Who to go with?? AP vs Boamaster vs Boaphile vs Reptile Basics

So the hunt for a few bigger enclosures has begun...... in the 6' length size probably a stack of 3 or 4 if I can fit that many (depends on height)

Who owns what and would you buy it again??

I am within a days driving distance of Boamaster & Reptile Basics.

Reptile Basics sells bigger enclosures for pickup only, which is doable if I save and order 4 or so at once. Any input on these?? They look like basic stuff
would really like a shelf option though.

Boamaster is a little closer driving distance, With more options offered Reviews seem to be 50/50 over the past year, some of his bigger 8' enclosures use 3/4" pvc I believe

Ap cages seems to be the go to, have to wait for product (not an issue), lots of options, did send an email to them as their bigger 6' enclosures have to be sent on a pallet freight...
I ask if more than 1 enclosure can go on a pallet to save on shipping waiting for a response, lots of options to choose from

Boaphile - prices include shipping so no added charges, lots of options, but I think I saw where he uses 1/4" pvc where everybody else uses 1/2" ?? Someone please correct me if that is incorrect.... He does have the expandable enclosures that bolt together, so a 6', 7', 8' is possible with a 3' plus 3' or 4' or 2 4' bolted together or you can get a corner block too to do right angles


And what options are useful??

I would go with a shelp for my Corn and Boa, but not for the Pythons
Led lighting would be nice but not needed and could be added later if wanted
Glass or Acrylic doors? Slider or drop down?
Door locks would be a yes
Belly heat would be a yes
Radiant heat panel would not be needed (have a temperature controlled room right now) could be added later if needed?

Sorry if that's a lot of questions, but this is going to be a large expense and I don't want to do it wrong and end up wasting 100's of dollars

Thanks for any input from everybody out there!!

I have an ap t8, and a t25 on the way. I had a t25 many moons ago. Love love LOVE animal plastics cages. Their only downfall to me is the wait time. I ordered my t25 on oct 21 2019. According to the email I have until end of feb early March before I’ll even receive the shipping notice.

ive had 2 boaphiles in the past. It is only 1/4” pvc. I didn’t like the way they bolted together either. The pvc they use is different to ap. It absorbs odors. I had them in use for 2 years. The 6’er smelled horrible no matter what I did after my female boa gave birth. And the seems leaked, after 2 years, in the back. Not knowing that + boa afterbirth= yuck.

I have a 3x2x14 boa master. 3/4 pvc. Doesn’t hold humidity like my t8 does. Holds heat fine. But it is in a dedicated room with ambients that fall no lower than 74°. The pvc seems flimsier to me. Wait time wasn’t bad. Took 2 1/2 weeks from time of order to delivery. Cost me roughly $190 with no door lock for that. Ap t8 (4x2x1) with door lock delivered to my door is 220-230. Boamasters doors (and boaphile) are acrylic. Ap is tempered glass. Only ordered the boa master because I needed something quick. Aps doors slide easier. The lock they offer on the boa master to be shipped with it is just the standard jewelry case lock that slides on between the doors. I found it cheaper on amazon then it was through boamaster. Was also shorted about 7 screws with the boamaster.

I never got any options other than door locks, and just on the ap cages. I use rhps and I just mount them myself. Never had a reptile basics cage so no opinion there.

My opinion...go with AP. You might wait a long time, but you won’t be disappointed.

Given your location and willingness to drive I would also look at offerings from Brendan Tighe/Evolution Reptile in Midland, VA and Chris Chappell at Herptastic in NC.

The only one I would avoid is Boaphile as I think 1/4" PVC isn't adequate for a six foot enclosure, unless you plan on bolting together two 3' enclosures which would leave the center of it better supported. I do have one of their smaller arboreal enclosures and it's very nice.

I use all AP cages so my experience might be limited. I have 3 T25 as well as a couple T15 and a couple A8. Sold off all my T8 as I feel they are too low in height.

