pvc enclosure refresher

so awhile ago i got a western hognose, used a 2qt tub, had to give her to a friend because i moved in with my grandma and she was/is deathly scared. but recently due to christmas i have a bit of money, and im going to try to negotiate with her that if i buy an enclosure that locks would things be different? theres a vendor near me that sells 24”x12”x12” pvc enclosures with locks for $50. and for the life of me i cant remember the best heating and lighting solution for pvc enclosures. can you guys please help me out?


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For my plastic and pvc enclosures, I use radiant heat panels, however this is for my boas and pythons. These work very well for both ambient temps and a hot spot. Depending on your room temperatures, you may also be able to use just an under tank heater to create your hot spot. My two quarantine setups are in a room with a 77F ambient and uth providing a 88-90F hot spot.

For a hognose, you will have to use extremely small hides in the pvc enclosure. Or maybe use a small tub, but keep the tub locked in the pvc cage. The tub could have an opening and be like a “hide” that the hognose couldvretreat to for security.

For my pvc enclosures, I use a combination of UTH on a thermostat for a hotspot, and a night bulb lamp on a dimmer switch For ambient heat.

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

For a hognose, you will have to use extremely small hides in the pvc enclosure. Or maybe use a small tub, but keep the tub locked in the pvc cage. The tub could have an opening and be like a “hide” that the hognose couldvretreat to for security.

For my pvc enclosures, I use a combination of UTH on a thermostat for a hotspot, and a night bulb lamp on a dimmer switch For ambient heat.

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that im aware of, i already have a few really small hides, and setup wise i planned on making it where there was a lot of coverage on the ground with some leaf litter to burrow under and such.


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Originally Posted by Dianne

For my plastic and pvc enclosures, I use radiant heat panels, however this is for my boas and pythons. These work very well for both ambient temps and a hot spot. Depending on your room temperatures, you may also be able to use just an under tank heater to create your hot spot. My two quarantine setups are in a room with a 77F ambient and uth providing a 88-90F hot spot.

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during the summer itd be manageable, because my room is in the 80s usually, but winter not so much. when using a uth on a pvc enclosure do you put it under the tank like usual, or no?

also, wheres the best place to get a rhp for an enclosure that small?


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Originally Posted by baldegale

during the summer itd be manageable, because my room is in the 80s usually, but winter not so much. when using a uth on a pvc enclosure do you put it under the tank like usual, or no?


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Yes, you would put it underneath the cage. Depending on the style of cage and heat mat, you would either sandwich the probe between the cage and heat mat (cage, probe, uth) or you would have it under the heat mat (cage, uth, probe). I've done it both ways. The biggest thing is that the probe be directly on the heat mat to properly regulate it, in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Yes, you would put it underneath the cage. Depending on the style of cage and heat mat, you would either sandwich the probe between the cage and heat mat (cage, probe, uth) or you would have it under the heat mat (cage, uth, probe). I've done it both ways. The biggest thing is that the probe be directly on the heat mat to properly regulate it, in my opinion.

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alright thanks, this is the only decent picture of their enclosures i could find https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dabb44486e.jpg i have seen them in person though and do really like them.

also, i just want to have a light to help with the day/night cycle, would a small LED shop light work fine for that?


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Originally Posted by baldegale

alright thanks, this is the only decent picture of their enclosures i could find https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dabb44486e.jpg i have seen them in person though and do really like them.

also, i just want to have a light to help with the day/night cycle, would a small LED shop light work fine for that?


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I don't have lights in my cages, but I would think LEDs would be fine. These look like nice cages, a lot like one of the old Barr's cages I have.

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I would think a small LED light would be fine. I hope you get to have your snake with you this way (& finally!). :gj:

(not picturing a small LED "shop light"? Make sure any lights in such enclosures cannot be reached & climbed on by the snake-
many have made "cages" around the lights to prevent shock hazard...)

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I don't have lights in my cages, but I would think LEDs would be fine. These look like nice cages, a lot like one of the old Barr's cages I have.

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they hand make all of them and theyre pretty cheap coming in at $55, and ive talked to them and they said they could install pretty much anything i want for them.

also, wheres a good place to buy RHP? i know theres a website that you can make pretty much any size and theyre high quality i just cant remember the name of it.


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Might want to try http://www.reptilebasics.com/

Who is the vendor? $55 sounds like steal.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Who is the vendor? $55 sounds like steal.

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https://www.facebook.com/47959593542...7095649671045/ they only have a facebook, but they do ship. im just fortunate enough that they always come to the monthly show right down the street from me. you can message them on FB with questions and they answer pretty quick, at least with me they did.


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Originally Posted by baldegale

they hand make all of them and theyre pretty cheap coming in at $55, and ive talked to them and they said they could install pretty much anything i want for them.

also, wheres a good place to buy RHP? i know theres a website that you can make pretty much any size and theyre high quality i just cant remember the name of it.


