Fully loaded, top of the line, custom-built...

[Strutter769]

Those are powerful adjectives aren't they? Ever walk into a good hot dog stand (Hey, I'm in Chicago!) and say "Everything on it!?"

Think of each of those terms in relation to the ultimate enclosure. What features does it have? A drain, CHE protectors, thermostats, or a power strip? Maybe a waterfall?

What kind of lighting? Heating? Do you want RHP, ceramic, basking, UV? Realistic or functional background and flooring? Do you want someone to come build one for you in your living room?

Is it a corner- or wall-unit? Free-standing? Rectangular, octagonal, pyramid? Anything!
Go crazy! Dream big! Tell me what you want.

Ok, why am I asking this? Probably for the wrong reason actually. I have dreams of providing dream enclosures for all of you... at trade shows, swap meets, etc., etc..

It's ok to ask potential customers what they'd like to see in your product, right?

Have fun with this one!

Thanks everyone for all your input.

[shaunyboy]

some vivariums i rate very highly

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=herptec%20vivariums&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CGcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2F240plan.ovh.net%2F~herptek%2Fherp tek%2Findex.php%3Fpage%3Dtemoignages&ei=yv39To7_PIzZ8QO8pOHVAQ&usg=AFQjCNFxENUOftJH8Hk2W9-7BU1qiwoPAw&cad=rja

this may also help,showing you whats already out there mate

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=rhino%20vivariums&source=web&cd=7&sqi=2&ved=0CHQQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsnakesathome.co.uk%2Fwhatvivarium .aspx&ei=E_79Tp24L8nA8QOBlo39DA&usg=AFQjCNGfYFdOxUWgJaiYQTUzE0lXGJbz-A&cad=rja

rhino viv's were great,but the company went out of buisness,after being sold to a new guy

cheers shaun

[Strutter769]

Shaun, thanks for the links! I'm glad you brought up this display - style cage. I'm a believer in giving a ln animal as much space as you can. A "Boaphile" - type cage that is only 24" high, to me seem cruel, too confining. I know that's not a popular opinion.

I am thinking something more along these lines: Reptile Cages : iguana cage, bearded dragon cage, reptile enclosure, custom wood reptile cages, snake cage, lizard cage (http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-majesticreptile.aspx)

Which leads me to another question. How much are people willing to pay for the interior to already be completed? What if you got to design that too, and we added it for you?

Or, do you prefer a "blank slate" for more of a do-it-yourself?

[Lankyrob]

Personally with my mobility i would love the viv to be delivered to my living room fully set up, wired up etc and all i need to do is plug it in and then put the snake in a few days later.

[Strutter769]

Personally with my mobility i would love the viv to be delivered to my living room fully set up, wired up etc and all i need to do is plug it in and then put the snake in a few days later.

Would you be willing to pay a fee to have one built into your living room?

I did that, and it'll now be sold with the house at some point. Not to mention the interior is done with cement, so it weighs about, oh I don't know.... a Volkswagen! Lol

[Lankyrob]

I wouldnt want it built into the house - would still want it "moveable" so that if we moved house it would come with us. I would pay a premiun for not having to do any of the work tho :)

[Strutter769]

I wouldnt want it built into the house - would still want it "moveable" so that if we moved house it would come with us. I would pay a premiun for not having to do any of the work tho :)

That makes me happy!

I'm curious how many would agree? I'm sure there are quite a few that really like doing it all, and the sense of accomplishment when you see it....
Every.....single.....night! Lol

[presspirate]

As one with "Pet" Snakes, and not just breeders. I would like a Display cage to be viewable from 3 sides. With a infra red light for night time viewing. A drain would be great a misting system on a timer similar to what a super market has in the produce section. Wide doors for easy retreivel and cleaning. A zoo quality enclosure for the home at an affordable price. :hmm: Now you got me thinking.:bouncy:

[Strutter769]

Love it, pirate! Keep thinkin' and keep on typin' my friend!

