Enclosure questions

[Reptile_Reptile]

Since ive gotten my new job ive started looking into better caging for my snakes. can anybody give me links to websites where they order from, or ways to make cages, even just ideas. The housing they have now is fine but not great and i want to upgrade them to front opening non screen top caging.

[Lankyrob]

MY dream vivs are Boaphile - expensive but damn sexy!

[Reptile_Reptile]

what do you have now?

[Lankyrob]

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Animals/Reptiles/Photo0180.jpg

[serpentshideawa]

Actually rob i like the way those look better than boaphiles to op have you google searched snake cages?

[SnakeManKyle]

I bought my first stack of boaphile cages a few months ago, and I LOVE them. In fact, I'm ordering 3 more stacks this fall, and probably a couple more come tax return time!

I get them decked right out too... triple hinged, triple latched, florescent light installed, heat tape installed.

They're professionally built and ready to go right out of the box. Just stack them, plug them in and let them heat up.

Yeah, they're a bit expensive, but the cost of shipping is included in the prices, so there's nothing more to pay on the back end.

[stephanbakir]

Sounds like a great deal

[Marica]

Here's good tutorial on the basic melamine cage build: How to build 4x2 enclosure for $100 (http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/how-tos-tutorials/28742-how-build-4x2-enclosure-100-a.html). I would, however, modify that design by placing the side panels in between the top and bottom pieces for more support. Also, you can finish the ends with edge tape or get fancy and use trim moldings. It's definitely cheaper to build them yourself, but for some the extra money is worth avoiding a headache.

I had a double enclosure unit with cabinet stand (http://www.cornelsworld.com/gallery/4_2_2_marica1.htm) built by Cornelsworld (http://www.cornelsworld.com/) - he has tons of pictures on his website to give you some design ideas. He does ship to the US, but you could probably find someone more local if you decide not to build yourself.

And, of course, there's also my wood cage build guide (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/84968-diy-wood-cage-build-guide.html) ;)

[Reptile_Reptile]

Actually rob i like the way those look better than boaphiles to op have you google searched snake cages?
duh im not stupid that was the first thing i did, but there are so many links i was hoping to get more reliable ones my fellow forum members may use. and rob lol that is a great picture but i wanted to know what kind they were and did you get them from a site? or just from your pet store?

[Ch^4]

Aesthetically, front-load cages such as a boaphile are great. Functionally and economically, I prefer tub/rack systems; you can house multiple animals in the same footprint as a boaphile (or similar plastic front-load), but you can also provide heat to all animals simultaneously with one thermostat.

I have 2 front-load Pro-line cages (http://www.constrictorsnw.com/cagessupply/plclassiccages.html), which are great, but they both need heating elements (i.e., radiant heat panels), and individual thermostats. I like to use Johnson Controls A419 t-stats, which are ~$80-$100 per unit, so this can be pricey when added the cost of the cage and the radiant heat panel.

For example: My 4' x 2' x 1' Pro-line cage ran me ~$230. The Pro Heat radiant heat panel was another ~$90 (Pro-Products | Heating Solutions (http://www.pro-products.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=59)). The pre-wired JC A419 t-stat was another ~$85 (Johnson Thermostats - Serpents Plus (http://serpentsplus.webs.com/johnsonthermostats.htm)).

Grand total for this ONE setup: ~$405. That was way too expensive...However, I did get a used 2' x 2' x 1' Pro-line cage from Ed (owner of Constrictors NW) for $40. I WISH I went with rack/tub system for all my animals from the start. Simpler and cheaper, period. Plus, my animals love the security of the tub/rack system. Humidity and temps are spot on, without any misting. Overall, happier, healthier animals (IMHO).

I decided to go with a rack system from Animal Plastics for my BPs (Animal Plastics (http://www.animalplastics.com/)). I had a custom rack built that houses 5 adult BPs, with belly heat, for ~$440. Plus a JC A419 t-stat at ~$85. I also have a juvenile rack that houses 6 sub-adult BPs that I got used, with a t-stat, for $120.

Grand total to house ELEVEN BPs: ~$745. (This rack isn't filled....saving space for my own babies!)

DIY would be far cheaper, but I do not have the luxury of spare time. All the spare time I have, which is limited, is spent caring for my snakes.

I hope that helps.

[Reptile_Reptile]

ch^4 thank you, im probably going to get a rack now. that will leave me room to expand my collection and everything, ill probably save up a grand and in the meantime i might just put them in tubs cause Ghonda needs a larger home and Maynard is growing pretty fast.

[Ch^4]

^^ No problem. The *room* for expansion is always a good thing ;) (but a bad thing $$ wise)!

Once you rack, you don't go back!

[Coffee Black]

the cost of shipping is included in the prices, so there's nothing more to pay on the back end.

That is what has always made me like boaphile even more than just the outstanding enclosures.. Shipping included AND their prices are very comparable to places that don't include shipping. I hope to have some boaphile stuff someday.

[stephanbakir]

Anyone know if their arboreal are decent?

[Lankyrob]

THey are all melamine lined fibreboard - the guy that owns our reptile shop has a sideline (his dad is a professional carpenter/cabinet maker) all bought from him and delivered complete and ready to go.