Best Animal Plastics setup?

I have a 2 year old ball python, and I'm planning to replace his tank with an Animal Plastics enclosure.

I talked to Animal Plastics employees at their vendor booth at the NARBC this past weekend. They gave me a lot of great information, but they did make it clear that they liked to leave the decisions up to the buyers, as they themselves are not animal keepers. I just want to get and idea of the experience others have had with their products.


They suggested a T3 cage (36L x 24D x 12H) for a full grown male ball python. They could install Flexwatt belly heat on the bottom, and suggested I contact Pro-productswho would install a heat panel before AP even ships me the cage. I asked them if I still would need to have the 8.5" circle screen installed for a heat lamp, or at the very least, extra ventilation.


They told me that the vent at the back of the cage should be sufficient for ventilation, but I COULD have the circle screen installed on the top. Are three heat sources overkill? Of course, they would all be attached to thermostats, but I'd rather just use the panel and belly heat, if that would be sufficient. I'm scared of getting the enclosure made, and then I realize I do or don't want the circle screen later. It's going to cost around $300, so I want to make sure I get it right.


They could also install florescent or LED lights, which would of course just provide the cage with light.


If it would provide him with enough heat (and air) I would not get the circle screen, and just get the panel and belly heat. Also, does Pro-products install the heat panel on the top, or on the side? I've gotten conflicting information.

Get the T8. If your house or the room it will be in is not a constant temperature year round you may look into a RHP to heat the enclosure. You can get the flexwatt heat tape they sell or another brand to offer for under tank heating. The RHP is always attached to the top of the inside of the enclosure. Alternative to pro producte is reptile basics.

Don't get the screen it is not needed. Definitely get the LED option for $40

If you go with two heat sources get a herpstat 2 to control them. You will never need more than two heat sources.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moshimaru

They told me that the vent at the back of the cage should be sufficient for ventilation, but I COULD have the circle screen installed on the top. Are three heat sources overkill?

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I would say 3 heat sources are indeed overkill. I can't see you needing more than a RHP and belly heat, most just use a RHP.

Also, I agree with SDA. Skip the cirlcular screen and invest in the LED light option. Additionally, go with a T-8 or even better, a T-10. The T-8 is on sale for (ironically) less than the T3 and gives you another foot of space. I personally have come not to like 12" caging though. While the height is probably fine for the snakes, I find 12" with subtrate and everything to be too short to do things in the cage and is less aesthetically pleasing for viewing purposes, though you can fit more snakes in a stack that way. For $45 more, the extra height is totally worth it.

Something else to keep in mind is the interior dimensions are about 2 inches shorter, so I'm seconding T10 for ease of access and cleaning.

also thirding the LED lights!

I keep my ball python (and boas) in T10's with RHP's and controlled by Herpstat. Having that extra height for cleaning is nice. The ball python does utilize the shelf as well.

Go with a T10. I have 3 T10s, 3 T8s and 3 T25s and for my 4.5' female BP, i use a T10 with a shelf. T8s will work but i personally feel they are kind of short. I use them for my baby or juvenile boas but a T10 with a shelf will give your BP lots of stuff to do and they will use a shelf if provided with one.

As for heating, it depends how cold your room gets. If it stays above 75F, then flexwatt should be plenty. If it drops below 75F, then i would use a RHP.

And i would for sure get the LEDs installed. They look really nice and are clean and recessed into the top so there are not wires or anything for the snake to pull down.

You dont need any more venting than the supplied ones. Dont add any circle cut screens or anything.

RHPs are installed on the top inside of the cage on one side. If you opt for one over flexwatt, then you can have Pro Product drop ship it to AP and they will install it.

Personally all my cages are the same setup as in sliding glass doors, locks, LEDs, shelf and flexwatt.

Here is a pic of the T8s compared to T10s to give you an idea. The top 2 are T8s and the bottom 2 are T10s.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8b6bcd3c_h.jpg

Nth-ing the advice to skip the screen. We have a bunch of T8s and other AP cages, and the snakes are all good with UTH and/or RHPs. If we didn’t have the T8s divided I’d have gotten shelves in them, all the snakes in non-divided cages have and use the shelves.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I run T8's with Pro Products RHP's.....and I've had them for six years without fail. Boas, balls, carpets.....and I've never had any digestive problems.

I haven't had any problems with a RHP being my only hear source.....and as a matter of fact thats what Pro Products recommended. There is plenty of heat transmitted into anything below the panel.

Three sources? WAY overkill. I wouldn't go with the circle screens but that's just me.

RHP'so alone will suffice, and if you're paranoid get flex watt as well.

There is a PERFECT amount of ventilation without the screens alone.....too much ventilation=low humidity in many climates.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Go with a T10. I have 3 T10s, 3 T8s and 3 T25s and for my 4.5' female BP, i use a T10 with a shelf. T8s will work but i personally feel they are kind of short. I use them for my baby or juvenile boas but a T10 with a shelf will give your BP lots of stuff to do and they will use a shelf if provided with one.

