Animal Plastics T25 custom enclosure

Rather than continue adding to my SD retic thread I thought I'd add some pics and description here about my new T25 from animal plastics.
I had AP add a custom raised lower door track because my kalatoa retic loved to jam her head into the gap between the right door and the litter dam in her other AP cage, causing her to get abrasions on her bottom jaw.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...78a555830f.jpg
Also had them groove a channel for LED lights in the rear of the cage. However the 10" wide shelf along the back blocked most of the light from getting to about 80% of the cage floor.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f2f4950cbe.jpg
Very dark and would be hard to see in the cage for general observation or cleaning.
Solution: got another strip of LEDs and sealed them along the top front and sides of the interior, sealing them in place with the Lexel sealant that comes with AP cages.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...beab2c6adc.jpg
Had to drill a hole through the left side vent to feed the connection end of the lights through but it's pretty unnoticeable.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b2696c6257.jpg
Also installed a reptile basics xl hide on the cool side ceiling using mirror mounting brackets screwed into the top of the cage with 3/4" countersink #8 screws. Arboreal hide spot for my bigger retic to explore.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...85ccc9beff.jpg
Also drilled a couple 5/16" holes through the vents in the back wall to feed thermostat probes, thermometer probes, etc in and out of the cage.
Currently just waiting for sealant to cure and then getting the temps dialed in and giving Phyllis some slick new digs! I'll post more pics here and in Phyllis's thread once it's all up and running.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2b1808807b.jpg



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Rather than continue adding to my SD retic thread I thought I'd add some pics and description here about my new T25 from animal plastics.
I had AP add a custom raised lower door track because my kalatoa retic loved to jam her head into the gap between the right door and the litter dam in her other AP cage, causing her to get abrasions on her bottom jaw.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...78a555830f.jpg
Also had them groove a channel for LED lights in the rear of the cage. However the 10" wide shelf along the back blocked most of the light from getting to about 80% of the cage floor.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f2f4950cbe.jpg
Very dark and would be hard to see in the cage for general observation or cleaning.
Solution: got another strip of LEDs and sealed them along the top front and sides of the interior, sealing them in place with the Lexel sealant that comes with AP cages.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...beab2c6adc.jpg
Had to drill a hole through the left side vent to feed the connection end of the lights through but it's pretty unnoticeable.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b2696c6257.jpg
Also installed a reptile basics xl hide on the cool side ceiling using mirror mounting brackets screwed into the top of the cage with 3/4" countersink #8 screws. Arboreal hide spot for my bigger retic to explore.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...85ccc9beff.jpg
Also drilled a couple 5/16" holes through the vents in the back wall to feed thermostat probes, thermometer probes, etc in and out of the cage.
Currently just waiting for sealant to cure and then getting the temps dialed in and giving Phyllis some slick new digs! I'll post more pics here and in Phyllis's thread once it's all up and running.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2b1808807b.jpg



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Very well done! It looks beautiful on that hardwood floor too.

I can't wait to see the substrate added and Philly in there with some decor.

I'm not looking forward to building mine right now. It is huge 72" x 30" x 24". I have a tree trunk that will be added in, and some fence post thick perches.

I have to screw in and caulk the background, and do the same with the bottom of the cage.

Seeing your cage does get me fired up though.

It is really pretty!

Looks good. And yeah, with such a wide shelf, it does kind of obscure the lighting. The snakes seem to like it a little darker anyways.

And just a FYI, if you need to get new hides, the jumbo Reptile Basics ones fit perfect in the T25s.

Very nice!
What does the 'normal' door track look like?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

Very well done! It looks beautiful on that hardwood floor too.

I can't wait to see the substrate added and Philly in there with some decor.

I'm not looking forward to building mine right now. It is huge 72" x 30" x 24". I have a tree trunk that will be added in, and some fence post thick perches.

I have to screw in and caulk the background, and do the same with the bottom of the cage.

Seeing your cage does get me fired up though.

It is really pretty!

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It does look nice on the floor but it will be set on a chrome wire rack on casters once it's ready to go.
That's funny you called Phyllis "Philly", I call her that too!
She's being fed tonight so I'll probably get her in there on Saturday. Running the heat panel to check temps right now!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Looks good. And yeah, with such a wide shelf, it does kind of obscure the lighting. The snakes seem to like it a little darker anyways.

And just a FYI, if you need to get new hides, the jumbo Reptile Basics ones fit perfect in the T25s.

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I still have the lights installed in the groove as well, so if I decide it's too bright for her I can use either set. I'm sure she'd like the dark but I don't want to hunt for pee and poo in a dark cage lol!
I have a feeling she'll outgrow the xl hides as soon as I have the other cages stacked on hers... just to make it a pain to install a bigger sky hide haha. Good to know they fit nicely


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Very nice!
What does the 'normal' door track look like?

