Rhinoraxx?

[Regius_049]

I do not personally own boaphiles or rhinoraxx, but I can probably comment on the material.

The material they advertise (controlled density polyethylene) is something of a buzzword, but I do believe it is a superior product to conventional PVC racks. First the term "controlled density" is kind of meaningless, because manufacturers have been able to control polyethylene density for years. In fact, polyethylene generally comes in two forms: high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Low density polyethylene is the more malleable form and not typically used to structural applications. The high density polyethylene is, I am sure, what boaphile is using in their rhinoraxx. High density polyethylene is the same material used by constrictors NW and showcase cages. I personally like it for two major reasons: (1) It is typically USDA and FDA approved for food contact, meaning it is safe for people to eat off of. I should note however that this varies by formulation and many not apply to all high density polyethylene materials. (2) High density polyethylene is essentially non-porous, which means urates and fecal matter stick very poorly and make cleanup easier and staining less likely. The downside to this is that it is very difficult to seal and attach things to using adhesives.

Regarding the weight, polyethylene is similar in weight to PVC generally. However, some formulations involve the addition of nitrogen gas during the fabrication process. When the plastic is formed, nitrogen gas is blown into the mixture creating pockets within the plastic. This allows the material to be made significantly lighter, but not as strong as its heavier counterpart. One example of this is "starlight" made by king plastics. Constrictors NW utilizes this form of high density polyethylene also advertising the weight savings as a benefit. However, it should be noted that these lighter versions are also cheaper as nitrogen is less expensive than the high density polyethylene material. It still holds up fine for most cages, but in my opinion, the heavier versions are more sturdy and of higher quality.

As an aside, I have read a variety of reviews on boaphile plastics and the general synopsis appears to be this: This cages are of decent quality, but the customer service and wait times are fairly abysmal. Most customers report no reply from the maker, but after 5-6 months, their order just shows up with no notification.