Cage decision

After being beat about the head and shoulders by Dutch:D I've decided on an AP 4'x2'x15" cage with an RBI 40 watt RHP for basking. After a lot of browsing on this forum I think I want an Ultratherm Undertank Heater for the cool hide as Rich thought it might be close with the 40 Watt RHP to maitain the cool spot temperature by itself. My question is what size pad?

As an aside, I sent emails to, AP, Boaphile, RBI, Vision, Showcase, and Pro Heat with various questions. Rich at RBI got back to me in 1/2 hour and answered 3 more emails all within an hour. AP got back to me in 3 hours, Showcase in about the same. I still haven't heard fom Boaphile, Vision, or Pro Heat, for Boaphile it's been 4 days, the other 2 it's been 2 days. Just an FYI

Pro Heat just got back with me, I might go with thier RHP, decisions,:) decisions

Haha I'm sure you'll gonna be extremely satisfied with you cage!

And don't expect Boaphile to answer you soon (or at all).

I'd say the 40 watt panel is a little small. I have an 18x12 Pro Heat panel in my 3x2x2 cage, and that heats my cool side to above 80*. If you go a little larger, you shouldn't need the heat pads (I can only say this with Pro-Products, not RBI).

I can't say enough good stuff about their panels, but I don't have any experience with RBI (even though I've seen them at a show, the 40W looked a little small for a 4x2 cage.

I recently switched from flex watt to RHPs. I went with Pro Heat and would recomend them.

i have 4x2x1 and i use lamps but i might switch to flexwatt if i can save up the money

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Originally Posted by Mr. Constrictor

I recently switched from flex watt to RHPs. I went with Pro Heat and would recomend them.

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Originally Posted by zombie&lemons

i have 4x2x1 and i use lamps but i might switch to flexwatt if i can save up the money

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Thanks guys!!

built it. and it will come

I always purchase the RBI RHP's.

As for customer service, Rich is awesome. Animal Plastics has taken many months and several emails from me and still has not followed through.
However, their lousy customer service has saved me a bunch of money since I'll make my own boa cages now :gj:

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Originally Posted by starmom

I always purchase the RBI RHP's.

As for customer service, Rich is awesome. Animal Plastics has taken many months and several emails from me and still has not followed through.
However, their lousy customer service has saved me a bunch of money since I'll make my own boa cages now :gj:

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Seriously? When did you contact them. I've started talking to them about a year ago and always had quick replies...

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Originally Posted by starmom

I always purchase the RBI RHP's.

As for customer service, Rich is awesome. Animal Plastics has taken many months and several emails from me and still has not followed through.
However, their lousy customer service has saved me a bunch of money since I'll make my own boa cages now :gj:

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Yep, Rich has answerd SEVERAL emails from me, very patient guy. AP..not so much, I finally had to call them after a few days with no response. I'm leaning towards (I've changed my mind 20 times) RBI 48x24x12 cage with an RBI 80 watt RHP and a Herpstat Propotional Thermostat..thats today, tomorrow :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by texron

Yep, Rich has answerd SEVERAL emails from me, very patient guy. AP..not so much, I finally had to call them after a few days with no response. I'm leaning towards (I've changed my mind 20 times) RBI 48x24x12 cage with an RBI 80 watt RHP and a Herpstat Propotional Thermostat..thats today, tomorrow :rolleye2:

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Aren't you housing a BP in that cage? 4x2 is a little bit big...

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Aren't you housing a BP in that cage? 4x2 is a little bit big...

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Yessir, BP, everyone has an opinion on that one, but he;s about 4-1/2' long and I know several with 4'. with no complaints, I just need to pull the trigger, I'm waiting on one more guy out of Chicago that makes some really nice, wood cages.

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Originally Posted by texron

Yessir, BP, everyone has an opinion on that one, but he;s about 4-1/2' long and I know several with 4'. with no complaints, I just need to pull the trigger, I'm waiting on one more guy out of Chicago that makes some really nice, wood cages.

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Ah right, I thought you were just housing an average sized snake in there ;)

And about that wood... this guy is probably a pro, but I'd still recommend plastic cages... just because they just can't mold and there's no fire danger.

So what are your choices now... AP, this wood guy, and RBI?

If so, just make a table with the pros and cons of each. Then think about it some more, wait for some e-mails, ask more questions, and get the cage. ;)

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Ah right, I thought you were just housing an average sized snake in there ;)

And about that wood... this guy is probably a pro, but I'd still recommend plastic cages... just because they just can't mold and there's no fire danger.

So what are your choices now... AP, this wood guy, and RBI?