[Quack]

what about something like this:
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/qquuaacckk/IMG_0392.jpg
with the decorative moulding at the top and it being anchored to the wall.
What about built-in rock structures made of grout or cement, such as basking shelves and water dishes.
you could section off a waterproof area for semi-aquatic species
ive had a lot of ideas for cages, i just cant remember them all right now:yes:

[Strutter769]

what about something like this:
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/qquuaacckk/IMG_0392.jpg
with the decorative moulding at the top and it being anchored to the wall.
What about built-in rock structures made of grout or cement, such as basking shelves and water dishes.
you could section off a waterproof area for semi-aquatic species
ive had a lot of ideas for cages, i just cant remember them all right now:yes:

I really like this one, Quack. More of a picture frame than a piece of furniture. Would this work for garters, etc.? Good for snakes that don't need much additional heat.

This is an example how we used the cement and made styrofoam "rocks" etc.:

[millertime89]

would I like something like the ones from reptile cages? You bet. But the price is the big issue for me. At least for right now.

[Strutter769]

would I like something like the ones from reptile cages? You bet. But the price is the big issue for me. At least for right now.

What if we found a way to reduce the price somewhat, somehow? What features are you willing to still pay for, even when short a few bucks? Something just *that* cool that you'd not mind a few extra dollars? Is there such thing?

[Quack]

Would this work for garters, etc.? Good for snakes that don't need much additional heat.

If youre asking if sectioning off a water area would work for garters, yes, it would definately work for garters. I have a sectioned off area in a75 gallon aquarium for my northern water snake

[Strutter769]

If youre asking if sectioning off a water area would work for garters, yes, it would definately work for garters. I have a sectioned off area in a75 gallon aquarium for my northern water snake

No, I was referring to size. This one hanging on the wall is small. Couldn't get much of wheat variance I'd guess.

[Gungirl]

I would think that with the economy the way that it is anything "big" would be a tough sell. Your best bet IMO is to email companies ( acting like a costumer) that are building close to what you want to build and ask for recommendations on what is the most popular seller. I think people tend to want a LOT for a little. I hope you have luck in your research and can go some where with it.

I am a stubborn woman. I refuse to buy any enclosures. My husband and myself build them all.

[Strutter769]

Thanks Kat. You're right. I think we also have to be careful not to undercut or cheat ourselves either. Maybe the smaller types, like this hanging one, or a coffee table-like unit would be best to promote first. I like the email idea, it sounds like espionage! I mean "research!"

[millertime89]

What if we found a way to reduce the price somewhat, somehow? What features are you willing to still pay for, even when short a few bucks? Something just *that* cool that you'd not mind a few extra dollars? Is there such thing?

Its all relative honestly. If I'm gonna spend a grand on an enclosure, an extra hundred bucks I won't mind dropping for some extra features. I would say 20-30% swings would be manageable, much more than that and it'll get tricky.

[Strutter769]

I am a stubborn woman. I refuse to buy any enclosures. My husband and myself build them all.

Is there a particular feature you always incorporate, or something you'd love to have done but it just sounded like maybe too much, or too big a project?

[Gungirl]

Is there a particular feature you always incorporate, or something you'd love to have done but it just sounded like maybe too much, or too big a project?

I keep my fairly simple. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclosure-reptile-room-showcase/88383-building-another-1-thought-i-would-share.html
I did use flexwatt with my first one but I am now only using an RHP. Other than that change I am really happy with what we have built so far. The hubby and I have been really busy so I have not finished the one for my GTP yet..I think the only thing that is Mandatory for me to have is a high quality epoxy coating on the bottom of the viv.

[Strutter769]

Its all relative honestly. If I'm gonna spend a grand on an enclosure, an extra hundred bucks I won't mind dropping for some extra features. I would say 20-30% swings would be manageable, much more than that and it'll get tricky.

What would you expect in a cage if you were to pay, say $400? That wall mounted one? (I haven't looked to see what it is actually priced. Just speaking hypothetically.)

[Gungirl]

I can tell you it costs us about $150-$175 to make ours and I have had people offer me between $400- $600 for a viv.

[Strutter769]

I keep my fairly simple. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclosure-reptile-room-showcase/88383-building-another-1-thought-i-would-share.html
I did use flexwatt with my first one but I am now only using an RHP. Other than that change I am really happy with what we have built so far. The hubby and I have been really busy so I have not finished the one for my GTP yet..I think the only thing that is Mandatory for me to have is a high quality epoxy coating on the bottom of the viv.

