Still waiting on my T10

Now, I'll preface this and say that I know that AP takes a long while to fulfill orders even on a good day, and covid delays have been making wait times even worse for everybody. But even so, it's been over 6 months now without a word and my mother keeps asking me about "when the snake thing I ordered is supposed to get here" and I don't have an answer for her. And it goes without saying that it's a sunken cost situation at this point since I've already waited this long, paid in full and the RHP I ordered to be installed with it was already shipped to their facility a few months prior (and Pro Products has been having their own supply issues so I got off lucky there), so there's no backing out now.

Should I just call or email them for an update? I'd hate to be that guy since I imagine they're getting calls like that all the time but, the wait's getting to be a little too much...

18-34 weeks is their lead times right now and you're still within that at 6 months. Even 6 months ago the lead times were upwards of 30 weeks, and while I understand the frustration it is what it is. We did warn you that this wouldn't be a quick order. Wouldn't hurt to send a email or call just to check in but that doesn't mean you're gonna get something shipped out tomorrow.

Price of materials has increased a lot in the last few months as supplies have dwindled.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavir...309dae0354cf53

The only update you'll get is when it ships. Drop an e-mail or call. Did your Pro-Heat ship to AP already?

If you even think you'll get another snake, place the order now for the cage!


Good luck!

I am waiting on four cages myself. I knew going in they were way behind so I am not worried about it. I did order cages before I usually would have though trying to make up for the wait time. By they time I get them the intended residents should be close enough in size to move from where they are to their new home.

I would just explain to your mother they are a well known and trusted cage maker in the reptile industry. They are doing their best with what they have and you will get you cage. That is a fact. Maybe not when you thought but you will get it.

I don't even remember who I ordered my current 4ft cages from but I ordered three together. This was 10 years ago so no covid nonsense getting in the way. It took me over a year to get all three and that was not explained or expected. I was not pleased.

Once you get the AP cage you will be nothing but happy which is why I went with them even knowing of the long wait time. They are very nice.

I ordered a T8 in early May and checked in with them a few weeks ago and they said they were anticipating late October or early November for mine to ship. That's around 24-28 weeks. So they ARE moving forward...

Sent them a message earlier today, guess I'll get a response tomorrow.

Part of the reason is because I'm a few days into my new job (the pet sitting one I mentioned before, for the first time I feel like I naturally fit into a job and my boss has already said how great I'm doing) so there's that feeling of things finally moving forward in my life. That and I want to try a basking lamp + UVB for my BP once the enclosure gets here so I can see how that plus the extra space makes any difference in behavior (i.e. not being a rock 24/7) since I heard so many owner accounts happening as such with their BPs. Even if it doesn't change his behavior in any significant way, I want to do it to provide the very best for him. No snake of mine is going to live out their whole lives in a dark tub under my watch, that's for sure. :colbert:

So with both factors in mind, I have admittedly grown a little impatient. But I'm aware that I will still have to wait a while yet, just mild frustration is all.

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Originally Posted by tempo36

I ordered a T8 in early May and checked in with them a few weeks ago and they said they were anticipating late October or early November for mine to ship. That's around 24-28 weeks. So they ARE moving forward...

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I ordered a T18 in May, June and July as funds allowed. So that's a good sign

I received this on May 21st "Due to the current order volume we unfortunately have to ask that you
PLEASE ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 18-26 WEEKS FOR MANUFACTURE"

So Hopefully my shipments will arrive before Christmas, and I can get the bigger snakes into a new home

I know since then it has moved up to 18 to 34 weeks currently, and the sale on the T10's has ended

and now there's this https://apcages.com/pages/coming-soon-stayed-tuned "
COMING SOON!! STAYED TUNED

SOMETHING INCREDIBLY EXCITING IS HAPPENING SOON!


I don't understand that though... they haven't been able to keep up on their shipping for years I believe, but their going ahead with new stuff???

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

...I don't understand that though... they haven't been able to keep up on their shipping for years I believe, but their going ahead with new stuff???

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It's a BUSINESS. They want to grow & they're already well-known & respected. What's not to understand? And being slow hasn't hurt them yet? (that says they don't have much competition)

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

I don't understand that though... they haven't been able to keep up on their shipping for years I believe, but their going ahead with new stuff???
[/SIZE][/FONT]

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The cage and rack I ordered from them..... Different times...... Arrived in the time frame quoted at that time. This was a good while ago. Way before covid.

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

......and now there's this https://apcages.com/pages/coming-soon-stayed-tuned "
COMING SOON!! STAYED TUNED

SOMETHING INCREDIBLY EXCITING IS HAPPENING SOON!.......