I had a retic and a couple boas in my T25s which worked fine. I would opt for the shelf option as you can remove it if wanted but it adds a decent amount of floor space. I used flexwatt for heating. RHPs are good too, I use those on my A8s for my GTPs.

Right now I got 2 gilas and 1 beaded lizard in my T25s and still use the flexwatt set on a Herpstat 6 which also runs the cage lighting. Can’t go wrong with AP but be prepared for a wait.

Forgot to add, I have sliding glass doors on all my cages with locks.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ed665f2555.jpg


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sauzo

i use all ap cages so my experience might be limited. I have 3 t25 as well as a couple t15 and a couple a8. Sold off all my t8 as i feel they are too low in height.

I had a retic and a couple boas in my t25s which worked fine. I would opt for the shelf option as you can remove it if wanted but it adds a decent amount of floor space. I used flexwatt for heating. Rhps are good too, i use those on my a8s for my gtps.

Right now i got 2 gilas and 1 beaded lizard in my t25s and still use the flexwatt set on a herpstat 6 which also runs the cage lighting. Can’t go wrong with ap but be prepared for a wait.

Forgot to add, i have sliding glass doors on all my cages with locks.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ed665f2555.jpg







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nice!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I use all AP cages so my experience might be limited. I have 3 T25 as well as a couple T15 and a couple A8. Sold off all my T8 as I feel they are too low in height.

I had a retic and a couple boas in my T25s which worked fine. I would opt for the shelf option as you can remove it if wanted but it adds a decent amount of floor space. I used flexwatt for heating. RHPs are good too, I use those on my A8s for my GTPs.

Right now I got 2 gilas and 1 beaded lizard in my T25s and still use the flexwatt set on a Herpstat 6 which also runs the cage lighting. Can’t go wrong with AP but be prepared for a wait.

Forgot to add, I have sliding glass doors on all my cages with locks.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ed665f2555.jpg


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Where did you get those large branches? Is that grape wood or ghost wood? Just curious as I may have to get larger pieces as my boa grows. Your enclosures look fantastic btw!!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarkL1561

Where did you get those large branches? Is that grape wood or ghost wood? Just curious as I may have to get larger pieces as my boa grows. Your enclosures look fantastic btw!!


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I was out and about yesterday and stopped by a reptile shop by me and saw them. I instantly grabbed the only 3 they had. I need a few more pieces but have to wait for another shipment. They use them for their tall cages along with drilled and mounted faux rock platforms for their lizards.

They are jumbo grapevine, about 4 feet long each. And yeah they would be awesome for boas. I need 2 more for the beaded and then 2 more for the boas as well as a few smaller pieces I can drill and mount on the cage walls and back.

And thanks. Almost done with them once I get the pieces mounted on the cage walls and back.

I have zero experience with any of the manufacturers you mentioned, except Boaphile. I have nothing bad to say about any of the others, but I have exclusively boaphile tanks.

All 13 of my tanks are Boaphile tanks. I've had really good success with them. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, is a good guy and a straight shooter. He will tell you what you need given room temp, animal requirements, etc.

He does everything from helping you design the tank to installing all the heating elements, vents, etc. He also ships the tanks assembled (except for 6 and 8FT tanks which will come in 3FT or 4FT pieces that join easily).

I have not compared prices, but I imagine Boaphiles are a little more given that they come ready to go. For me, it was worth it in the beginning as I didn't know too much about the different options and wanted to deal with one person. After I had a bunch of his tanks, it made sense to keep going down that road. I have 3 stacks of tanks and have had them for about two years (give or take) and really like them.

Jeff is terrible with emails (he admits it too). However, he is great with calls. Call the number on his website and he will answer or call back in short order.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waterman

I have an ap t8, and a t25 on the way. I had a t25 many moons ago. Love love LOVE animal plastics cages. Their only downfall to me is the wait time. I ordered my t25 on oct 21 2019. According to the email I have until end of feb early March before I’ll even receive the shipping notice.

ive had 2 boaphiles in the past. It is only 1/4” pvc. I didn’t like the way they bolted together either. The pvc they use is different to ap. It absorbs odors. I had them in use for 2 years. The 6’er smelled horrible no matter what I did after my female boa gave birth. And the seems leaked, after 2 years, in the back. Not knowing that + boa afterbirth= yuck.