That looks really, really nice Kat. From a business standpoint, I wonder what something like that would retail for in relation to its overall cost.

[Strutter769]

How did your answer my question before I asked it?

[Gungirl]

Lol Im good like that.

[millertime89]

I would expect something similar to what Kat and her husband make for about 400, depending on hours it takes you to make them maybe have a RHP fitted to the top.
My biggest gripe with a lot of the custom vivs that people make is the drastic price increase for additional length, I know what it costs for the materials, and the price of materials doesn't reflect the product price.

[Strutter769]

So, I guess something in that price range may be the ticket in today's world.

[Strutter769]

I would expect something similar to what Kat and her husband make for about 400, depending on hours it takes you to make them maybe have a RHP fitted to the top.
My biggest gripe with a lot of the custom vivs that people make is the drastic price increase for additional length, I know what it costs for the materials, and the price of materials doesn't reflect the product price.

So what I'm understanding is, let's say a 4' cage is $400. In comparison, a 6' cage should be $600, no? Are you saying that's too much of an increase, or would the price difference be even greater? Price now, not cost.

[Gungirl]

If we had the time and room I could sell 10 of mine for $500 each in a month. I have been asked often If we can build one for someone.

[Strutter769]

:smug:If we had the time and room I could sell 10 of mine for $500 each in a month. I have been asked often If we can build one for someone.

Wow! Well, can send those 10 customers and their $$$ my way please? I'll see what I can do to help them! $$$ lol

[Gungirl]

Haha I have a few of them on hold for when we move into our bigger house and can build for them. If you do something similar to what we did you will have no trouble selling them at that price. I do know that outside of the overall look of them, The people that I know like that we used a Whey based all natural sealer and the epoxy. Those seem to be HUGE selling points. I use the same sealer on my hard wood floors 3 years ago and to this day they have held up GREAT! The cost of the sealer is $70 for a gallon but it doesn't take much at all to seal it well.

[Strutter769]

I agree with the whey sealer being a huge bonus! Can I ask the brand name?

[Gungirl]

I live in Vermont and I found Vermont Natural Coatings ? Professional Wood Finish Made Green (http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/) I LOVE it!

[shaunyboy]

Shaun, thanks for the links! I'm glad you brought up this display - style cage. I'm a believer in giving a ln animal as much space as you can. A "Boaphile" - type cage that is only 24" high, to me seem cruel, too confining. I know that's not a popular opinion.

I am thinking something more along these lines: Reptile Cages : iguana cage, bearded dragon cage, reptile enclosure, custom wood reptile cages, snake cage, lizard cage (http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-majesticreptile.aspx)

Which leads me to another question. How much are people willing to pay for the interior to already be completed? What if you got to design that too, and we added it for you?

Or, do you prefer a "blank slate" for more of a do-it-yourself?

so they're not all identical clones of each other,i think its a good idea to let the customer come up with their own design for the interior

or have a few strategicly placed perch mounts,fake plant mounts,etc.then you could sell the vivariums without the interior at a cheaper price,letting people pick up and fit their own interiors

i've heard that the hard plastic type vivariums are quite expensive material wise

the special type of plastic required to take the heat and humidity is expensive to make

i think the actual moulding of the vivarium,etc isn't too bad price wise

i wish you the best of luck with your ventures

cheers shaun

[Quack]

No, I was referring to size. This one hanging on the wall is small. Couldn't get much of wheat variance I'd guess.

The one in the pic is 4 feet long 18 inches deep and 24 inches high, id say the only things you would have to watch with wall mounted ones would be depth and weight, although that one is made of 1/2" oak with 3/4" thick marble for a bottom(my dad is a plumber so he had some extra marble), and the mounting screws we used easily held that and an extra 100 pounds of sand and some rocks when i had a uromastyx in it. So, as long as you mount it right, you would probably be able to go bigger than what I have there.:):yes:

[spots]

Strutter we're on the same page, I'm a carpenter and been thinking how I could market something like this. I LOVE building these viv's. I have built a few for my self and some friends.
Here is the one I built for my BP, and the last on is for my friends Bearded Dragon.