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Thank you! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...434ea930dc.jpg
Normal door track looks like this pic


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

It does look nice on the floor but it will be set on a chrome wire rack on casters once it's ready to go.
That's funny you called Phyllis "Philly", I call her that too!
She's being fed tonight so I'll probably get her in there on Saturday. Running the heat panel to check temps right now!


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Even on shelf with casters, the hardwood adds some real class to the room. It looks clean and well maintained.

LOL! Philly,,,, she's a good gal!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I still have the lights installed in the groove as well, so if I decide it's too bright for her I can use either set. I'm sure she'd like the dark but I don't want to hunt for pee and poo in a dark cage lol!
I have a feeling she'll outgrow the xl hides as soon as I have the other cages stacked on hers... just to make it a pain to install a bigger sky hide haha. Good to know they fit nicely


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Hope you got the water resistant ones lol. I've had like 4 of the AP non water resistant ones fizzle out on me. I talked to Ali about it and i think its from the humidity since i keep Caesar and the boas around 70-80% and the highest point in the cages is the channel for the lighting. So the condensation just builds up there and must somehow short them out.

Ali had the guys put together a water resistant set for me. Although the ones you got around the perimeter arent in any channel or anything so they probably will get enough air circulation.

And it's not too bad finding a poop. Not sure how big of poop and piss Phyllis leaves but Caesar drops HUGE poops and he lets me know by pacing the front of the cage and windshield wiping lol. And the piss is fairly easy to find as its a giant white blob. I do have to use a flashlight sometimes but i have to use that anyways for the T8s when i check for poops from the boas.

As for the hides, I'm not sure how the jumbos would be mounted. They are different than the plastic from the larges and under. They are more of a textured lighter plastic. Seem really nice but i dont think they are as flexible as the large hide plastics. So i really dont know how they would hold up to be mounted on the ceiling. They do work well on the floor though and still give enough room for the snakes to sit on top of them while under the shelf. Caesar will sit up there a lot.

And I still cant believe you actually got the T25. It was like a myth for the longest time LOL :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Hope you got the water resistant ones lol. I've had like 4 of the AP non water resistant ones fizzle out on me. I talked to Ali about it and i think its from the humidity since i keep Caesar and the boas around 70-80% and the highest point in the cages is the channel for the lighting. So the condensation just builds up there and must somehow short them out.

Ali had the guys put together a water resistant set for me. Although the ones you got around the perimeter arent in any channel or anything so they probably will get enough air circulation.

And it's not too bad finding a poop. Not sure how big of poop and piss Phyllis leaves but Caesar drops HUGE poops and he lets me know by pacing the front of the cage and windshield wiping lol. And the piss is fairly easy to find as its a giant white blob. I do have to use a flashlight sometimes but i have to use that anyways for the T8s when i check for poops from the boas.

As for the hides, I'm not sure how the jumbos would be mounted. They are different than the plastic from the larges and under. They are more of a textured lighter plastic. Seem really nice but i dont think they are as flexible as the large hide plastics. So i really dont know how they would hold up to be mounted on the ceiling. They do work well on the floor though and still give enough room for the snakes to sit on top of them while under the shelf. Caesar will sit up there a lot.

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Oh yeah, I've got waterproof LEDs in all the cages and have never had any issues. I do have the perimeter lights sealed in place with lexel so they won't really get any circulation but I'm sure they'll be fine.
Phyllis drops huge poo, left me a snicker bar sized turd yesterday. Her pisses on the other hand are more often just liquid. Only leaves me white urates maybe once between feedings, so being able the spot the pee soaked substrate with good lighting is a definite plus for me. And I like being able to have the red or blue lights set to a dim light for watching her cruise at night.
I feel like Reinz has jumbo skyhides in at least one of his cages...? If I end up needing them I'll figure out the mounting when I cross that bridge. If they still have that same lip around the edge it shouldn't be any different than mounting the xl hides. I'll update if/when that happens.


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Those of you with 6' wide AP cages with shelves, Reinz and Sauzo and anyone else reading this... any expert tricks or tips for getting the shelf out for cleaning once it's assembled?! It's like threading a camel through the eye of a needle lol! Takes a bit of finagling to get it through the door openings without extreme bending or jamming it into the walls and such.


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I found if you slide them straight forward and then tilt one side to the roof and the other side to the floor, you can move the top part out the door and the rest will follow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Rather than continue adding to my SD retic thread I thought I'd add some pics and description here about my new T25 from animal plastics.
I had AP add a custom raised lower door track because my kalatoa retic loved to jam her head into the gap between the right door and the litter dam in her other AP cage, causing her to get abrasions on her bottom jaw.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...78a555830f.jpg
Also had them groove a channel for LED lights in the rear of the cage. However the 10" wide shelf along the back blocked most of the light from getting to about 80% of the cage floor.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f2f4950cbe.jpg
Very dark and would be hard to see in the cage for general observation or cleaning.
Solution: got another strip of LEDs and sealed them along the top front and sides of the interior, sealing them in place with the Lexel sealant that comes with AP cages.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...beab2c6adc.jpg
Had to drill a hole through the left side vent to feed the connection end of the lights through but it's pretty unnoticeable.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b2696c6257.jpg
Also installed a reptile basics xl hide on the cool side ceiling using mirror mounting brackets screwed into the top of the cage with 3/4" countersink #8 screws. Arboreal hide spot for my bigger retic to explore.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...85ccc9beff.jpg
Also drilled a couple 5/16" holes through the vents in the back wall to feed thermostat probes, thermometer probes, etc in and out of the cage.
Currently just waiting for sealant to cure and then getting the temps dialed in and giving Phyllis some slick new digs! I'll post more pics here and in Phyllis's thread once it's all up and running.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2b1808807b.jpg



