Thoughts on Animal Plastics enclosures.

[queenelvis82]

Hello All!
I am interested in getting an Animal Plastics enclosure for my 7 month old Ball Python. I looked at the website and those enclosures look awesome! I am thinking of getting the T-8. It is a bit large for my girl since she is only about a foot in a half in length. Because of this, I want to get the "pop in, pop out divider." Just wondering if there are different inserts within the enclosure so I can change length of her habitat accordingly. For example, are there slots in the middle to make a 24" enclosure and slots beyond that to lengthen the habitat? If Animal Plastics do make those types of options, then this enclosure will suit her throughout her life.
I have also been looking at the T-10, but am wondering if 15" is too much height for her.
Here are some other questions I have for everybody:
-Which doors are easier to work with, sliding doors or swinging doors?
-Is the Flexwatt a good source of belly heat, or should I stick with my Zoo Med heating mats? 11" Flexwatt seems too big for her so maybe I will get the Flexwatt when she gets older.
-Do these enclosure hold humidity better than my glass tank?
-Is a basking shelf a nice luxury for Ball Pythons?


I want some opinions from this forum before I talk to a representative from Animal Plastics. Animal Plastics is something I just came across so I don't know if the salesman will skew their opinions in order to make a big sell.

If anybody can help me out and answer my questions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you everybody in advance!
Cheers!

[Eric Alan]

First and foremost, Ali (the "salesperson" at Animal Plastics) is INCREDIBLE to work with. She will absolutely not try to steer you towards a sale in favor of giving you the information you need to make the best decision for you. AP has some of the best customer service in the business.

1) There is no slot for the divider - it can be placed basically anywhere you choose within the entire 4ft length of the enclosure.
2) The T8 is plenty tall - no reason to gain the extra few inches in height, IMO.
3) I prefer the sliding glass doors myself.
4) Heat tape is a good choice. The 11" wide strip that AP offers is well suited to a divided T8.
5) Humidity retention is variable based on the substrate you choose to use and the room you keep the enclosure in. I live in AZ where it's pretty dry and use corrugated wrap as a substrate, so I run a humidifier on a humidistat in the room to keep humidity up. Others have different results with different setups in different places.
6) Skip the basking shelf for BPs, IMO. It's entirely up to you, but it likely won't get used much.
7) Cage casters are wheels to put on the bottom of the enclosure so you can move it around if you want to.

Here's a relatively recent picture of the two T8s I have. Please excuse the fingerprints on the glass.

[queenelvis82]

Thank you, Eric!
Your advice is much appreciated! Also, I will not hesitate to give Ali a call soon to help me chose a great enclosure for Gozer!

[Eric Alan]

Just keep in mind that it may take a bit of time to get your T8. Quick Ship is relative, but good things come to those who wait. Glad I could help!

[Mr. Misha]

I personally love both of my AP terrariums and I have a T10 on the way!

T8 is fine but it is a little too short. If you have the funds, i'd personally recommend getting the T10. It's going to make your life easier when you clean the enclosure and try to take the snake out. However, since T10 is NOT a quick ship item, you'll be waiting for about two months to get it.

In regards to heat, I recommend investing in a RHP (radient heat panel). Technically, as long as you provide the "correct" ambient temp for your BP, you really don't need a hot spot.

Here's a great sticky on the T8: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

And here's my setup (ive been posting it a lot lately):

[DooLittle]

I can't respond about the T8 or T10, specifically. But I have T20's for my boa's and love them. And will second the great customer service. Ali was nothing but helpful, and you can always get a hold of them via phone. But it does take some time to get the cages, so be prepared for that.

[Seth702]

The T8's are great but, as mentioned above, are a little short and can make cleaning a little inconvenient. I have 3 T8's and a rack from AP and I have had no issues. The quality is far above anything else I have. They are more then helpful for custom requests but expect long delays on delivery no matter what item you order. My T8's were quick ship and it took nearly 6 weeks to receive them. My rack was about 4 months before I received it. Aside from the very long delivery times, I would recommend AP to anyone who wants quality and doesn't mind a bit of assembly required.

-To answer your questions:
- I use Orchid Bark or Cypress Mulch and have 0 humidity issues without a humidifier in the room. I live in Las Vegas and its VERY dry here.
- I use the 11 inch Flex Watt on a Herpstat thermostat in a room that stays 75-77 degrees year around and have no issues with maintaining a good hot spot and proper ambient temperature.
- I prefer the sliding glass doors but for no particular reason except I like them.

[queenelvis82]

Thank you everybody for the helpful advice. Since it takes so long for the enclosures to ship, I need to order one asap before the cold weather hits Michigan and my furnace will be in full use.
I have a question for Mr Misha.
I like to keep the ambient temp around 75-80 degrees F. I keep my house fairly cool, around 67 degrees F. I agree that a RHP would be great for keeping the ambient temp up, but I would feel better if Gozer had belly heat to help digest her meal. Do you think that getting an under the tank heat mat and keep it around 90-93 F as well as the RHP would be a good idea, or would that be too much heat in my girl's enclosure?

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I am excited to see how well Animal Plastic's enclosure work for my pet!
Cheers!

[Mr. Misha]

Do you think that getting an under the tank heat mat and keep it around 90-93 F as well as the RHP would be a good idea, or would that be too much heat in my girl's enclosure?

Having a heat pad or heat tape underneath the enclosure to provide belly heat is perfectly fine. Just make sure that both (RHP and belly heat) are on a thermostat. I personally prefer the Herpstat 2. That's how both of mine enclosures are set up right now though.

However, from reading a lot of threads on heating, I don't think a hot spot is really necessary for digestion. A lot of bigger size breeders on here just heat the entire room for their collection without providing belly heat and the snakes seem to be thriving just fine.

[Eric Alan]

A lot of bigger size breeders on here just heat the entire room for their collection without providing belly heat and the snakes seem to be thriving just fine.

In other words: Some breeders are able to do without providing belly heat because they have significant experience in being able to recognize the needs of their collection based on the behavior of their animals.

It is not something I would personally recommend to someone just starting out in the hobby. It is much more fool-proof to provide them with a range of acceptable temperatures (via a warm and a cool side) and let them decide what is best for them at any given time, IMO.