I have a 3x2x14 boa master. 3/4 pvc. Doesn’t hold humidity like my t8 does. Holds heat fine. But it is in a dedicated room with ambients that fall no lower than 74°. The pvc seems flimsier to me. Wait time wasn’t bad. Took 2 1/2 weeks from time of order to delivery. Cost me roughly $190 with no door lock for that. Ap t8 (4x2x1) with door lock delivered to my door is 220-230. Boamasters doors (and boaphile) are acrylic. Ap is tempered glass. Only ordered the boa master because I needed something quick. Aps doors slide easier. The lock they offer on the boa master to be shipped with it is just the standard jewelry case lock that slides on between the doors. I found it cheaper on amazon then it was through boamaster. Was also shorted about 7 screws with the boamaster.

I never got any options other than door locks, and just on the ap cages. I use rhps and I just mount them myself. Never had a reptile basics cage so no opinion there.

My opinion...go with AP. You might wait a long time, but you won’t be disappointed.

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Well you've had experience will all of them, I appreciate your input on these.....

The t25 is what I would buy from them, freight is like 230.00 on those though now if they can ship 3 on thee same pallet for a little extra for the weight that would be great.... sent them an email asking that question, just waiting for a response.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Given your location and willingness to drive I would also look at offerings from Brendan Tighe/Evolution Reptile in Midland, VA and Chris Chappell at Herptastic in NC.

The only one I would avoid is Boaphile as I think 1/4" PVC isn't adequate for a six foot enclosure, unless you plan on bolting together two 3' enclosures which would leave the center of it better supported. I do have one of their smaller arboreal enclosures and it's very nice.

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Haven't heard of those 2, Thanks! Evolution Reptile is like 30 minutes from me, that's really nice. Followed him on FB, no post since October, and his website is currently down..... Will have to send a message and see if he still builds them.

Herptastic is about 6 hours but nothing an overnite trip won't fix, I'll check him out too

Appreciate the input.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I use all AP cages so my experience might be limited. I have 3 T25 as well as a couple T15 and a couple A8. Sold off all my T8 as I feel they are too low in height.

I had a retic and a couple boas in my T25s which worked fine. I would opt for the shelf option as you can remove it if wanted but it adds a decent amount of floor space. I used flexwatt for heating. RHPs are good too, I use those on my A8s for my GTPs.

Right now I got 2 gilas and 1 beaded lizard in my T25s and still use the flexwatt set on a Herpstat 6 which also runs the cage lighting. Can’t go wrong with AP but be prepared for a wait.

Forgot to add, I have sliding glass doors on all my cages with locks.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ed665f2555.jpg


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That stack of t25's is perfect, just what I would end up doing.... Is that an AP base also?? and do you mind telling me what the total height is of that?

I would definitely go for the shelf option to give the snakes some climbing area and to be able to get out of the substrate if they wanted.

Thanks for the pic and the input

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Well you've had experience will all of them, I appreciate your input on these.....

The t25 is what I would buy from them, freight is like 230.00 on those though now if they can ship 3 on thee same pallet for a little extra for the weight that would be great.... sent them an email asking that question, just waiting for a response.

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call them. You’ll have better luck in my experience

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

I have zero experience with any of the manufacturers you mentioned, except Boaphile. I have nothing bad to say about any of the others, but I have exclusively boaphile tanks.

All 13 of my tanks are Boaphile tanks. I've had really good success with them. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, is a good guy and a straight shooter. He will tell you what you need given room temp, animal requirements, etc.

He does everything from helping you design the tank to installing all the heating elements, vents, etc. He also ships the tanks assembled (except for 6 and 8FT tanks which will come in 3FT or 4FT pieces that join easily).