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Well this is Cool, Here's the new design enclosures. Looks like price is the same, pick your design:

https://apcages.com/pages/ap-signature-series-cages

AP Signature Series

The all new AP Signature Series cage line features a proprietary design engineered for a classy look with "EZ Build" features. The AP Signature Series (APS) features an inset/overhang look, unique and proprietary to Animal Plastics. You will be able to identify an APS cage from 20 feet away with the unique design. We are so excited about this line we have begun the process of acquiring a design patent, ensuring that no mimic cages can be produced. This design is available for all cages and custom cages.

The APS line is also faster to produce, box, and ship to help us overcome our long lead times. Furthermore, if you thought our traditional line of cages was a snap to assemble, wait until you assemble the APS line with EZ Build engineering. A design so intricate that we may no longer have to pre-assemble our unites prior to shipping. This will absolutely make an enormous dent in our lead times.
Another major benefit to the new design is when they are stacked side by side, the small inset/overhang of the cages allows about 1/2" of air gap between the two cages for better, cleaner ventilation for each individual cage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Well this is Cool, Here's the new design enclosures. Looks like price is the same, pick your design:

https://apcages.com/pages/ap-signature-series-cages

AP Signature Series

The all new AP Signature Series cage line features a proprietary design engineered for a classy look with "EZ Build" features. The AP Signature Series (APS) features an inset/overhang look, unique and proprietary to Animal Plastics. You will be able to identify an APS cage from 20 feet away with the unique design. We are so excited about this line we have begun the process of acquiring a design patent, ensuring that no mimic cages can be produced. This design is available for all cages and custom cages.

The APS line is also faster to produce, box, and ship to help us overcome our long lead times. Furthermore, if you thought our traditional line of cages was a snap to assemble, wait until you assemble the APS line with EZ Build engineering. A design so intricate that we may no longer have to pre-assemble our unites prior to shipping. This will absolutely make an enormous dent in our lead times.
Another major benefit to the new design is when they are stacked side by side, the small inset/overhang of the cages allows about 1/2" of air gap between the two cages for better, cleaner ventilation for each individual cage.

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Considering their track record even pre-2020, color me skeptical. Would be nice if that proves true, but otherwise I can't say I'm fond of ordering from them again anytime soon, if ever.

Speaking of which, I did finally get an email reply.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...42/unknown.png
Except this was sent on the 12th (which in itself was some time after I sent the voicemail). Haven't heard anything since, certainly no notification about it being shipped. Can't say I've been pleased with their communication prowess. :hmm:

I ordered 6 t8 from them in July, so it’s bulk instead of the quick ship promise. I emailed them and was told within the first quarter of the year….I’m in no rush but hey they got their money


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know. I'm just not feeling anything negative about it, but I knew going in there was a wait. Maybe that's it's though. I knew there was a wait and ordered before I was in a position of need so I have no stress. Or maybe it's because I know most nice custom cages take awhile..... Good things come to those that wait?

The AP quality is certainly worth the wait in my opinion. Sure you could order elsewhere and maybe get them quicker.... But will they be better.... Or even as good. Probably not.

As for communication. I don't need much of that. When they ship they'll let me know and that's all that matters to me. No word simply means I'm still waiting. I don't need them wasting time telling me and everybody else that we're still waiting. I have that figured out.

I find it hard to believe that AP is unmatched in quality. The price for the quality probably but not the overall pinnacle of craftsmanship. I get that good things come to those who wait and I'd like to think I have some patience in my soul but nearly a year is stretching it if you ask me, especially when their competitors have significantly shorter wait times for what's essentially the same type of product.

I would be more gracious about the whole thing considering the perpetual supply problems everyone is plagued with, but going by personal accounts in this very forum their logistics and production speeds have been an issue long beforehand.

Maybe my tune will change once it eventually gets here and I actually get to experience the item I put down all that money for, as keep in mind I've never had a PVC setup of any kind before, but for the time being I'd be lying if I said I haven't gotten a little irked by now.

"I find it hard to believe that AP is unmatched in quality."

Well, they aren't ARS caging(8-10 week wait). But one is a metal rack system an the other is CDPVC. I haven't found another cage using 1/2"CDPVC, yet. An I've tried to get a Master Cabinet maker to copy one for me. He couldn't beat the price an time wise it would be a wash (unless he or I had sourced everything first).

Where AP shines for caging is the larger ones. The wait sucks. The only thing I know that is worse would be the ATF. Waiting on stamps can take a year. While your 40K investment is siting in jail waiting on to Gov to approve ownership an transfer for what you paid for.