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii396/Jlangan1/IMG_8843.jpg
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii396/Jlangan1/IMG_3320.jpg

[Strutter769]

Spots, I love that top one. We wanted our heat/lighting to be tucked away really nicely in the top like that. My carpenters were too lazy and it just never happened.

[Strutter769]

so they're not all identical clones of each other,i think its a good idea to let the customer come up with their own design for the interior

or have a few strategicly placed perch mounts,fake plant mounts,etc.then you could sell the vivariums without the interior at a cheaper price,letting people pick up and fit their own......

cheers shaun

Great advice Shaun, thanks! So what I think you're saying is to build plant holders into the interior and let the end user choose what to out in them. Nice!

What about live plants? Wouldn't that be good for air quality in some way, creating new oxygen? I've used those "air plants" that live with no soil and only need to soak once a week. Those are cool too.

[Strutter769]

The one in the pic is 4 feet long 18 inches deep and 24 inches high, id say the only things you would have to watch with wall mounted ones would be depth and weight, although that one is made of 1/2" oak with 3/4" thick marble for a bottom(my dad is a plumber so he had some extra marble), and the mounting screws we used easily held that and an extra 100 pounds of sand and some rocks when i had a uromastyx in it. So, as long as you mount it right, you would probably be able to go bigger than what I have there.:):yes:

1/2" oak, 3/4" marble, AND 100lbs. of sand AND rocks?? How exactly is it attached to the wall?

[presspirate]

I am guessing you are an experienced cabinet maker. Maybe you have your own shop. Maybe you have access to discount materials. Maybe you know how to do things well and cheaply. Maybe you know that your intended customer base may not have all of the money in the world to drop on a fancy home for their beloved pets. Maybe you have their best interests at heart. Maybe this is just a side line you are exploring.
There is a need for low cost custom cages for snakes and reptiles. Weather you do it as a full time occupation, or part time using scraps from your primary business. I think if you are knowledgeable and willing to work with your clients to meet their needs. you will find a niche and in my opinion you will thrive.

[Quack]

1/2" oak, 3/4" marble, AND 100lbs. of sand AND rocks?? How exactly is it attached to the wall?
my dad mounted it, but it was around 6 or so years ago so i dont remember what all he used but you can see 6 screws that i know screw into the studs in the wall.
theres no way those screws could hold up that much weight, and there has to be more to it than that, so ill ask him when i get a chance.

[Strutter769]

I am guessing you are an experienced cabinet maker. Maybe you have your own shop. Maybe you have access to discount materials. Maybe you know how to do things well and cheaply. Maybe you know that your intended customer base may not have all of the money in the world to drop on a fancy home for their beloved pets. Maybe you have their best interests at heart. Maybe this is just a side line you are exploring.
There is a need for low cost custom cages for snakes and reptiles. Weather you do it as a full time occupation, or part time using scraps from your primary business. I think if you are knowledgeable and willing to work with your clients to meet their needs. you will find a niche and in my opinion you will thrive.

Thanks Greg! I guess I could explain all those things a bit better, huh?

I am far more creative than constructive! This is an avenue we ate exploring. I have some pretty creative people beside me in this project, and one heck of a builder (with some extra time during winter months) who's really eager to put a really nice product out there. I don't know how (in)expensive it might be, or how far down we'll be able to keep costs/prices. I can definitely promise you I do know my buyers want something really nice and need their cash for the animal(s) they're housing. Yes, we definitely share all those interests at heart. No doubt about it.

I've spent my career facing customers, angry customers, so I feel I really know how to listen, learn what the customer wants, then do what needs to be done to deliver. That's what I really want to do here. Just like so many of these "open-platform" video games, start with a clean canvas, design what you want for your animals, we find a way to make it happen, at a really fair price..... in a perfect world, anyway. (-:

This will also be offered along side our c.b.b. boas. No, not those boas.

[presspirate]

In my opinion, A good option to offer would be, if you had a "handy" client without a lot of tools. Offer up a "kit". Pre cut, pre drilled, unfinished with all (Assembly) hardware. Most people have drills, but a select few have table saws. Dado blades, bits, routers, etc.

