Caging question (exo terra v.s other)

[shadow colossus]

Hello, I have a caging question.

I have been wanting to order some boaphile cages in a few months, but after 3 emails, i still get no answer from them, so they lost my business, I was going to order about 1500-2000$ in cages, but for now, I will not, I will instead use something else until better caging options come along.

and keep in mind, these cages will hold ball pythons, a few carpet pythons, a woma python, and possibly a bci or hogg island.

I am thinking about using exo terra cages, or these:

http://www.capitainedragon.com/catal...86&language=en

these are from a local store, they have every size, sliding doors with screen top, and seem decent.

and yeah I am aware of covering some of the top with something to hold heat and humidity, and covering the back and sides with black paper for security.

so basically my question is should I use cages with front swing opening doors, or sliding doors?

I once heard someone had a 6 foot carpet python squeeze through the gap in the sliding doors, and I don't want that to happen.

Also, if I use a thermostat for all of them, is it safe to use store bought heat pads? and also do you just plug them in to the thermostat? or do you have to do some wiring?

sorry for all the questions, please let me know.

thanks

[Lucas339]

i used the exo terra swinging doors for my GTP for over a year. i replaced the screen with acrylic. the screen was rusting under the plastic so i decided to replace it all together. i never covered any of the cage, however, mine came with the rock-look backing. i used a pro products heat pannel and it worked great!

what size are you looking to get and do you heat your room?

i ask this because i tried using a heat pad and couldn't get the heat up which is why i went with the pannel.

as for the thermostat, yes you just plug the heating element into the thrmostat and put the probe where you want it. most prefer to put it right on the heating element itself.

[shadow colossus]

Hey thanks for the answer,

My room is pretty hot, that's the problem, it's too hot for us, there always has to be a fan on in the room, I never had problems in the past with heating my reptiles and having my fan on, so it shouldn't be a problem.

the cages sizes will vary, like i said, some adult ball pythons, some carpets (baby or juvi) maybe a woma, etc.

what i want to try and find out is if there are thermostats that can control more than one cage, any ideas?

I really want to find the best non biased reviews possible for the exo terra cages though, cause my other option are the cages that i posted in the link above, they are nice, and have sliding glass doors, problem is I am scared that a snake can squeeze through.

other than that, thanks, and keep the replies coming

[Lucas339]

herpstat makes a unit called the herpstat pro that can control up to 4 cages at one time. they also have one that controls 2 at the same time.