Budgeting for Boaphile

[alessia55]

I was really looking forward to getting two boaphile cages for my two ball pythons. But... there's the issue of how freaking expensive the are.

Here is what I'd have to buy...

The cage: $214
Under cage heat: $25
2 hinges: $8
2 keyed latches: $10
Light: $39
TOTAL: $296

All of that TIMES TWO (since I'd have to get 2 of everything): $592 :eek:

Who of you have Boaphile cages? Did you not think these prices are outrageous? I'm not sure what to do... Are there other companies out there who do a good job for a better price? I'd like something that comes ready made- Please don't tell me to attempt building something myself (I'd be hopeless at it).

[Gungirl]

Try to find a local handy man or retired cabinet maker and see if you can get a really nice wooden one made for you? I personally don't like the plastic ones but for me it has to look like a piece of furniture as well as function 100% to the animals needs.

[SkYyaMe1623]

I only ordered a boaphile cage because they make one specifically for arboreals with a perfect perch sitting across the cage. Between 2 cages like you listed you're knocking out lighting and heat and locks for both cages for ~$164 but you would need to spend money on heating and lights (and locks if you want them) anyway.

If you want just a cage with no custom options herpcages.com do it for a great price imo. I have one from them and it's great - looks and function wise.

[stephanbakir]

I use bins for the bulk of my stuff, anything big goes in either a sentec or a boaphile, but thats because they can break out.

[bbb13]

I spoke to someone @ Boaphile a few days ago and found out that in Canada we'd have tp pay an extra $140-160 for shipping. That's alot.:pissedoff:

[bbb13]

I use bins for the bulk of my stuff, anything big goes in either a sentec or a boaphile, but thats because they can break out.
Sentec looks like quality stuff but it's also not cheap.

[SkYyaMe1623]

Also keep in mind boaphile takes 5 weeks to receive a cage once you placed the order. So if you'll need it by next month or so you have to place the order NOW
http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/grad.gif

[alessia55]

Well I like the Boaphile ones because you can have them delivered with the flexwatt heat, lights, locks, everything already installed. I'd rather buy from a company that already has a lot of experience making reptile cages rather than finding someone who simply has carpentry experience. I'd rather buy once and buy it right, you know what I mean?

I also like the look of the Boaphile cages. Both of these would be on display in my house so, according to my mom's standards, the cages need to look clean and professional.

I'll check out herpcages.com, thanks for the link David.

[alessia55]

Also keep in mind boaphile takes 5 weeks to receive a cage once you placed the order. So if you'll need it by next month or so you have to place the order NOW

I don't need the cage anytime soon. I need it by April 2012, so I have 5 months to figure this all out. But I'm the type of person who likes to do things way in advance and have everything planned out. :yes:

[SkYyaMe1623]

No problem! I'd be happy to post pics of mine (happy bumblebee inside) later if you want to take a look!

I started using them because viperkeeper (my herp-keeping idol) has plenty of them.

Of course boaphile is awesome and is never a bad move.

[alessia55]

Pics are always welcome

[marvelfreak]

There are other company that make cages just like Boaphile. Animal Plastic, Repti Racks, and Boamaster are a few. Check out kingsnake.com it has quite a few of them on there.
Kingsnake.com Classifieds > Arboreal, Free Standing, & Stackable Cage Classifieds (http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=22)

If you look around sometimes you can find them used. I got my 4 Boaphile 4x2x1 used off of kingsnake for $300.00.

[millertime89]

I've been contemplating buying some ABS plastic and making my own. I've got all the tools already to do it.

bbb13, I mentioned it in the other thread, and you other Canadians should hear this too, when you order, REQUEST THEY SHIP USPS. Our (US citizens') taxes go towards those extra fees and you don't have to pay them.

[Freebody]

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/how-tos-tutorials/28742-how-build-4x2-enclosure-100-a.html look great stacked, cheep and very simple to make, with the money you save you can easy afford to buy the hand drill you need if you dont have on already, Home depot will cut your wood for you as well, or pretty much any place that sell plywood and whatnot.

[alessia55]

Ok. I'm going to look into the other brands that some of ya'll mentioned. Thanks everyone! If Boaphile does turn out to be the best option, that's what I'll go with. But hopefully I can find a better deal somewhere :yes:

[SkYyaMe1623]

Slightly late but I deliver http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/birdman.gif

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f376/1MileNorth/40672418.jpg

That's from herpcages.com. You can order with or without a screen top. That may have costed me around $70 which is well worth it imo

[alessia55]

Whaaat? $70? that sounds like a dream. And I actually quite like the look of it too! Do they build in the flexwatt heat underneath for you?

[SkYyaMe1623]

The bottom is actually slightly raised, so it's built to make it easy for you to stick a UTH on the bottom which is what I did. Holds humidity great (especially if you go without the screen top). And yes it's beautiful, we call it Fluffy's "modern contemporary home".

[alessia55]

The bottom is actually slightly raised, so it's built to make it easy for you to stick a UTH on the bottom which is what I did. Holds humidity great (especially if you go without the screen top). And yes it's beautiful, we call it Fluffy's "modern contemporary home".

If you stick the UTH under there, is there a hole for the cable to come out from underneath there to plug it in and all? Could you post a pic of what it looks like from behind? Thanks SkY

[SkYyaMe1623]

Not home at the moment so I'm linking the following from herpcages.com...

from the side:
http://www.herpcages.com/test/241212s.jpg

bottom:
http://www.herpcages.com/test/241212u.jpg

that cage is actually $55. $50 if you order it without the screen top (they add ventilation holes in the back)

Did I mention this took a week to deliver? The arboreal cage I ordered from boaphile took 5, but i ordered it with lighting and heating installed.

[alessia55]

What size is yours? Is it the 24"x12"x12"? I don't think that would be big enough for my ball pythons as adults (since Kaybe is currently in a 36x18x18)

[SkYyaMe1623]

You need to call them to the place the order, and they ask you what dimensions you would like the cage to be. Just tell them you want the cage in 36" by 24" by 18".

I don't know if the cage you're currently using opens from the front, but that's imo one of the most clutch things you could possibly have when keeping a snake. If Kaybe is moving from a fish tank into a real snake cage that opens from the front you'll notice a world of difference (approaching a snake from ground level is nothing like approaching a snake from above, then there's humidity)
http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/grad.gif

[alessia55]

Yup! Keeping humidity higher is exactly why I want to move him into a "real" snake cage ;) I don't think having a front opening cage will make a differences as per his temperment though. He doesn't care one bit about being approached from the top. He's oober laid back :)

[SkYyaMe1623]

Mine are oober laid back as well but the front opening from brings a lot of convenience.

There's also something very rewarding about when you see your snake looking to explore, so you then open the front and allow it to slither up your arm.]

Let me know what you think when you get your hands on something that opens from the front!

[millertime89]

those herp cages look about perfect.

[mattchibi]

Imo check on fauna classifieds, alessia. They often have tons of ball python sales as well as enclosure sales, definitely worth checking out! You may find someone who has a one year old boaphile cage that they cannot keep anymore, all you would have to do is bleach/water it and then spray some PAM. Probably a little cheaper if thats what youre looking for.