I have not compared prices, but I imagine Boaphiles are a little more given that they come ready to go. For me, it was worth it in the beginning as I didn't know too much about the different options and wanted to deal with one person. After I had a bunch of his tanks, it made sense to keep going down that road. I have 3 stacks of tanks and have had them for about two years (give or take) and really like them.

Jeff is terrible with emails (he admits it too). However, he is great with calls. Call the number on his website and he will answer or call back in short order.

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Thanks for your input...
I've read your thread about these, shipping might make the price a bit higher being they are assembled, I like the bolt together aspect and the right angle boxes that's a good idea... I might get a hold of him and see if he will work with 1/2" or that's a no can do... he does have lots of options that can be added also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

That stack of t25's is perfect, just what I would end up doing.... Is that an AP base also?? and do you mind telling me what the total height is of that?

I would definitely go for the shelf option to give the snakes some climbing area and to be able to get out of the substrate if they wanted.

Thanks for the pic and the input

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Thanks. Yes, that’s an AP base. The base is 8 inches tall. The whole thing is like 62 inches. I’m 5’10” or so and it’s perfect height.

Also, they do ship 3 on 1 pallet. That’s how I had mine shipped.

I say AP all the way. I have a boaphile and it's pretty solid, but doesn't compare to my APs. They're solid and they let you customize every which way to Sunday.

I have a stack of T10's, a customized T16 for a beardie, and an AP 25 on the way with shelves and perch holders installed.

I recommend getting the shelf as it practically gives extra space, as well as ordering a heat panel from pro products and having it drop shipped for them to install. The wait is excruciating, but you will not regret it

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AP will be the best product with the best customer service the only downside is lead time which can be up to 16 weeks so you always need to plan ahead.

Chris at Herptastic is also a great choice with shorted lead time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avsha531

I say AP all the way. I have a boaphile and it's pretty solid, but doesn't compare to my APs. They're solid and they let you customize every which way to Sunday.

I have a stack of T10's, a customized T16 for a beardie, and an AP 25 on the way with shelves and perch holders installed.

I recommend getting the shelf as it practically gives extra space, as well as ordering a heat panel from pro products and having it drop shipped for them to install. The wait is excruciating, but you will not regret it

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Also forgot to mention, I have the sliding doors on all. Makes feeding hungry pythons less scary lol

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Ive had them all and nothing is like AP. Ive sold all the others and also just ordered another AP. Yes I wait 4 months ever time but when you make these kinds of purchases waiting is worth it. Safety, ease of design and material are top priorities. Ive had problems with the gauge pvc used in other enclosures all the way to their pvc glues coming apart. I had a Burm push the backing off a Boaphile. Thats a high dollar enclosure that I new was a top name so I bought one. Ended up being 1/8th pvc and glued together. At least AP is screwed together and you seal it. My Vision PVC was so flimsy even though it’s one piece the floor warped and swelled up and formed that way because of the heat from the RHP and Tape. The tracts are junk. I have now had AP’s for several years without a single complaint during the same time as the others. I have one last enclosure coming to replace a Boaphile and then all mine are AP. As the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait.


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Thank Everyone for all the replies..... :gj:

Looks like AP is the way to go, No issue on the wait my sneks are good in their enclosures for now.

Now how about the options??

As I have zero experience with pvc enclosures.... I'm using glass right now tanks and terrarium's

I would order cage locks and basking shelves as a definite.

Led lighting? Is is worth being preinstalled? I would get the blue color, or should I just add some from Amazon after I get the cages?

Is the standard venting on the cages ok? or have them add the extra screened vents?

And belly heat vs rhp? These will be in a room where I can control temperature and humidity I can keep the ambient temps at 75-78 in the winter
and humidity at 50% minimum

So should I just get belly heat or if I go for the RHP's can I skip belly heat and just use those or go for both?

