Questions about AP cages and RHPs.

[LittleTreeGuy]

Hello everyone! It's me again. Annoying, aren't I?

I have some questions about Animal Plastics Cages.

I am look at a T8 for the ball python, and either a T11 or T12 (help me choose) for the carpet python, with or without basking shelves (again, help me choose). Both will have RHPs. Any tips on what size to get? Or do I need to call them and ask? I want fluorescent fixtures inside. Will they still fit with RHPs installed? Which are more secure - sliding glass, or swing doors? Both would need locks. I am thinking the swing doors since from what I have seen, you HAVE to lock them to close them. Am I off-base here? When I got my T8, my bp was about 5 months old, I think. I chose to get the divider as it was easy, and allowed me to change the size of the area my snake could live in. It was $20, but I liked it and chose to do it. It just fits snugly in place, so as the snake grows, you can move it. Now, having done this, I did have to go with two 40w RHP's, as one 80w would not allow the divider to fit in the center of the cage as I wanted it to. I also chose to get the white LED's from AP. I really like them. They light up the enclosure very well and don't affect my heating at all. They're bright and I don't have to worry about changing out the bulbs. They are available, but not on the website yet, I don't believe. The sliding glass doors are pretty heavy. I don't any snake would open them. I got the lock just as an extra level of security for my own piece of mind. Not for the snake trying to escape, but having visitors or children at my house and getting curious. The divider will not work with the basking shelf. I think if you have limbs and stuff in the enclosure, the basking shelf isn't really needed. Just my opinion though.

My plan with the ball python is to set up the T8 and put the tub inside it, on the cool side, to deal with the ambient temp problems. It will probably look silly, but I think the little one would be totally freaked out in a big enclosure at this size and it seems to be the most efficient permanent resolution. I would get the divider and not worry about the tub.

I have one of those fold up party tables that is 2' X 4' exactly. Would that hold one of these cages? What about both, since I plan to stack them after quarantine? I have read about issues with stacking when using RHPs - they get the bottom of the tub above them too hot. This can apparently be resolved by using 2" spacers... will the stacking pins still work that way, or are they even necessary? What size RHPs should I even get? That table should be okay. The T8's aren't really that heavy. I think you'll be fine to stack them. I wouldn't worry about any sort of spacers unless you were using UTH's of some kind. Then some air circulation would be good. If you have an RHP in the bottom cage, stacking is fine, and it will provide a little warmth for the cage on top. I currently have a bearded dragon setup on top of my T8 and it does help a little.

I would like to get a good thermostat or two. I will likely need two, since the RHPs for each cage will likely be different due to the height difference. Is there as single thermostat that could run both? What brand/model do you all suggest for this setup? In the past, I have always used different sized tubs with heat mats. I have always put the thermostat probe on the outside of the tub and the thermometer probes stuck to the inside, since I would rather have a minor heart attack than a cooked snake. I take it that isn't advisable with RHPs. How should I go about mounting the thermostat/thermometer probes? As others have said, I vote Herpstat. I got a cheapo thermostat starting out and never felt "confident" that it was doing what it should... I then upgraded to a Herpstat 2, and have not worried a day. they're pretty awesome.

Sorry for all the questions. I want to get everything right.