Animal Plastics and T8 question

[cron14]

1) I’ve never heard of using fluorescent lights for heating.
1a) I don’t heat individual enclosures, so I’ll leave this to others
2) they’re very good with customer service. They get back quick. I do think they take weekends off though.
3) I also don’t light enclosures, so I’ll leave this to others
4) I’ve had AP cages in service for at least 10 years I think. I’ve stacked them 4-6 cages high. I’ve never had any warping at all.

I was honestly doing some deep digging last night when I a few people mention the fluorescent lights for heat. I knew it was a bit of a stretch.

I love my T8s. I'd highly advise investing in the RHPs. I have UTHs on my colubrid enclosures and their ambient temps are still in the mid 70s during the winter months here in the Southeast. I have UTHs and heat bulbs on my carpet enclosure because I have 2 of them in a split T8 and chose not to invest in dual RHPs at the time. As they grow I'll move them into A20s (4x2x3) and I plan to use RHPs exclusively. I had AP install the led lights. I got 2 cages with red leds and 2 with blue leds. I wish I had all red ones. I've always called them to communicate and always received great customer service. I've only had my cages for a year so I can't speak on their longevity but they're very well made and I don't foresee any problems. I know other keepers that have used AP cages for longer than I have and none have mentioned issues with warping. I'd give AP cages 5 out of 5 stars.

Yea I was thinking RHPs were the way to go. I think it leads to a lot less headaches in the future. Once I get my own place I'll definitely be looking into carpets. I love bps but want something a little bigger and they fit what I'm looking for. Thanks a lot for the insight. I think I'll go with the red lights as well.

1) 68-69 in the winter with only a UTH and a fluorescent tube, I doubt will work alone. You possibly might get away with it if you used hard sheet insulation like for attics or walls on the bottom, sides and top of the cage but I just don't think it will work.

1a) A RHP alone will work just fine but no problems doing a UTH and RHP for winter. Just turn whichever on in the spring and fall and turn both on for cold winters. The only downside is this will mean you a T-stat that can monitor 2 heat sources like a Herpstat 2 or Vivarium Electronics. You could also get away with a couple Jump Start on/off T-stats but I wouldn't recommend those. I personally use Herpstats for all my gals.

2) I always get a response back from Ali in a day or 2.

3) I believe AP offers led lights now. You can also check out Reptile Basics. They have different length 5/8" led tubes which plug into an external ballast which I've been pretty interested in. Mounting them behind the door lip of an AP cage. Also you can go to ay hardware store and find led strips which are pretty easy to mount with small screws or look online.

4) I haven't heard of AP cages warping mainly because I think the front center pillar holds it up. I heard Vision cages warp like no tomorrow and my Pro-Line(Constrictors NW) cage has some sag in the center after about 3 years. Nothing big but you do notice it at the top of the door gap. I would say cages from AP, boaphiles and Constrictor NW will last you years. Even though my Constrictors NW cage does have a little sag in the middle, I will be putting my BP in it after I get my 2 AP cages for my 2 boas. And its still fine other than the cosmetic sag.

Thanks a lot for the insight especially with the fluorescent lights, I knew it was a bit of a stretch. I'm not really the greatest handyman so I think I think I'll just have them install it. Someone close to me was actually selling a Vision cage that needed the glass to be replaced for fairly cheap on craigslist (I know, not the most trusted source) but I've heard some bad things about them so I decided against it. Thanks a lot everyone!