PVC Cages

[gusanr14]

Check out the Sub Forum "caging". Theres a lot of threads about what others have etc.. I use AP Enclosures, Herpstats & Pro Panel RHP's. Couldn't be happier. Id recomend a T10 for you. They are 4'x18"x24" for $250 shipped. The snake will grow into it & you can use it now too. I use 2 Pvc hides (easy cleaning) & a 5qt camo water bowl from tractor supply to keep humidity.

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that cage seems great.
I was thinking of getting AP T8 cage when my ball python grows up. Anyways, I am guessing options should be the same with t8 and t10, what options did you add to your cage? do they not have radiant heat panel option?

[lisafoster2510]

Thanks for all the info. I was looking at the PVC enclosures or the AP. The pvc are a bit more expensive. Are they worth the extra money?

[artgecko]

My AP cages (for my boas, carpet python, and BRB) have the following options: sliding glass doors and lock, basking shelf, heat tape, and recessed LED lighting (that option is not on the site, you have to call about it).

If you want a heat panel / RHP, I believe they will install them, but don't sell them. I've never gotten one in an AP cage, but read that you let AP know you are going to get one to be installed, order it from pro products (letting them know to ship it to AP) and then AP will install it in the cage before shipping it to you. At least, that is what I remember reading.

I would get a cage that is at least 15" tall, to make it easier to clean. it can be hard to reach into the back of the cage even with the 15", I can't imagine trying to do so with only 12" of height.

Lead time is about 4 months on all the cages I've gotten, but IMO, worth the wait.


I have never ordered from PVC cages, so can't give feed back on them.

[KMG]

Thanks for all the info. I was looking at the PVC enclosures or the AP. The pvc are a bit more expensive. Are they worth the extra money?

I would say it depends on what you want to house in it. For an arboreal snake PVC Cages is the way to go as they are a one stop shop. Cage arrives with rhp, perches, LED light, and greenery depending on what you add to it.

For just a Ball I think anybody would be happy with a AP cage.

[CALM Pythons]

that cage seems great.
I was thinking of getting AP T8 cage when my ball python grows up. Anyways, I am guessing options should be the same with t8 and t10, what options did you add to your cage? do they not have radiant heat panel option?

They have every option you can think of basically. I went with Glass sliders instead of Hinge and Plexi Glass as they scratch and are in the way on hinges..id also recommend a T10 ($50 more) for anybody as the T8 only has 8 inch high doors and 11 inch interior height which is hard to clean and get into.
For Ball Pythons no Shelf needed inside, waste of money. You can get inset LED strip of several color options for $40. You can Buy any RHP and they ship it to AP so they install it. They will install Heat Tape as well for you if you want it. As all my recommendations I go with Bob at pro products. For a T10 you will want a 65 watt. Thats about $90 aprox.
I would never buy a AP Base Stand. They are only 8" off the ground and a waste. No storage or anything. Id go with a dresser or TV stand off Craigslist before any Base from a Enclosure manufacturer.


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[CALM Pythons]

Thanks for all the info. I was looking at the PVC enclosures or the AP. The pvc are a bit more expensive. Are they worth the extra money?

Not in my opinion. Ontop of the cost they stink after a while. The PVC they use i hear holds smell. Also of you break something you need a whole new enclosure as with AP you replace the broken part cheap. I think AP are top of the line.


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[KevinK]

Animal Plastics:
Pros:
Uses thick, cdpv for all of their cages. Best material in the business, not cheap stuff.
#1 pvc cage overall in terms of sales I would believe.
The most affordable pvc cages on the market with everything considered

Cons:
The wait times are getting pretty long from what I've heard lately
Shipping costs are additional to the price of the cages
Assembly is required ....your cages ship as a flat box.


Boaphile:
Pros:
Units ship as once piece, fully assembled.
Shorter wait times than Animal Plastics, from what I've heard lately.
Shipping is included in the cage prices.
Lightweight

Cons:
Poor communication. As others have said, the only method you can really contact Jeff is via phone. I have tried and never received a response via email in the past.
Once piece cages (yes this is also a bad thing in my opinion)....cages can be easily damaged during the shipping process and if you look for the posts, this has happened several times to people.
Thinner material than animal plastics, by far.

[dakski]

Animal Plastics:
Pros:
Uses thick, cdpv for all of their cages. Best material in the business, not cheap stuff.
#1 pvc cage overall in terms of sales I would believe.
The most affordable pvc cages on the market with everything considered

Cons:
The wait times are getting pretty long from what I've heard lately
Shipping costs are additional to the price of the cages
Assembly is required ....your cages ship as a flat box.


Boaphile:
Pros:
Units ship as once piece, fully assembled.
Shorter wait times than Animal Plastics, from what I've heard lately.
Shipping is included in the cage prices.
Lightweight

Cons:
Poor communication. As others have said, the only method you can really contact Jeff is via phone. I have tried and never received a response via email in the past.
Once piece cages (yes this is also a bad thing in my opinion)....cages can be easily damaged during the shipping process and if you look for the posts, this has happened several times to people.
Thinner material than animal plastics, by far.

Good assessment KevinK!

Good to know the AP tanks are good quality and cheaper (I was not sure how much they were all inclusive).

Can't argue anything about Boaphile you said, although my cages were not damaged (I did get 6X2' which ship as 3X2' - so maybe a bigger issue with the bigger tanks?), and I prefer to talk to people, so I talked Jeff's ear off. He helped me get what I needed and not get what I didn't.

Email is useless however.

I think Jeff/Boaphile is running about 6 week lead time now, and I heard AP is at 12-13 weeks from another forum recently, however, not sure exactly where and I would check and not rely on me.

I also don't know how adding options effects lead time from AP, if at all.

[KMG]

Not in my opinion. Ontop of the cost they stink after a while. The PVC they use i hear holds smell. Also of you break something you need a whole new enclosure as with AP you replace the broken part cheap. I think AP are top of the line.


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I've had my first PVC Cage since 2011 or 12. I've never had it hold smells.

My other I've had just over a year.

My first I had shipped preassembled the second I put together. The second went together much like the AP cage so I think repairs would be about the same.


I second glass sliding doors.

[CALM Pythons]

I've had my first PVC Cage since 2011 or 12. I've never had it hold smells.

My other I've had just over a year.

My first I had shipped preassembled the second I put together. The second went together much like the AP cage so I think repairs would be about the same.


I second glass sliding doors.

Well good to know. My knowledge only comes 2nd hand.


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