Decisions....

[Crispy757]

Hi everyone! 👋

So as of late my glass enclosures for my bp's are getting a little old to me. It's a pain in the...well you know... To clean, keep clean, maintain humidity, and really just to find a place to keep them for storage.

Recently I picked up a used v221 vision cage for one of my snakes and holy craps I love it. It's really easy to clean, lightweight, and humidity in it is always perfect!

The store I bought them from has three more used one's and I may or may not go pick them up and get rid of my glass enclosures.

I also came across the enclosures found on apcages.com and they're very affordable.

My question to every one is, which is better? What are the pros and cons of both? How could I heat them with out destroying them?

Thanks in advanced for everyone $.02!

[LLLReptile]

There's a reason we use vision cages in all of our stores!

They are extremely easy to heat, clean, and use for years - the one and only problem we've ever seen with them is that they can become stained from bedding after a long time, or if they are not cleaned as often as they should be.

If I may offer suggestions for getting the most out of yours for the long term:

When stacking them, provide some sort of support or brace so that they do not lean or slide. The bottom cage of the stack often gets every so slightly warped so that the glass cannot be easily removed; this is why I suggest a shelving or brace system.

Using vinegar and water will get water spots off the glass. Simple green works like a dream to get poop and bedding stains up; I suggest completely cleaning out all substrate and wiping it down at least twice a year (if not more often).

Watch any lights you use; if the heat light falls and slips off the metal grating, it can and will melt the plastic. Do not use UTHs on any cages sitting on the floor, ESPECIALLY on carpet.

Hatchling ball pythons can fit between the glass pieces; a bit of weather sealing foam in the middle (and the sides) will keep them from squeezing out.

For 221s, you should be fine using 10 - 20 gallon size UTHs. I prefer to light mine with ExoTerra compact tops, and I use the Ion bulbs as they're nice and color balanced, and BRIGHT. Makes the cages look nice, and the compact tops are cheaper (as well as the bulbs) that the tube fixtures, plus they fit a bit better and will not fall out.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

-Jen

[Crispy757]

There's a reason we use vision cages in all of our stores!

They are extremely easy to heat, clean, and use for years - the one and only problem we've ever seen with them is that they can become stained from bedding after a long time, or if they are not cleaned as often as they should be.

If I may offer suggestions for getting the most out of yours for the long term:

When stacking them, provide some sort of support or brace so that they do not lean or slide. The bottom cage of the stack often gets every so slightly warped so that the glass cannot be easily removed; this is why I suggest a shelving or brace system.

Using vinegar and water will get water spots off the glass. Simple green works like a dream to get poop and bedding stains up; I suggest completely cleaning out all substrate and wiping it down at least twice a year (if not more often).

Watch any lights you use; if the heat light falls and slips off the metal grating, it can and will melt the plastic. Do not use UTHs on any cages sitting on the floor, ESPECIALLY on carpet.

Hatchling ball pythons can fit between the glass pieces; a bit of weather sealing foam in the middle (and the sides) will keep them from squeezing out.

For 221s, you should be fine using 10 - 20 gallon size UTHs. I prefer to light mine with ExoTerra compact tops, and I use the Ion bulbs as they're nice and color balanced, and BRIGHT. Makes the cages look nice, and the compact tops are cheaper (as well as the bulbs) that the tube fixtures, plus they fit a bit better and will not fall out.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

-Jen

I have a UTH and I believe it's for a 30-40 gallon but that's my only heat source. For lighting I just have an LED light strip lighting it and that's perfect. My temps and on point and so is humidity so my heat mat works like a champ haha.

[Crispy757]

This is how I have it set up at the moment. Nothing fancy just a basic set up. I added another hide right after this picture. So he has two now lol.