Cages/Tanks and Heating....

[OsirisRa32]

Got a couple of questions...

My BP collection is expanding...more rapidly then I thought it would....

Looking into a better system of cages then a bunch of glass tanks sitting around....was looking into either PVC or Melamine vision cage type systems and wondering what the pros/cons are to the PVC or the Melamine...

Also....its my understanding either PVC or Melamine cages would be heated with the flexwatt heat tape and RHPs?

does one set up the flexwatt the same way as a UTH with a thermostat and all? Are RHPs easily temperature controlled or are they just a turn on/turn off with no dimming ability kinda thing?

Thanks!

[mlitz]

From everything I have read PCV is the way to go, a lot of people on here love animal plastic T8 cages. I don't know how big your collection is but you could also look into getting a rack set up.
The more experienced people will have to chime in about the flexwatt and UTH.

[OsirisRa32]

Yeah I was looking at Animal Plastics, Boaphile Plastics or Boa Master for their products.

I don't like racks I like being able to view them and their environments...I get really into setting up a "natural" looking terrarium...I realize its more for me than for them...but the two I have so far really seem to enjoy the fake plants and climbing tree...I catch them drapped over them early early in the AM climbing all over em and basking...the branches are about 4 inches off the ground so by no means arboreal height

[mlitz]

I have heard a few bad things about Boaphile Plastics in the reading I have been doing. I don't know what kind of money you want to spend but I also like http://www.showcasecages.com/ are really cool just on the pricey side.

[The Serpent Merchant]

PVC cages hold in heat and humidity much better than other cage types. The only con I can think of is cost.

PVC cages can be heated with just about any heat source if set up properly. (AP will cut holes and put screens on if you want to use heat lamps though I wouldn't recommend this) Most people will use flexwatt, RHP's or a combination of both. I would suggest starting with just flexwatt then moving on to other (more expensive) heat sources if necessary.

Flexwatt works exactly like a commercial UTH. The only real difference is that it gets much hotter.

RHP's need to be hooked up to a thermostat to control them.

If you haven't already check out this thread on PVC cages: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

I love my AP cages, I personally won't use anything else.

[OsirisRa32]

Those are awesome!!! Added to the future save a butt ton of money for list!! lol

I am leaning towards the AP T8s....I want something stackable so I can put them like 4 units high by 2-3 units wide against a wall in my place...

[The Serpent Merchant]

I have heard a few bad things about Boaphile Plastics in the reading I have been doing. I don't know what kind of money you want to spend but I also like http://www.showcasecages.com/ are really cool just on the pricey side.

They have those showcase cages at a local reptile shop. You really don't get a lot of cage for the money...

[OsirisRa32]

Aaron...so its my understanding then that you would need a 2 thermostats or at least 2 probes for each 1 unit? 1 T-stat for UTH/flexwatt and 1 T-stat for RHP?

Thanks for the linkie and help\

And just read that linkie post....quick question on the T8s...are they big enough for a fully grown ball python? They being 1 T8 unit with a divider in the middle...

Also do you have on RHP in each unit or 1 bigger one right in the middle?...If I need an RHP in each unit what wattage should I go with?

Thanks again lol

[The Serpent Merchant]

Aaron...so its my understanding then that you would need a 2 thermostats or at least 2 probes for each 1 unit? 1 T-stat for UTH/flexwatt and 1 T-stat for RHP?

Thanks for the linkie and help

If you are using both a RHP and flexwatt (which in most cases isn't necessary) yes you would need 2 thermostats or a multichannel thermostat like the herpstat 2

[mlitz]

They have those showcase cages at a local reptile shop. You really don't get a lot of cage for the money...

Thanks Aaron that's good to know.