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Hey if yoi dont mind me asking, what led set do you have? And are they only 1 color.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

Hey if yoi dont mind me asking, what led set do you have? And are they only 1 color.

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Don't mind at all. I usually get a cheap set off of eBay or amazon but I was impatient and went to Walmart and got a set of indoor/outdoor Mainstays LEDs. 16' long remote control color changing adhesive backed flexible strip. I think it does 20 different colors but I generally only use red and white. They were $18 I think


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I found if you slide them straight forward and then tilt one side to the roof and the other side to the floor, you can move the top part out the door and the rest will follow.

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Thanks man! I feel like if they were an inch less deep they would com out no problem. I'll worry about removing it when I have to do my first good deep cleaning


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Thanks man! I feel like if they were an inch less deep they would com out no problem. I'll worry about removing it when I have to do my first good deep cleaning


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Ah yeah, if you have deep substrate, could be a problem. I only use about 1/2". What you can also do is just scoop the substrate the the side you will be lifting, that way the lowering side will be pretty much bare. Then just do the tilt thing and slide it out.

We're up and running folks!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...37eac30b74.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d6711533a3.jpg
Phyllis seems to approve of her new shelf.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...96985674db.jpg
Made a quick investigation of the sky hide and then promptly fell out of it trying to get back to the shelf hahaha
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...475ad5bc92.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...478a6ab260.jpg
And Gerald scoping out his new/Phyllis's old T8. He's yet to discover his sky hide though
I'll post more pics in their respective threads as I continue to take tons of photos today haha


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Looks good man.

Is that the Pro Coco stuff? If so, it still seems to have a lot the stringy fibers like that PlantIt stuff.

And you know, you actually might be right. Caesar might be as big as Phyllis now.

Gerald is so cute, such a little worm lol. Get that little man a T25. He would probably think he died and went to snake heaven haha.

Oh and see you got the temp unit on the shelf. Be careful as when the snakes are feeling like brats, they will push the unit across the shelf and drop it in the water bowl haha. Freakin Rango just did it a few days ago. And Caesar has done it twice. One thing though, the Acurite units are pretty tough. Take the battery cover off and the battery out and let it air dry for a day and it will work again lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Looks good man.

Is that the Pro Coco stuff? If so, it still seems to have a lot the stringy fibers like that PlantIt stuff.

And you know, you actually might be right. Caesar might be as big as Phyllis now.

Gerald is so cute, such a little worm lol. Get that little man a T25. He would probably think he died and went to snake heaven haha.

Oh and see you got the temp unit on the shelf. Be careful as when the snakes are feeling like brats, they will push the unit across the shelf and drop it in the water bowl haha. Freakin Rango just did it a few days ago. And Caesar has done it twice. One thing though, the Acurite units are pretty tough. Take the battery cover off and the battery out and let it air dry for a day and it will work again lol.

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Thanks! Nah this is the end of my Plant !t/Grow !t stuff. Just wanted to get through it so it's not taking up space. I'll update when I break into the pro coco blocks.
Yeah Caesar and Phyllis are both sturdy critters haha. She's every bit of 8', she just crawled across the front and side of the cage and is almost the full length of the side wall and the front of the cage. [emoji15]
Gerald really is just a cute little worm lol.. I feel like he'd be overwhelmed with space in a 6' cage. He's barely 5' and will be 18 months on September 15th.
I've got the acurite unit secured in place with Velcro and the probe wire is taped to the outside back of the cage, so even if it does get pushed free it's not going to make it as far as the water bowl. I recalled your previous posts about that and took it into consideration when planning this cage [emoji41]
Phyllis is still just cruising all over checking everything out as we speak
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...86de04c79b.jpg


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Haha nice. Yeah Phyllis is definitely longer than Caesar. Caesar is more chunky but i think that might be the mainland and tiger gene at play there. Plus Phyllis is pure Kalatoa so I'm sure that plays into it as well.

And yeah for sure give some shots of that Pro Coco stuff. I knew that new stuff couldnt be Reptichips lol. I can easily see the difference now between the PlantIt and Reptichips. Not a fan of all the stringy stuff to get caught up while eating.

Congratulations JM...looks great. Those T8's really look small now LOL

Gorgeous caging