[Strutter769]

In my opinion, A good option to offer would be, if you had a "handy" client without a lot of tools. Offer up a "kit". Pre cut, pre drilled, unfinished with all (Assembly) hardware. Most people have drills, but a select few have table saws. Dado blades, bits, routers, etc.

That is a *great* idea! Pre-fab cages! I love it! Thank you!

[presspirate]

No prob. I'll only expect..... 15 percent lol!

[red ink]

The only enclosures I have ever bought are glass aquariums.... they have all since now left my house. I now build all my enclosures to suit the space I have and tailored to each species I keep. This way i can maximise the space and yet provide adequate housing for my reptiles. I have never been a fan of the kit one size fits all..... but hey that's not saying it does'nt work.

Most people down under build their own enclosures and there are more than a few that do it as a business. I have also built some for friends and the one thing I can tell you as a venture to seperate you from the rest is build to the specific species and the specific size limitations of the customer. I say limitations as if you show them how to maximise space. Which means more reptiles for them as well as showing an understanding of their reptiles husbandry needs then mate they'd be lining up for your services. Who does'nt want to fit three enclosures in a space where they thought only one enclosure would fit :D

Build a couple of "show" peices and the rest build to order this will minimise your capital and save you time.

[Strutter769]

Uhhhh.... is that negotiable? :hmm:

[presspirate]

Of course! And refer to redink above as well. You may want to give him 10 percent. Best of luck to you.

[Strutter769]

*red ink* Build to the species - Maximize space.. got it. Now my philosophy has been to give the animal as much space as you can. To maximize space, I have to somewhat balance the two, yes? Give the animal all it needs, in the space available.

Lets talk about efficiency a bit more. When building a "multi-unit" piece, what is the best way to most efficiently heat/light? Are there ways to have maybe two end-to-end to share a hotspots maybe, or if you have a species that needs UVA;B lights, they could both benefit from one bulb, or one UTH, etc?

[red ink]

*red ink* Build to the species - Maximize space.. got it. Now my philosophy has been to give the animal as much space as you can. To maximize space, I have to somewhat balance the two, yes? Yes you have to balance the two, but it should not be give the animal as much space as you can. Rather it should be as much space as it would utilise, again this is where specific species husbandry and behaviour understanding comes in to factor. You have to get out of the mind set of a "set sized box" a semi arboreal snake for example a mid sized carpet python does well in a 4x2x2 (standard size) but it will equally do well in a 3x2x3 which means as most houses have limited space on the floor you build up to provide for the species.Give the animal all it needs, in the space available. Give the animal all the space it will utilise in a maximised house floor space.

Lets talk about efficiency a bit more. When building a "multi-unit" piece, what is the best way to most efficiently heat/light? Halogen lights (as I've said previously in another thread) and low wattage CFL bulbs even LED lighting systems. In fact there's a thread on here on power bills (general discussion forum) which explains more what I do. Are there ways to have maybe two end-to-end to share a hotspots maybe, or if you have a species that needs UVA;B lights, they could both benefit from one bulb, or one UTH, etc? There would be but only if the species in questions do not have dominance issues again this would come down to the understanding of specific species behaviour. Here's a tip for you say you put a diurnal lizard at the bottom of a 4 enclosure stack you would heat this with a basking light. Guess what happens to the enclosure above? The area where the basking light is mounted on the roof of the bottom enclosure heats up the floor area of the enclosure directly above, effectively a UTH with only one heat source. So you would only need to provide a supplementary heat source like a CHE to the enclosure above controlled by a thermostat. You could effectively then house a species that primarily uses UTH as a heat source on the second stack. You could be clever and repeat this process on the whole stack. Heat rises take advantage of it.

Hope that helps mate, If you have any more specific Qs just ask away.
Ohhh another thing mate, all enclosures that are freestanding must have wheels. Your clients would appreciate pushing rather than lifting a heavy enclosure.

[Strutter769]

Nicely done, mate. Thanks for elaborating on those points. Yes, I want to read more about your recommendations of L.E.D. lighting. I think it looks top-noch and had no idea it would be practical for that use!

I see what you mean about using a single heat source for multiple enclosures.