If you don't want the wait. Find another cage you like. Buy it an after it gets delivered cancel the AP. AP will refund your money. If the cage is built an done they will do a refund after they sell it.

Me, I just ordered another T60 an I really need a T100. Or a bigger house just for the snakes.

The wait is worth it.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by 303_enfield

"I find it hard to believe that AP is unmatched in quality."

Well, they aren't ARS caging(8-10 week wait). But one is a metal rack system an the other is CDPVC. I haven't found another cage using 1/2"CDPVC, yet. An I've tried to get a Master Cabinet maker to copy one for me. He couldn't beat the price an time wise it would be a wash (unless he or I had sourced everything first).

Where AP shines for caging is the larger ones. The wait sucks. The only thing I know that is worse would be the ATF. Waiting on stamps can take a year. While your 40K investment is siting in jail waiting on to Gov to approve ownership an transfer for what you paid for.

If you don't want the wait. Find another cage you like. Buy it an after it gets delivered cancel the AP. AP will refund your money. If the cage is built an done they will do a refund after they sell it.

Me, I just ordered another T60 an I really need a T100. Or a bigger house just for the snakes.

The wait is worth it.

Good luck!

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At this point this is more about future caging. I've already waited this long for the T10 so it'd be dumb to cancel the order now.

I agree there are some others that are the same or better. Like 303_enfield said the big ones really start adding up though. Other than AP I like PVCcages ( http://pvccages.com/ ). They're awesome and great for my GTP and ETB. Building the ones out I wanted was much more than AP. I just couldn't justify it having AP as an option.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Building the ones out I wanted was much more than AP. I just couldn't justify it having AP as an option.

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This was my thought too. The price of a AP enclosure, for the quality product you get, is great. I can't justify spending $200-$300 more just to get something a few weeks faster. I looked into Kages and a few other places before putting in my first AP order and for the price I feel like I went the right direction with AP. I also ordered it well in advance of actually needing it, which I think is the advice I'd give to OP for next time. Personally, I think we're just spoiled with places like Amazon who will get you what you want next day, if you have to wait for something people lose their minds.

You're also right about AP being slow way before covid or any current supply chain issues caused by covid. They're a small family-owned business catering to a single hobby. They're not like say Central Garden & Pet that own Zilla, Aqueon, Kent, and Coralife, so they're in more than one hobby. They're only doing this one thing and, in my experience, when you have a company that only produces one thing, that thing is typically good. It’s been said here many times, you show your support with your money. If you're unhappy with the wait, product, or communication, don't buy from them again.

At the end of the day, AP is very transparent on the front end about the wait time. Its our responsibility to determine if we can afford the wait, and if not find other options.

In hindsight, the wait feels longer because I got it well after the snake itself already arrived home due to my indecisiveness in what his permanent enclosure would actually be, so my impatience is higher than it would be normally since I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs looking forlornly at my BP sitting in a tub while I see a bunch of other owners online with their BPs enjoying a full PVC home. A strange form of envy in other words.

But for the next time I'll ideally have already had an order filled out ahead of time before I even put down a cent for a new occupant (which would be my coveted VBBRS), it wouldn't be moving into it immediately anyway as it'll be in a quarantine tub for a couple months or so be default, and if I do order from AP again it'd be from their new signature cage series which would supposedly mean a shorter turnaround time.

The biggest hangup however, once again, is the size. Even now I still hear so much back and forth about if blue beauties ultimately grow to 6-7 feet to 8-9. Only thing I know for sure is I want one that's 4' tall for arboreal opportunities, but I'm perpetually mulling over if 6' is long enough for a permanent home or if I need to go for the full 8 footer, because I really don't want to go through multiple enclosures as it grows and would prefer a one-and-done quarantine tub to adult enclosure type of deal.

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

In hindsight, the wait feels longer because I got it well after the snake itself already arrived home due to my indecisiveness in what his permanent enclosure would actually be, so my impatience is higher than it would be normally since I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs looking forlornly at my BP sitting in a tub while I see a bunch of other owners online with their BPs enjoying a full PVC home. A strange form of envy in other words.

But for the next time I'll ideally have already had an order filled out ahead of time before I even put down a cent for a new occupant (which would be my coveted VBBRS), it wouldn't be moving into it immediately anyway as it'll be in a quarantine tub for a couple months or so be default, and if I do order from AP again it'd be from their new signature cage series which would supposedly mean a shorter turnaround time.

