he emailed after I order to let me know he was 2-3 weeks from shipping. I asked him to put the RHP on a certain side, and he got right back to me with the ok. Even checked in to make sure I had a thermostat for the RHP (on behalf of snakes everywhere, I appreciated that since he knew it was the first time I'd ordered from him, he took time to make sure I wasn't clueless).

I like the look better than a lot of other brands, to be honest - sleek, black box, sliding glass doors, no divider in the center of the doors, that's it. Similar to APs - but I still just prefer the PVC Cage look, with no scientific reason why, just personal preference. I like the simplicity.
Was pretty easy to put together; ships in pieces, comes with letter labels on each piece and clear instructions. You just need a screwdriver, and it fits together nicely. Very well made.
Quality is excellent; thick, sturdy plastic with a matte finish, soft enough that you can sink the screws in to be flush. Sliding glass doors are nice and thick, and have small handles built in already, which is nice.
There are two round vents built into the upper portion of the back panel for ventilation. You can drill more holes if you need.
There's a notch cut out in the top/back for the RHP cord and to thread your thermostat probe through - make sure you thread the cords through before you put the cage together, or you'll have to widen the hole a bit to get them through.
Since it's one that is shipped in pieces, you will need to seal or caulk it yourself if you're worried about liquid seeping into the seams. Not really a con, but an extra step if you're someone who likes them sealed.
No extra piece in the center for stability, and I haven't had an issue with bowing.

Anyway, I've been extremely happy with mine. I have the RHP and use an UTH with it as well. Keeps humidity and temps nicely. I did have to add some extra insulation on the back, but that's because I'm in an old house with windows that don't seal, and the cage is near the windows - it rarely drops below 50 degrees here, but there is a pretty sizeable draft through the windows, so it does slightly affect the temps inside on cold days. That's just due to my environment, though, not the quality of the cage.

I didn't get lights installed, since I'm fine with it being nice and dark for the BP, but I almost wish I would have now just for cleaning! Not sure why I didn't do that. Oh well, headlamp still works for me just fine. haha

If you have any other questions or want pics of anything, feel free to let me know.

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Originally Posted by erebus45

iv only owned ap cages so my input is not that good but I will say that animal plastics cages have been awesome I currently have 2 t-8's and im about to order another one within this month. and yes the customer service is amazing just email ali any question and she responds really quick.


sauzo, I didn't know they stop selling the fluorescent light fixtures now one of the cages is going to look different lol. if I would have known they had led's in the first place I would have put those in all my cages. oh well, I wander if they could send me the led's and i install them myself? gunna have to email ali.

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You can order the LED strips from anywhere like Amazon. The thing is AP routes a channel is the roof of the cage so the lights are flush mounted and then they route the plug out the back top corner and make a channel on the outside of the roof for the plug wire to fit in so the whole thing is flush mounted. I personally would rather pay the $40 and have a nice clean recessed light in my cage as I don't have a whole router table set up in my garage lol.

As for doing it yourself, you could just have them route the channels and you order the lights and install them yourself. It really doesn't look that hard.

I personally like that AP cages pre routes a channel in the flooring to fit t-stat probes as I only use flexwatt so my cages can stack or sit flat on the floor without damaging the probe. The only thing I don't like from the looks of the PVCCages is that there is no center brace. From what I have seen, PVC cages that don't use a center brace seem to bow after a few years if they are long. Looks like the builder is using a taller header and litter dam to try and offset this but that makes the door opening/viewing window smaller. Its the same design as my Constrictors NW cage and the smaller door opening because of what I mentioned earlier and the sag are bummers, not to mention the biggest he offers is only 48" long. For a GTP, these look pretty sweet, but for a boa or any terrestrial snake that needs cage length, I don't know.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I personally like that AP cages pre routes a channel in the flooring to fit t-stat probes as I only use flexwatt so my cages can stack or sit flat on the floor without damaging the probe. The only thing I don't like from the looks of the PVCCages is that there is no center brace. From what I have seen, PVC cages that don't use a center brace seem to bow after a few years if they are long. Looks like the builder is using a taller header and litter dam to try and offset this but that makes the door opening/viewing window smaller. Its the same design as my Constrictors NW cage and the smaller door opening because of what I mentioned earlier and the sag are bummers, not to mention the biggest he offers is only 48" long. For a GTP, these look pretty sweet, but for a boa or any terrestrial snake that needs cage length, I don't know.

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When I spoke to the guy at PVC Cages he stated he has never ran into any sagging, so without any proof I'd more then question the sagging issue as there would be a lot of complaints which would hurt his business. If there's a known issue on something like that, word would get around pretty quickly, like a bad breeder. I'll likely give him a shot at 2-3 cages, and I definitely like the fact he uses an LED fixture, though he doesn't know if it can be dimmed or not.

I've had all my cages several years now. The PVC Cage is rock solid and I don't see the material he uses ever starting to bend, even in a longer cage. Especially since my other cages that are much thinner and hold much heavier loads, one being a 30+lb Blood. If they aren't giving me problems I don't think the PVC Cage ever could.




Also AP will add a light channel so you can add your own led strip for just $10.

Thank you all for the information here (and throughout the forum), this has really helped with my decision making processes.

One of my last questions before placing my order is this....

I have 1 young bp for now and think a T8 or T10 (either) with the divider and shelf with 2-40W Pro Products RHP will suffice. I will then order a second with an 80W RHP for when she grows out of it to have that space to herself. With the divider I'll have 2-40W installed, when I remove the divider when the second snake reaches the right size should I then order an 80W or just have the 2-40W RHP running?

Have I confused you yet? :confusd: Sorry so complicated.

Thanks - you guys have been great so far. :gj:

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Originally Posted by BR8080

Thank you all for the information here (and throughout the forum), this has really helped with my decision making processes.

One of my last questions before placing my order is this....

I have 1 young bp for now and think a T8 or T10 (either) with the divider and shelf with 2-40W Pro Products RHP will suffice. I will then order a second with an 80W RHP for when she grows out of it to have that space to herself. With the divider I'll have 2-40W installed, when I remove the divider when the second snake reaches the right size should I then order an 80W or just have the 2-40W RHP running?

Have I confused you yet? :confusd: Sorry so complicated.

Thanks - you guys have been great so far. :gj:

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I understood you. Makes sense to me. :)