If so, just make a table with the pros and cons of each. Then think about it some more, wait for some e-mails, ask more questions, and get the cage. ;)

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That is exactly what I did

Alright keep us updated on your choices, and if you get an RBI cage, PLEASE POST PICTURES!! :banana:

I'm planning on getting one for my corn :)

I'm not getting an AP because

1) It's not going into my own collection, it's for my sister and
2) RBI also makes everything else I'll need for the cage, instead of having to get the RHP from Pro-Products sent to AP and
3) I want to try one out.

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Alright keep us updated on your choices, and if you get an RBI cage, PLEASE POST PICTURES!! :banana:

I'm planning on getting one for my corn :)

I'm not getting an AP because


2) RBI also makes everything else I'll need for the cage, instead of having to get the RHP from Pro-Products sent to AP and
.

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Thats why I was leaning toward RBI, I'm looking at Custom wood cage because I don't want what everyone else has. Lets face it, take out customer service and they are all basically the same.

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Originally Posted by texron

Yessir, BP, everyone has an opinion on that one, but he;s about 4-1/2' long and I know several with 4'. with no complaints, I just need to pull the trigger, I'm waiting on one more guy out of Chicago that makes some really nice, wood cages.

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Why are you putting a male BP in a 4 foot cage? Stop thinking like a human, and try thinking like a ball python for his sake please. You aren't doing him any favors.

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Why are you putting a male BP in a 4 foot cage? Stop thinking like a human, and try thinking like a ball python for his sake please. You aren't doing him any favors.

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so 3' is okay but 4' is stressing him out? Sorry, I know too many people with 4' cages and happy BPs.

Well you know he might/will probably feel more secure in a smaller cage.

Plus, it makes cleaning a lot easier and it doesn't take up that much space.

Happy snake + easier for you = Better cage, correct?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Well you know he might/will probably feel more secure in a smaller cage.

Plus, it makes cleaning a lot easier and it doesn't take up that much space.

Happy snake + easier for you = Better cage, correct?

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Agree, he's in a wierd cage I got at petco years ago, it's 41"x21"x19" wierd dimensions huh? This snake has NEVER in 5 years had a bad feeding or any problems other than a couple bad sheds. I have trouble getting the humidity above 50%. I'm hoping the new cage will cure that. My point is I don't think increasing the dimensions a couple inches are going to be earth shattering to my guy. Room for the cage is not an issue. and ANYTHING has to be easier to cleab than what I have now.

I'm sure it's not gonna hurt, just trying to make it easier on ya :)

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I'm sure it's not gonna hurt, just trying to make it easier on ya :)

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I know, I appreciate it and I'm thinking about it, eesh, you'd think I was buying an airplane or something:confuzd:

Yeah I hear ya. I had to save for over half a year for my JCP and all I did was look at Boaphile vs Animal Plastics, Animal Plastics vs Vision, etc. threads... hey btw if you want to see pictures of my AP cage here's a link:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81975

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Yeah I hear ya. I had to save for over half a year for my JCP and all I did was look at Boaphile vs Animal Plastics, Animal Plastics vs Vision, etc. threads... hey btw if you want to see pictures of my AP cage here's a link:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81975

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NICE cage, My problem with AP was from the pictures on the website it LOOKS like you can see the screw holes, but from your pictures it looks great.
STOP MAKING IT WORSE:D

You can see the screw holes, but only from side and back. It really isn't evident though, because they're small and black (out of context thread). They're extremely sturdy and they're made of 1/2" thick plastic... that's really thick and temps are always perfect. And you had a humidity problem right? I can't get my humidity below 60%.

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

You can see the screw holes, but only from side and back. It really isn't evident though, because they're small and black (out of context thread). They're extremely sturdy and they're made of 1/2" thick plastic... that's really thick and temps are always perfect. And you had a humidity problem right? I can't get my humidity below 60%.

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What size RHP do you have?

In my 3x2x2 cage it's a 12x18, but that's because I told Bob my room temperatures could get down to 60* in Holland. Uncontrolled, it heats the shelf in the cage to slightly above 110* with 75* room temperature.

In my divided 3x2x15 cage, I have 9x12 panels on each side. I really like RHPs because they provide a really gradual gradient. I mean, I got from 92-82 in steps of one degree if you know what I mean.

If you're room doesn't get that cold, you could probably go with the 12x15.

Hey man, if you want I can take pictures of my new 3x2x15 cage, and then I'll show you the setups, the RHPs, and the probe placements in each of the cages...?

oops nevermind

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Hey man, if you want I can take pictures of my new 3x2x15 cage, and then I'll show you the setups, the RHPs, and the probe placements in each of the cages...?

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That would be awesome, I could use a lesson or two:oops: My room temp gets down to maybe 65 once in a while, usually around 68-70