The biggest hangup however, once again, is the size. Even now I still hear so much back and forth about if blue beauties ultimately grow to 6-7 feet to 8-9. Only thing I know for sure is I want one that's 4' tall for arboreal opportunities, but I'm perpetually mulling over if 6' is long enough for a permanent home or if I need to go for the full 8 footer, because I really don't want to go through multiple enclosures as it grows and would prefer a one-and-done quarantine tub to adult enclosure type of deal.

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You know what they say, right? "A watched pot never boils." :cool: Yes, you need to divert your attention to other things while you wait.

As far as their maximum growth, it all depends on how long snakes live, & like anything else, that depends on them having good genes, good care (w/ plenty of food & proper temperatures), plus good luck (to avoid illness & injury). So really, NO one can tell you how big yours might get- ever notice how many kids get taller than their parents? So even assessing the breeders won't guarantee the ultimate size of any snake you get- snakes grow their whole life, but growth just slows down when they get older.

It's been a month since I got the reply email that my T10 is "in the works" and "ready to ship within the week" and my mother keeps getting on my case about it as if I can just demand that they ship the cage on command. :sigh2:

Move out. Lol!

My mom hates my snakes and doesn't understand them at all. Luckily that's no concern to me because.... My house my rules.

Just be glad she's letting you have it. The Blonde Hognose I got a few months back was bought from a guy that bought it without permission and when he got home his mom said, "NOPE!" I was nice and paid him what he spent.

So it could always be worse.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Move out. Lol!

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If I had the means, I would've been gone a long time ago. But even now that I have a job it's not even remotely possible, I'm just not making enough money (I don't even have nor can I afford my own car at this time to put things in perspective). The price of, well, everything going up sure doesn't help either...

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

The price of, well, everything going up sure doesn't help either...

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It sure doesn't!

Vote!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

If I had the means, I would've been gone a long time ago. But even now that I have a job it's not even remotely possible, I'm just not making enough money (I don't even have nor can I afford my own car at this time to put things in perspective). The price of, well, everything going up sure doesn't help either...

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I'll be honest- your priorities are a bit off. You should be putting money aside for your own car instead of taking on more pets. Having your own car will help you get to a better job, to be self-supporting & getting your own life together, & THEN you can work on getting your dream pets. Right now, getting more pets is self-defeating & keeps you "stuck" at home, even though it makes you feel good for the moment. There will ALWAYS be factors like "the economy" to point to & blame- that's just an excuse.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'll be honest- your priorities are a bit off. You should be putting money aside for your own car instead of taking on more pets. Having your own car will help you get to a better job, to be self-supporting & getting your own life together, & THEN you can work on getting your dream pets. Right now, getting more pets is self-defeating & keeps you "stuck" at home, even though it makes you feel good for the moment. There will ALWAYS be factors like "the economy" to point to & blame- that's just an excuse.

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My mother's pretty adamant on not letting me get anything else anyway. And now that I'm actually doing something with my life instead of sitting in front of a computer wasting my time all day I'm not dwelling on it as much either.

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

My mother's pretty adamant on not letting me get anything else anyway. And now that I'm actually doing something with my life instead of sitting in front of a computer wasting my time all day I'm not dwelling on it as much either.

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She's got the right idea, though maybe not for the same reason, lol. (ie. some parents would prefer that we never grew up & moved out on our own, but that's probably not in your best interest.)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

She's got the right idea, though maybe not for the same reason, lol. (ie. some parents would prefer that we never grew up & moved out on our own, but that's probably not in your best interest.)

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Oh no, they definitely want me to leave. Not in a "kick me out" fashion but they do want to see me gain independence and, well, be a proper adult. It's just taking me a long time to get there...

Well, stick with it- it's worth it. ;) In fact, independence is habit-forming, lol.

It arrived today! :D

It's over halfway assembled but the instructions for some reason have you put the top panel on, but then take it off to apply the sealant? So I just didn't put the top panel on yet and am waiting for the sealant to cure.

Hooray! :dance: Can't help with your assembly question (maybe they just want you to be sure exactly how it goes on & that it fits?), but I'm glad your wait is over & apparently it got there safely too, which is never a "given". Many things are taking longer to ship & arrive these days, & there's many reasons for that. People who build things are also experiencing delays in getting needed materials shipped to them, so that messes up their estimates too. Not everything is in our control, or theirs, so always consider that before you blame or complain. People with good business reputations are generally doing the very best they can under the current circumstances.

From the sound of the instructions the sealing thing is optional? Anyway, going to give a day or so to cure then I'll finish getting it all set up, decorated and dialed in so I can monitor it for a time before the big boy moves in. It's exciting. :D

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

From the sound of the instructions the sealing thing is optional? Anyway, going to give a day or so to cure then I'll finish getting it all set up, decorated and dialed in so I can monitor it for a time before the big boy moves in. It's exciting. :D

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It is optional.