As for heating, it depends how cold your room gets. If it stays above 75F, then flexwatt should be plenty. If it drops below 75F, then i would use a RHP.

And i would for sure get the LEDs installed. They look really nice and are clean and recessed into the top so there are not wires or anything for the snake to pull down.

You dont need any more venting than the supplied ones. Dont add any circle cut screens or anything.

RHPs are installed on the top inside of the cage on one side. If you opt for one over flexwatt, then you can have Pro Product drop ship it to AP and they will install it.

Personally all my cages are the same setup as in sliding glass doors, locks, LEDs, shelf and flexwatt.

Here is a pic of the T8s compared to T10s to give you an idea. The top 2 are T8s and the bottom 2 are T10s.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8b6bcd3c_h.jpg

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That is so sweet! I wish I could junk my homemade rack and tub system and get THAT SETUP! Sadly I am broke... Someday.

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

That is so sweet! I wish I could junk my homemade rack and tub system and get THAT SETUP! Sadly I am broke... Someday.

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So is Sauzo now - As am I after 5 T10's (ball python and 4 boas) and a T12 for my carpet all with PP RHP's and Herpstat. To think, I got my first snake Nov 2016...LOL

Thanks everyone! All of this information is really great! I think I will definitely go with the T8, and maybe even the T10. I just have my one guy right now, but knowing that they are stackable is excellent information for the future. Also, I have been convinced to not get the screen! :P The response on that was overwhelming.

AP's website is kind of a pain to handle. I don't even see an option for purchasing LED lights anywhere on their site. When I was talking to them at NARBC, it seemed as though I could do the ordering over the phone. Is that how people typically have ordered with them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Go with a T10. I have 3 T10s, 3 T8s and 3 T25s and for my 4.5' female BP, i use a T10 with a shelf. T8s will work but i personally feel they are kind of short. I use them for my baby or juvenile boas but a T10 with a shelf will give your BP lots of stuff to do and they will use a shelf if provided with one.

As for heating, it depends how cold your room gets. If it stays above 75F, then flexwatt should be plenty. If it drops below 75F, then i would use a RHP.

And i would for sure get the LEDs installed. They look really nice and are clean and recessed into the top so there are not wires or anything for the snake to pull down.

You dont need any more venting than the supplied ones. Dont add any circle cut screens or anything.

RHPs are installed on the top inside of the cage on one side. If you opt for one over flexwatt, then you can have Pro Product drop ship it to AP and they will install it.

Personally all my cages are the same setup as in sliding glass doors, locks, LEDs, shelf and flexwatt.

Here is a pic of the T8s compared to T10s to give you an idea. The top 2 are T8s and the bottom 2 are T10s.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8b6bcd3c_h.jpg

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Sauzo, I aspire to have a setup like yours! :D

I've used the email system to get in touch with them. Ali answers every message, but it's usually at night before she gets to them. You could shoot them an email today with all of your specs, and by tomorrow morning she should respond with a quote and directions for placing your order. Or you could just call her. :)

The LED lights are not listed on their website yet.

You'll notice a trend in the herp community where website evolution stopped right around the good old year of 2002 or so....:rofl:

I always emailed AP. Order turnaround time was not speedy for me, but I didn't mind.....it just made it all the better when I got that giant Fedex box in the mail.

I recommend calling Pro Products......I can't remember the owner's name but the information he gave me was worth it's weight in gold about setting up your cage and the heating requirements needed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moshimaru

Thanks everyone! All of this information is really great! I think I will definitely go with the T8, and maybe even the T10. I just have my one guy right now, but knowing that they are stackable is excellent information for the future. Also, I have been convinced to not get the screen! :P The response on that was overwhelming.

AP's website is kind of a pain to handle. I don't even see an option for purchasing LED lights anywhere on their site. When I was talking to them at NARBC, it seemed as though I could do the ordering over the phone. Is that how people typically have ordered with them?

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I spoke with Ali through e-mail Wed. and she said they are SLAMMED right now. With Tinley adding additional orders they are going to be VERY BUSY for a while to say the least. She's doing all she can to catch and keep up with phone calls and e-mails so be patient with her and she'll do everything she can for you. You can talk with her about options for your enclosure (LED's, glass doors, locks, etc...) when you get that phone call.

Their website is in need of an upgrade and she admitted it needed to be done when I spoke with her in February. When that happens I would expect pricing will change as well as they haven't had time to update the webpage due to their web developer not working for them any longer if I remember correctly.

They truly offer a superior enclosure at a great price in my opinion and if takes a little longer for delivery, I'll wait. LOL

Don't forget other manufacturers like Reptile Basics. I have their 4'x2'x15" ordered finally and will do a build write up once I have it delivered. I wanted a single flip down door and they fit the bill.