This is going to be a large cost so I want to get the options that are worth getting so everything is basically ready to go

Thanks again everyone!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Thank Everyone for all the replies..... :gj:

Looks like AP is the way to go, No issue on the wait my sneks are good in their enclosures for now.

Now how about the options??

As I have zero experience with pvc enclosures.... I'm using glass right now tanks and terrarium's

I would order cage locks and basking shelves as a definite.

Led lighting? Is is worth being preinstalled? I would get the blue color, or should I just add some from Amazon after I get the cages?

Is the standard venting on the cages ok? or have them add the extra screened vents?

And belly heat vs rhp? These will be in a room where I can control temperature and humidity I can keep the ambient temps at 75-78 in the winter
and humidity at 50% minimum

So should I just get belly heat or if I go for the RHP's can I skip belly heat and just use those or go for both?

This is going to be a large cost so I want to get the options that are worth getting so everything is basically ready to go

Thanks again everyone!!

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I personally use RHPs that Bob at Pro Products drop ships to them directly to install, with no belly heat. I run my thermostat probe through the hole they drill for the RHP wire and keep the probe wire in the router channel from the RHP wire. But if the room stays at 75-78 all the time you can just use belly heat, they come standard with channels routed on the right, left, and center of the bottom of the enclosure for thermostat probes.

I personally just have them install the LED, I tried doing it myself on one with Amazon LED strip and it turned into a PIA disaster. They route a channel for it in the back which makes it clean and neat. I prefer it in the back, but you can request if you want the strip closer to the front of middle. I use white, and since they don't come with easy on off switches I bought a power strip with individual switches per outlet and use that to control lighting in my stack.

I have issues with winter humidity, so I personally request less vents. But if your reptile room always has 50% humidity you should be fine with standard venting. Definitely no need for extra screen vents unless it's for an animal (like we did for our beardie cage) that requires lower humidity.

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......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Thank Everyone for all the replies..... :gj:

Looks like AP is the way to go, No issue on the wait my sneks are good in their enclosures for now.

Now how about the options??

As I have zero experience with pvc enclosures.... I'm using glass right now tanks and terrarium's

I would order cage locks and basking shelves as a definite.

Led lighting? Is is worth being preinstalled? I would get the blue color, or should I just add some from Amazon after I get the cages?

Is the standard venting on the cages ok? or have them add the extra screened vents?

And belly heat vs rhp? These will be in a room where I can control temperature and humidity I can keep the ambient temps at 75-78 in the winter
and humidity at 50% minimum

So should I just get belly heat or if I go for the RHP's can I skip belly heat and just use those or go for both?

This is going to be a large cost so I want to get the options that are worth getting so everything is basically ready to go

Thanks again everyone!!

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I would at the very least, get them to do the channels for the lighting. I personally just got the led lights but I wanted a plug and play system. I went with flexwatt for all my cages except my A8s for my GTPs who got Pro Products RHPs for obvious reasons. I keep my reptile room around 75-80F so flexwatt is plenty for them.

Imo if you are spending a good chunk of cash for something that is going to last years if not forever, might as well just go all out and get the bells and whistles. All my cages were ordered with sliding glass doors, locks, flexwatt, shelf and led lighting. Don’t regret it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I would at the very least, get them to do the channels for the lighting. I personally just got the led lights but I wanted a plug and play system. I went with flexwatt for all my cages except my A8s for my GTPs who got Pro Products RHPs for obvious reasons. I keep my reptile room around 75-80F so flexwatt is plenty for them.

Imo if you are spending a good chunk of cash for something that is going to last years if not forever, might as well just go all out and get the bells and whistles. All my cages were ordered with sliding glass doors, locks, flexwatt, shelf and led lighting. Don’t regret it.

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I figured I'm going with the locking, sliding glass doors and I'll have them do the factory led light install also, Definitely going with the shelves and belly heat too

Ran that through their system and my wallet went OUCH!! :rofl: But tax return time is almost here so what better way to any refund I get. So hopefully I can get an order in, in the next 60 days and have it by summer.