I think they have you take the top off to make it easier to seal. I didn't do that though and sealed it once it was all together.

Well, it's all but assembled now. Going to give it another day for the sealant to cure further. I decided to just screw in the roof panel and finish sealing top end, though I was a dummy and tried doing the last seam upside-down which led to a glob getting on the back panel and now there's an ugly smear. Can just hide it with decor I guess.

In hindsight though, I wish I went for the full 4x2x2... The 15" height feels rather short, even if I never did see him utilize climbing opportunities I offered back when he was in a tank. But alas, far too late now, and at the time I was on limited funds anyway so I had to be conservative. On the bright side I didn't go with the even shorter T8 (12" height) like I initially planned.

Also how does the lock work? Are you supposed to leave the "key" in the lock to keep it locked? Or does the smaller one do that? Quite confused as to how that works. :confusd:

I only seal the bottom seam.

The 15 inch is good once you start stacking them because you can stack 3 or 4 without being crazy tall..... Depending on what the first one is on and how tall you are. My 3 are on a regular height table so they're pretty tall, but I'm tall enough to see in the high one and clean fine. But my wife would need a stool. 24 inch get yeah real quick when stacked.

I leave the keys in my locks but it's just my wife and I so I don't have anybody else to worry about.

The instructions did say to not bother sealing the top seams as it was unnecessary, but I did it anyway because I'm paranoid or something idk. :confuzd:

And I mean, there won't be any other snakes for a long while yet so I wasn't exactly worried about "stackability" at this time. ;)

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

The instructions did say to not bother sealing the top seams as it was unnecessary, but I did it anyway because I'm paranoid or something idk. :confuzd:

And I mean, there won't be any other snakes for a long while yet so I wasn't exactly worried about "stackability" at this time. ;)

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You’re only sealing the bottom because they expect there to be some moisture down there. That maybe pee, water from the bowl, water from you misting, etc etc. It’s just a way to keep the enclosure from leaking. I’m glad your enclosure finally came in, and I think you’ll find that the 15inch height is plenty for a BP. Once mine got use to the enclosure, he made, and still makes, use of the entire thing.

Also about the key, you don't HAVE to leave them in if you don't want to. I have a 2 year old so I leave mine on top of the enclosure out of reach. The lock itself will keep the door shut without the key in it.

While on the subject, how exactly do RHPs work again? I will have it on a thermostat obviously but do I just put the probe somewhere under where the panel? And would I need any other heating element or is the RHP sufficient enough on its own?

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

While on the subject, how exactly do RHPs work again? I will have it on a thermostat obviously but do I just put the probe somewhere under where the panel? And would I need any other heating element or is the RHP sufficient enough on its own?

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It could/should be sufficient alone. Depends on the room and how cold it can get. I keep a cold home so my snake room needs a oil filled heater to help air temps.

For my probes this is what I do.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...91#post2359891

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Originally Posted by KMG

It could/should be sufficient alone. Depends on the room and how cold it can get. I keep a cold home so my snake room needs a oil filled heater to help air temps.

For my probes this is what I do.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...91#post2359891

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I was going to recommend KMG's probe placement. My snake room stays at the coolest 70 and warmest 75-77 so a RHP by itself does what I need it to do with no other heat sources.

Couldn't find anything to get it close to the RHP so I just dangled it below for now. Here's how it looks atm. Obviously it will have hides and branches and what have you but this is what I could throw together just to get it running and dial in temps. Gotta say I'm impressed with how this RHP works. Just perfectly warms the whole enclosure with the right gradient all at once. And the device itself is almost cool enough to touch even when on and is so efficient you don't even feel any heat from the other side of the panel. Amazing.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9275d80187.jpg

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

Couldn't find anything to get it close to the RHP so I just dangled it below for now. Here's how it looks atm. Obviously it will have hides and branches and what have you but this is what I could throw together just to get it running and dial in temps. Gotta say I'm impressed with how this RHP works. Just perfectly warms the whole enclosure with the right gradient all at once. And the device itself is almost cool enough to touch even when on and is so efficient you don't even feel any heat from the other side of the panel. Amazing.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9275d80187.jpg

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

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If you like my method go with that picture to any hardware store and ask them to show you a similar cable strap. That and some super glue will have you all set.

Forgot to mention this, but I went to my local hardware store as I was getting everything set up (I love the place, they've been so helpful to me in the past) and showed them the pic of the cable strap KMG posted and they immediately showed me to an almost carbon copy of what I showed posted (just black instead of white). Very nice. :gj: