Animal Plastics

I just ordered a T5 Terrestrial Cage from Animals Plastics because I want the best for my BP and am sick of my 40 gallon glass cage! I got it with belly heat, and a 8.5 inch circle on the top. For any of you have one how easy are they to put together? Also with the belly heat and a heat lamp 50-100 watt will that be enough to get the temps I need? And how easy does this cage hold humidity?

Thanks Any Info on this will help me lots!!

Mike :snake:

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Originally Posted by 8b8ll

I just ordered a T5 Terrestrial Cage from Animals Plastics because I want the best for my BP and am sick of my 40 gallon glass cage! I got it with belly heat, and a 8.5 inch circle on the top. For any of you have one how easy are they to put together? Also with the belly heat and a heat lamp 50-100 watt will that be enough to get the temps I need? And how easy does this cage hold humidity?

Thanks Any Info on this will help me lots!!

Mike :snake:

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It is pretty easy to put together, just take your time and follow the directions. I have a larger T-10, with the belly heat and a CHE on the cool side and the temps are usually perfect. Humidity is usually not too much of an issue, but I am having problems during the winter because the house is so dry from the heat being on. I still have to spray the cage down everyday but it is nowhere near as bad as when I used an aquarium. You should have better luck with the smaller T-5 as well since there is less space to heat and keep humid. Good luck, you will love it. If you need help or have questions, I'll be happy to help.
BTW, this should probably go in the Caging Forum, and if you do a search there for Animal Plastics, there should be several threads that will help you out.

Thanks a lot for the quick response!! I have checked the search before and didn't find a personal expierence really so thanks!

Their caging and racks are awesome. Assembly is very easy. They come with a caulking to seal the joints to keep it waterproof. Just make sure you allow ample time for this to air out before putting the snake in. You will also need a thermostat to use on the belly heat as it can get too hot without something regulating it's output. I use Helix, but others are available. Good luck.

Josh:partyon:

Alrighty thanks a lot! All I have is a dimmer right now..that doesn't work for the belly heat does it?

I need to rehome Monty and looking at the AP site like what I see but I am a bit baffled by some fo the terminology. What is a CHE? Some of the other otpions are alos nto too obvious - internal heat shroud? what form is the fluorescent fixture?

If I ordered with belly heat then all i should need is a decent thermostat and I'm sorted, right?

I hope AP ship to europe for a reasonable rate.

A CHE is a Ceramic Heat Emitter, it is a non-light emitting heat source, that screws into a lamp just like a lightbulb. They are a little more expensive but are supposed to last up to five years.
The fluorescent fixture is an under cabinet style that you could probably get at a hardware store. The one I have is 18 inches long and really helps to see when I am cleaning. I don't really know about the internal heat shroud.
As far as the belly heat, all you need with it is the thermostat. I ordered the Herpstat proportional from AP for all my cages and so far so good.
You can email AP and they are super about responding and are incredibly helpful. I've had multiple emails answered by Dani in one day, so I'm sure you won't be waiting around for weeks to get a response.
I posted pics of my T-10 in the making here:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...nimal+plastics . This might help answer some of your questions.

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Originally Posted by kurgan

I need to rehome Monty and looking at the AP site like what I see but I am a bit baffled by some fo the terminology. What is a CHE? Some of the other otpions are alos nto too obvious - internal heat shroud? what form is the fluorescent fixture?

If I ordered with belly heat then all i should need is a decent thermostat and I'm sorted, right?

I hope AP ship to europe for a reasonable rate.

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Thanks for the advice and pictures.
It looks lovely.

I'd be worried about the belly heat maintaining temperature son its own especially during the winter so the CHE looks like a good bet. I note that you can order from AP with a circular mesh cut out on the top as you have. What equipment are you using with the CHE and I assume it is also connected to a tstat - the same one? if not where have you put the probe.

Great set up by the way - sorry for the20 qs.
Have emailed AP.

The belly heat gets VERY hot without the thermostat, but it is not enough to keep the ambient temps up in the big T-10. I got the mesh cutout on the cool side and have the CHE there. I have a piece of aluminum foil over the circle and then I cut a hole for the CHE to sit in the middle of for two reasons 1. Protects the plastic a little from melting in case the CHE gets too close to the side, (and trust me it will melt) and 2. Keeps the heat and humidity in better. The biggest drawback to the CHE is it eats up humidity and I will eventually replace it with one of those heating panels that I will mount in the same area. You can't hook it up to the same thermostat because it is set for the high temp range and actually I don't have mine connected to a thermostat at all and have not had any problems with temps. If it is too hot in the house, a lot of times I shut if off completely.
Keep the questions coming, I'm no expert but I'll be glad to share what I've learned so far.

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Originally Posted by kurgan

Thanks for the advice and pictures.
It looks lovely.

I'd be worried about the belly heat maintaining temperature son its own especially during the winter so the CHE looks like a good bet. I note that you can order from AP with a circular mesh cut out on the top as you have. What equipment are you using with the CHE and I assume it is also connected to a tstat - the same one? if not where have you put the probe.

Great set up by the way - sorry for the20 qs.
Have emailed AP.

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So is that just a standard anglepoised type lamp you are using with the CHE?
What kind of coolside/ambient temps do you get with the CHE on?
Does the metal mesh get hot enough to injure the snake?
I assume the fluorescent tube inside the enclosure doesn't get warm enough to be an issue?

Feeling stoked about this (although will need to delay till Feb for financial reasons).

Shipping would be nearly $200.
My brother lives in Indiana so I'll have to see if he could possibly lug one over for me next time he is over but that may be a while - a real bummer.

There just is no comparable product in the UK. With our current exchange rate I may jsut have to take the hit and spend the 200 - £100 is very pricey but psychologically feels a hell of a lot better than $200