At this point, I feel I have modest hopes and expectations for this venture. As you can see, I am still very much in the brainstorming phase now. I have an uncle who is an architect, and I meet with him tomorrow to float around design ideas. I'd like for him to be able to create models, maybe 1:6 scale, of ideas we have. These models are what we will bring to shows and events to show what we can do. Much easier than lugging around full-scale cages that weigh who knows how much!

Lets keep these brains stormin'! All great tips so far! Thanks so much.

[red ink]

examples

My enclosures that take advantage of thermal transfer...

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/48e53e18.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/P1010683.jpg

enclosures that I have purposely put a thermal buffer in (air gap) to prevent transfer

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/P1010696.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/Greyham/P1020463.jpg

Free standing enclosures

*this one was a tricky one housing arboreal geckos, I wanted to make it out of wood to retain/maximise heat but how do I heat up/create a basking wall for them. Solution, a glass wall within the enclosure that has a heat cord behind it. They get a heat wall while not being in direct contact of a heat source.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/P1020730.jpg

another free standing enclosure
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/P1010685.jpg

A rack maximising heat retention
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/geckos/P1020741.jpg

They are not the prettiest of enclosures but they sure are effective.

[ZARADOZIA]

I live in Vermont and I found Vermont Natural Coatings ? Professional Wood Finish Made Green (http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/) I LOVE it!

Thank you for posting this. I found a distrubitor for the eastcoast that costs (for me) 72.72 which includes shipping. It's 59.40 for a gallon of it.

The Amicus Green Building Center : Vermont Naturals (http://www.amicusgreen.com/browse.cfm/vermont-naturals/2,263.html)

[KORBIN5895]

I honestly wouldn't pay big bucks for a viv as I am really too cheap. But I do have a business suggestion! If you are going to do expos invest in make 3 or 4 really nice tricked out vivs. I mean really nice. Show them what you can do! People want to see what they can get. Another thing you need to invest in is a computer program that people can get hands on and truly design it not just tell you. Again visual is supper important. I would also have a few vivs that are cheaper and easier to sale. You should make most of your business made to order. That way you don't have to invest in a bunch of material that may not move.

@Kyle
the main reason vivs go up in price after a certain size (usually 4') is because most materials are sold in 4'x8' sheets. Anything bigger than four feet goes from using say one and a half sheets to using 3 sheets with c scraps left over that may never be used. I just mad an aquarium stand that was 4'x2'x13" and it used a whole sheet of ¾ oak that cost me 50 bucks. That was without putting a top on the box.

There is my $25 ( I charge 100 bucks an hour for advice.)

[knox]

Excellent thread!

I only keep Colubrids, so my needs are very basic. 4 ft maximum width. No worries about humidity. So really, just an escape proof cage with heat.

the two most important factors to me are quality and price. I want something light, durable, well-built, and will last 25 years. XPVC or something along those lines.

Here's where some of us get spoiled, though. I have a $400 Rack that houses 6 snakes. So, would I spend $200 - $300 for an enclosure that only houses 1? Probably not. I can get a 40 Gallon Breeder Zilla tank for around $100.

There's a market for everything, though. I am simply one in millions of keepers out there.

[Gungirl]

Thank you for posting this. I found a distrubitor for the eastcoast that costs (for me) 72.72 which includes shipping. It's 59.40 for a gallon of it.

The Amicus Green Building Center : Vermont Naturals (http://www.amicusgreen.com/browse.cfm/vermont-naturals/2,263.html)

You will love this stuff! I have a few gallons sitting in my basement waiting for a project to be done. It has almost no smell at all. We did our entire house and could still sit and chat without being bothered by they smell at all.

[Strutter769]

Excellent thread! I want something light, durable, well-built, and will last 25 years. XPVC or something along those lines.

Here's where some of us get spoiled, though. I have a $400 Rack that houses 6 snakes. So, would I spend $200 - $300 for an enclosure that only houses 1? Probably not. I can get a 40 Gallon Breeder Zilla tank for around $100.

There's a market for everything, though. I am simply one in millions of keepers out there.

Light and durable. Well, I know we can make them durable... It's really difficult getting something as big as some of us need, and keep it lightweight. Something good to keep in mind though for sure!