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I use Pro Products panels. I feel that they are better made than some of the others out there. You do have to call in to make the order, but the plus side to that Bob will make sure you have exactly what is right for the size enclosure and species.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Might want to try http://www.reptilebasics.com/

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did they go down in price? i could’ve sworn they used to be like double that price! Lol!!


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Originally Posted by Dianne

I use Pro Products panels. I feel that they are better made than some of the others out there. You do have to call in to make the order, but the plus side to that Bob will make sure you have exactly what is right for the size enclosure and species.

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alright! ill look into those right now


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Originally Posted by baldegale

did they go down in price? i could’ve sworn they used to be like double that price! Lol!!


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I've never priced their RHPs before, I couldn't say.

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Originally Posted by baldegale

https://www.facebook.com/47959593542...7095649671045/ they only have a facebook, but they do ship. im just fortunate enough that they always come to the monthly show right down the street from me. you can message them on FB with questions and they answer pretty quick, at least with me they did.


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Seems like you need to pick them up at a show as he has had several bad reviews in the last year on orders.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Seems like you need to pick them up at a show as he has had several bad reviews in the last year on orders.

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yeah i see that, that’s unfortunate, if i knew how to ship such things id ship them for yall, but i wouldnt know where to even begin


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Originally Posted by baldegale

yeah i see that, that’s unfortunate, if i knew how to ship such things id ship them for yall, but i wouldnt know where to even begin


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How often does he do shows? I see he's in Dayton as I get to Parkersburg, WV once or twice a year.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

How often does he do shows? I see he's in Dayton as I get to Parkersburg, WV once or twice a year.

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he goes to multiple shows a month. https://www.facebook.com/47959593542...5959080451364/


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Originally Posted by baldegale

he goes to multiple shows a month. https://www.facebook.com/47959593542...5959080451364/


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Which is the one down the street from you?

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Which is the one down the street from you?

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that one he doesnt have listed, even though i messaged him about it, but its the cleveland reptile show, thats how i found out about him in the first place


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Originally Posted by baldegale

that one he doesnt have listed, even though i messaged him about it, but its the cleveland reptile show, thats how i found out about him in the first place


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Could it be that he is protesting LeBron's exit to L.A.?:taz:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Could it be that he is protesting LeBron's exit to L.A.?:taz:

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LOL maybe, hes based in cinci though [emoji23]


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Originally Posted by baldegale

LOL maybe, hes based in cinci though [emoji23]


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Just a stroll up the 3C Highway!

alright everyone, its a go on getting the enclosure and getting my hoggy back. im gonna go with pro products for my RHP even though its more money, also a funny plot twist is that my “female” hognose is now known to be a male (makes a lot of sense.) also my next question(s) are where should the RHP be located? on the roof? also what temp should it be set at and where should i put the probe? and this is @Dianne but how long does the processing and stuff take from pro products?


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Originally Posted by baldegale

alright everyone, its a go on getting the enclosure and getting my hoggy back. im gonna go with pro products for my RHP even though its more money, also a funny plot twist is that my “female” hognose is now known to be a male (makes a lot of sense.) also my next question(s) are where should the RHP be located? on the roof? also what temp should it be set at and where should i put the probe? and this is @Dianne but how long does the processing and stuff take from pro products?


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Great news! So glad you’ll have your guy at home. Yes, the rhp goes on the roof/ceiling inside the enclosure. I have my probe on the back wall of the enclosure, directly under and behind the panel, about an inch and a half off the cage floor. The thermostat is set a bit lower than my actual hotspot, because the probe is not directly under the heat source. When dialing any of my panels in, I set my Accurite thermometer directly under the heat panel. The benefit to these thermometers is that they track a high/low temperature range in addition to the current temperature reading. Once my Accurite has the hot spot reading I want, I leave everything in place 24-48 hours (no snake) and then check the surface temps with my temp gun. If all is well, in goes the snake.

I ordered 3 panels on 11/15/18 and received them in early December, so I’d say 2-3 weeks turn around.

Here's a photo of the panel and probe in one of my 8' cages. These cages have 2 panels due to the size, but the setup principles are the same.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4366b1204a.jpg

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Great news! So glad you’ll have your guy at home. Yes, the rhp goes on the roof/ceiling inside the enclosure. I have my probe on the back wall of the enclosure, directly under and behind the panel, about an inch and a half off the cage floor. The thermostat is set a bit lower than my actual hotspot, because the probe is not directly under the heat source. When dialing any of my panels in, I set my Accurite thermometer directly under the heat panel. The benefit to these thermometers is that they track a high/low temperature range in addition to the current temperature reading. Once my Accurite has the hot spot reading I want, I leave everything in place 24-48 hours (no snake) and then check the surface temps with my temp gun. If all is well, in goes the snake.

I ordered 3 panels on 11/15/18 and received them in early December, so I’d say 2-3 weeks turn around.

