PVC enclosures

[MikeyP]

I was wondering if anyone has used or currently houses their bloods/adult bloods in a PVC like enclosure such as that from boaphile or animalplastics? What are your opinions on the two? Are there any likes dislikes between them? Also what heat source(s) do you use; UTH, radiant heat panels etc?

I'm just curious because I plan on moving in this direction for enclosures in the not to distant future and was looking for some feedback. Thanks!!

[redpython]

boaphiles.

[FIREball]

I really don't think you can go wrong with AP, Boaphile, or Constrictors NW.

I myself am choosing to go with Sentec Cages

[2kdime]

Cages for these animals....

Animal Plastics T-8's

Racks for these snakes....

Animal Plastics VE175 racks

Id never even think about buying Boaphile stuff solely on them being so thin and from the horror stories I've heard of them bowing over time. Animal Plastics uses 1/2" stuff and its SOLID without being heavy at all.

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

[Tim Mead]

Our cages are the old pvc neodesha's and they work well..When buying new we will most likely go with Ed Lilley's/ Pro line cages made from high density polyethelene,HDPE, an uncolored and less brittle plastic than pvc..Flexwatt for the heat which comes with the stack packs..Personal preference..

[bloodpython_MA]

I now have AP T-10's and a boaphile... I prefer the T-10's because of the more vertical space. I feel like in a T-10 I can get the snake out for maintanence really easily and the extra vertical room allows this. In my boaphile I feel like, if I were to be attempting to get an aggessive
snake out(which none of mine are) it would be a nightmare. But I do adore the boaphile drop down single door for getting in and out.
So it all depends on what your goals are and you comfort level.
Rob

[Hapa_Haole]

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

Flexxwatt/radiant side heat will only bump up the basking spot though right? Like if the rooms ambients were 72ish, flexxwatt or the side heat alone wouldn't be enough to heat the entire enclosure?

Dennis

[2kdime]

Flexwatt belly heat wouldnt do a thing....

Flexwatt Dual Side Radiant Heat from AP, will definitely raise the temperatures inside the tubs.

Now 72 might be a bit cold....

But it WILL help raise the temps in the tubs overall.

Flexxwatt/radiant side heat will only bump up the basking spot though right? Like if the rooms ambients were 72ish, flexxwatt or the side heat alone wouldn't be enough to heat the entire enclosure?

Dennis

[Skiploder]

Boaphiles sag and bow over time.

Visions sag and bow over time.

....and APs do too. I have several of them and have had to modify them with aluminum braces to reverse the sagging. The sagging was getting really bad on my 6' cages - up to 1/2".

I don't keep bloods, but I do keep some heavy colubrids in them (9 lbs). The weight of the snake doesn't change whether the bow or not - I've had AP cages with much lighter animals bow just as bad.

[MikeyP]

Cages for these animals....

Animal Plastics T-8's

Id never even think about buying Boaphile stuff solely on them being so thin and from the horror stories I've heard of them bowing over time. Animal Plastics uses 1/2" stuff and its SOLID without being heavy at all.

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

Have you had any problems with the T-8s bowing at all? Also what is it about the radiant heat panels that you didn't like? You don't like them as a sole heat source, or just in general?

One more thing, I'm not familiar with the radiant side heat, is that like a panel or more like a UTH style on the side??

Thanks for the help, its great to hear from people with experience on the issues