NPI or AP cage?

[animalrie]

I've been looking at upgrading to a PVC cage for my male ball python. I know the AP T8 and T10 are really popular on this forum and I realize that you get more bang for your buck with those enclosures. However, aesthetically I really prefer the look of this NPI enclosure (http://www.npicages.com/s36t_npi_36_...tile_cage.html).

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with NPI? And will that cage work with a RHP?

I really prefer the look of the NPI, but if anyone wants to try to convince me to go with AP, please do!

[tttaylorrr]

paging miss @zina10...

she uses an NPI and it's a beautiful enclosure. i'm sure she'll chime in. i use a AP T8 and, while it's perfect for Yellow, i'm actually not the biggest fan of that model. personally i'd recommend a T10 over a T8, with lights and a shelf and sliding glass doors.

[jmcrook]

I used an NPI cage like that for about 16 years. Very lightweight, super easy to clean, easy to view in. Not sure how easy it would be to mount an RHP in. That plastic is a bit brittle and very thin. I've got all AP cages now and love them. Better insulated and sturdier construction. I had heard that NPI switched to a different plastic in recent years though. Any ventilation on the NPI cages will be screened vents, I personally prefer the smaller screen free vent in AP cages. Seem to hold better temps and humidity than NPI. That's just my two cents though.


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[zina10]

I'm not going to convince you one way or another, because I feel both options are nice ones. I have not had a AP cage, so I can't say to much about that. But they are very popular.

AP's are easily stack-able. However, they are harder to get into for cleaning, esp. the T8. I think I would prefer the T10, for ease of maintenance as well as more of a "display".

Some people worry about PVC being used for animals. The NPI is supposed to be a safer option in that regard. However...PVC caging has been used extensively and I it has not been established that any animals had issues because of them.

What I don't like about AP is the wait time, esp. for a cage like the T10. I understand patience is a virtue, but some of those wait times seemed excessive. On top of that I don't like the fact that they have to be assembled and sealed. Not that I'm lazy, I have assembled many pieces of furniture and don't mind. But I don't like that there are seams that have the potential to leak eventually. Just not something I like. I prefer the "one piece" construction of the NPI.

I also find the NPI having much more appeal as a true "display" cage. The slanted large front really gives a lot of visibility. Also very easy to maintain and clean. The price is right and the time until you receive it is very acceptable. The 3 foot cages have one large glass door, the 4 foot cages have 2 smaller glass doors that slide. Either option gives you full visibility, which I like. I preferred the 2 glass doors in the 4 foot cage, since you could open each side by sliding the door "inwards" rather then outwards to the side. But either option is easy to lock.

The NPI can NOT easily be stacked. You have to have a shelf rack in order to get a few cages on top of one another. I used to have 6 of the 4 foot cages, and I did have 2 of their racks. It worked nicely, but the racks add to the price.

Now I only have the one 3 foot cage. Set up on a cabinet. I'm thinking about getting a 4 ft. cage because the Ball Python I have in there is quite large. While he still stays in his hide most of the time (and makes himself surprisingly small then) I would like to have more room for him to stretch out when he does come out.

I use under tank heaters, but I don't see why it should be a problem to use a RHP with the NPI. You could ask them about it, but it should work fine. Since I like to put a home-made shelf of some sort into those tanks, to offer an additional level plus a hiding spot underneath, I don't use RHP. They heat what is underneath of them, and a shelf would probably get to close and to hot therefor. If you opt for the shelf in the AP T10 you may also consider this.

Long story short, both have their good points. Just depends on what you prefer aesthetically, how much patience you have and how many cages you may want to stack!

[zina10]

I used an NPI cage like that for about 16 years. Very lightweight, super easy to clean, easy to view in. Not sure how easy it would be to mount an RHP in. That plastic is a bit brittle and very thin. I've got all AP cages now and love them. Better insulated and sturdier construction. I had heard that NPI switched to a different plastic in recent years though. Any ventilation on the NPI cages will be screened vents, I personally prefer the smaller screen free vent in AP cages. Seem to hold better temps and humidity than NPI. That's just my two cents though.


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I used to have a couple used NPI and yes, they used to use very different plastic (the one that would yellow a lot). It was more brittle.

My own 7 cages have a lighter and far better plastic, never yellowed, and never felt like it would crack.

You can now choose if you want to have vents, and how many. Or cover them. I think the AP insulates better because of the smaller front and less glass. But that also takes away from the great and wide open "display".

I believe both options are great ones, though. If I wanted stack-able great cages I would get AP T10's, but I don't like the wait and I wish they were permanently sealed, one piece construction. I know that would add to the shipping cost, though..

[tttaylorrr]

while AP cages are awesome, the biggest turn-off for them is absolutely the wait and IKEA-style assembly. this is literally the only bad thing i can say about AP enclosures.

[animalrie]

Wow thanks for all of the thoughtful replies!

For those of you with NPI, do you find that humidity and temp can be easily managed? Is just the UTH sufficient to heat the air or do you add in a heat lamp/CHE?

Thanks again!

[dakski]

Not trying to make things more complicated, but I just bought 5 boaphile tanks from Jeff Ronne. Took 6 weeks for delivery, but he built all the heating elements I needed into the tanks and sent me redundant thermostats to run them.

I could not be happier. I literally got exactly what I wanted working with Jeff to ensure that my animals were getting what they needed.

I am not knocking either of the other two tanks, I just have no experience with them. I had molded tanks before and they were fine, but much heavier and harder to heat.

I should add that I wrote a review of the tanks on the forum. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...light=boaphile

Again, not pushing, but I am happy with what I got. The review has more info on the setup.

[zina10]

I have no problems with humidty or heat. I use a undertank heater.

But...

My house stays at a comfortable temp, I don't like it real cold. Usually is around 75 or so in Summer and the coldest it will get are a few hours at night, around 72.
I do have a lamp, but it provides a very low light for visibility, no heat. However, one could put a heat lamp or ceramic heater up there if temps in the house are colder.

Since I use coco substrate I have no issues with humidity, but I do mist real good once the week or so.

I have a Boaphile rack and love it !! I would not doubt that there cages are high quality, too. They also have a wait, but I think AP takes the longest, unless you get a T8..

[SDA]

How much time you got? The only downside of AP is their glacial wait times. The quick ship T8 might come in a matter of weeks but most cages can take months. If you are not in a hurry to switch over they are worth the weight. If 3 months sounds like an eternity then you might think twice. Their wait times are up to 3 months now FYI.