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i figured as much on the setting up, i’ll probably order within the next couple days because ill be getting the enclosure on the 20th


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Here's a photo of the panel and probe in one of my 8' cages. These cages have 2 panels due to the size, but the setup principles are the same.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4366b1204a.jpg

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guess another question that arose, how do they mount? is it simple? also whats your guys solutions for wiring cords through


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Originally Posted by baldegale

guess another question that arose, how do they mount? is it simple? also whats your guys solutions for wiring cords through


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I used shorter bolts than Bob provided because I have stacking cages. I predrilled by laying the panel on top of the cage and drilling through the bolt holes, and drilled a hole in the back where the cord lined up to feed the cord through about 1/2 from the cage top. Then I dropped the bolt through a washer then through the holes I drilled. It helps to have 2 people for a larger cage, one to hold the panel in place while you secure the nuts. But a small cage would be easy enough to flip upside down to make fitting the panel over the bolts easier. I secured the panel with lock washers and an acorn nut (you can see it pretty clearly in the foreground of the picture I posted). The bolts I purchased were the depth of the panel plus the thickness of the cage, with an extra 1/4 inch for the lockwasher and nut.

For the probe I drilled another hole about half way down the cage wall under the panel. I fed the probe through the whole, then it is secured in place with a cable strap and small screw. My cage walls are 1/4 thick, but if your cage is thinner like my Barr’s cage, you could either drill 2 holes side by side and secure with a zip tie or use a small bolt and nut through the wall with the cable strap. The small cable straps I got were from Home Depot in the wiring section...basically used for securing lengths of cable or wires to a wall. I guess you could also just leave it hanging loose, just tape the extra cord on the outside to keep it from shifting positions.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I used shorter bolts than Bob provided because I have stacking cages. I predrilled by laying the panel on top of the cage and drilling through the bolt holes, and drilled a hole in the back where the cord lined up to feed the cord through about 1/2 from the cage top. Then I dropped the bolt through a washer then through the holes I drilled. It helps to have 2 people for a larger cage, one to hold the panel in place while you secure the nuts. But a small cage would be easy enough to flip upside down to make fitting the panel over the bolts easier. I secured the panel with lock washers and an acorn nut (you can see it pretty clearly in the foreground of the picture I posted). The bolts I purchased were the depth of the panel plus the thickness of the cage, with an extra 1/4 inch for the lockwasher and nut.

For the probe I drilled another hole about half way down the cage wall under the panel. I fed the probe through the whole, then it is secured in place with a cable strap and small screw. My cage walls are 1/4 thick, but if your cage is thinner like my Barr’s cage, you could either drill 2 holes side by side and secure with a zip tie or use a small bolt and nut through the wall with the cable strap. The small cable straps I got were from Home Depot in the wiring section...basically used for securing lengths of cable or wires to a wall. I guess you could also just leave it hanging loose, just tape the extra cord on the outside to keep it from shifting positions.

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what about using hot glue to secure it? would use hot glue on the cord not the probe itself. how big of a hole did you have to drill to feed the RHP cord through?


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Originally Posted by baldegale

what about using hot glue to secure it? would use hot glue on the cord not the probe itself. how big of a hole did you have to drill to feed the RHP cord through?


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Here's pictures from the inside and outside. The holes are just big enough to feed the cable/wires through. There is no plug on the rhp power cord, they are separate to install after you have run the wire through the cage wall. Super easy to put together. You could probably use hot glue to secure the probe. I'd recommend using low temperature glue to make sure you don't damage the cord. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a88ff381fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1917954553.jpg

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Here's pictures from the inside and outside. The holes are just big enough to feed the cable/wires through. There is no plug on the rhp power cord, they are separate to install after you have run the wire through the cage wall. Super easy to put together. You could probably use hot glue to secure the probe. I'd recommend using low temperature glue to make sure you don't damage the cord. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a88ff381fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1917954553.jpg

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definitely, thanks so much!


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just gonna put the locks on the enclosure myself. the guy is trying to charge $15 for putting a $6 lock on a $55 enclosure. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8b142a4876.jpg i have the drill and bits to do it myself so thats what ill do


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Originally Posted by baldegale

just gonna put the locks on the enclosure myself. the guy is trying to charge $15 for putting a $6 lock on a $55 enclosure. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8b142a4876.jpg i have the drill and bits to do it myself so thats what ill do


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Shouldn't he get something for his labor?

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Shouldn't he get something for his labor?

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i would say yes, if it was something that was tasking, but i know its something that takes literally 5-10 minutes to put on, if he charged $15-$20 to put them on i wouldve gladly paid it, but instead hes charging $15 a piece

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Originally Posted by baldegale

i would say yes, if it was something that was tasking, but i know its something that takes literally 5-10 minutes to put on, if he charged $15-$20 to put them on i wouldve gladly paid it, but instead hes charging $15 a piece

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if you do the math thatd be a price of $54 an hour, which hes charging more to put in a couple of locks than to build the whole thing


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by baldegale

if you do the math thatd be a price of $54 an hour, which hes charging more to put in a couple of locks than to build the whole thing


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You know what they say, accessories, accessories, accessories.