worth the money?

[Gravelanche]

OK so as i have mentioned by the end of the summer i want a bit more official reptile setup than just a bunch of tanks floating around.

one of the things i was planning was stacking my big snake tanks (three 4x2x1.5 tanks) im either going to build it myself or invest in something, i found a guy selling these:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjY5WDEwMDA=/$(KGrHqJ,!hIFCv!2uSeWBQyM55pO6w~~48_20.JPG

they are pre-made to stack on each other and solid, but for three i would be looking at $900 plus heat tape or lamps or something to warm them with.

I feel like i could definitely save money by making my own, but would it be worth the headache?

[Jendee]

I have most my adult animals in these. Ive liked them they are a pain to clean but its whatevs lol they look nice, and professional. here they are $200 each shipped $900 for 3 seems a bit expensive to me...

[KORBIN5895]

I think its a decent price for up here. I would put radiant heat panels in.


As for an enclosure build I put mine together for about $200 ( I salvaged some stuff). It is 4'x2'x4' so building one would be way cheaper.

[Gravelanche]

I think its a decent price for up here. I would put radiant heat panels in.


As for an enclosure build I put mine together for about $200 ( I salvaged some stuff). It is 4'x2'x4' so building one would be way cheaper.

$200 for one? because im looking to make 3 of them

[KORBIN5895]

$200 for one? because im looking to make 3 of them

If you notice the size my enclosure is 4'x2'x2'. It is divided into two 2'x2'x4' enclosures. So in essence each enclosure cost me $100 and it looks way better than PVC.

[Terranaut]

I didn't pay $900 for mine. Ask for a deal.
Great cages imho.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130220_161602_zps2660fd3c.jpg

[Gravelanche]

wow, thats exactly what i want, am going to get 3 long though, one for my ball, one for my boa and one for a mexican black kingsnake.

im thinking i might just save up and grab em at the breeders expo in september, i should be able to get a good deal then. if i dont get bored and just build em myself

[Aaron_S]

Who has these? Who were they made by?

[Gravelanche]

not sure if you are talking to me or terranaut but mine i found on kijiji from a manufacturer, they dont have a store of their own and just provide them to other stores like big al's

ENORMOUS CLEARANCE SALE ON PVC CAGES FOR BALL PYTHON / REPTILES - Peterborough Pet Accessories - Kijiji Peterborough Canada. (http://peterborough.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-ENORMOUS-CLEARANCE-SALE-ON-PVC-CAGES-FOR-BALL-PYTHON-REPTILES-W0QQAdIdZ439596087)

they seem to be having a clearance sale and they have GTA distributors you might be able to pick some up cheap

[Aaron_S]

I'd start googling their company name and see how they rate.

[Terranaut]

These are made in Toronto by Powerhouse Displays.
They are nice and not too expensive.
I am about to go into the enclosure buisness as well but I plan to build only very high end stuff...which will also have higher prices but you trulyget what you pay for.
If you talk to Kevin at their booth they always have at the reptile expos in Southern Ontario and ask for a better price than on thier website he will bend a bit.

[Gravelanche]

hah yeah, same guy i've been talking to

[Terranaut]

They are also members here.

[stephanbakir]

I currently use powerhouse cages, the pvc stains a little, I'll take a pic tomorrow (retic pee is powerful stuff) and unless you support them they bow.
That being said, they are incredibly light. Not overly strong but they will be fine for animals that can't reach 2 opposite sides and flex.
There is no hole in the cage that will fit your probe from the thermostat so you will need to drill one, be gentle so you don't crack the pvc (I didn't have issues and I don't expect anyone would unless they got crazy) same goes for wires for lighting etc.

[Gravelanche]

I currently use powerhouse cages, the pvc stains a little, I'll take a pic tomorrow (retic pee is powerful stuff) and unless you support them they bow.
That being said, they are incredibly light. Not overly strong but they will be fine for animals that can't reach 2 opposite sides and flex.
There is no hole in the cage that will fit your probe from the thermostat so you will need to drill one, be gentle so you don't crack the pvc (I didn't have issues and I don't expect anyone would unless they got crazy) same goes for wires for lighting etc.

awesome, im not afraid of a little drill work, and they wont be holding anything larger than a ball or kingsnake. i have no interest in owning a burmese, awesome animals, but im not willing to take the risk, even though i know it's infantesimaly small. Also my mother would never visit again.

[stephanbakir]

If its for balls and kings, you've got no worries and they are fantastic cages :) They scratch easy on the outside so try and avoid that, the scratches are obvious.

[Gravelanche]

im pretty sure they will be at the toronto expo so im going to take a close look there

[stephanbakir]

They are always at the toronto expo, and if you pre-order you tend to get better rates.
Make sure to ask for them to come in cardboard boxes for transport so you don't scratch them on the way home.

[Gravelanche]

ok, so i got an email from a guy that makes custom tanks and the price is definitely better than the PVC cages, (from $240 down to $150 each)

the big difference is, these are custom made GLASS terrariums, which i do like better for undertank heaters and visibility, but i was planning to stack 3 to 4 of them on top of each other and im suddenly paranoid to do this with glass tanks.

he says it should be fine and has styrofoam spacers for in between, also the doors would be on the front instead of the top. im just paranoid the damn things are going to collapse and kill everything. what do you guys think?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqR,!p4FEOtROY0qBRMl97T6uQ~~48_20.JPG

[erichillkeast]

I would have the same fear as you stacking glass terrariums, although I'm sure that they would be fine.

Personally if I were to stack them I would want to do it on a shelf of some sort, just to give myself peace of mind. How handy are you with building things? You could probably build a shelf for pretty cheap, or maybe even find one for cheap somewhere.

[Gravelanche]

i would agree except 2 things, if i were handy enough to build a good shelf, i could build a good snake box, also that picture may be decieving, that tank is 48 long by 24 wide, be tough to find a shelf big enough for that

[Terranaut]

You will have to cover 3 sides if it with something so your snake feeks secure. Also I never paid $250 for mine. Did he mention how heavy glass is? I can hold an empty pvc cage upright with 1 hand. Glass is heavy and the pvc is very fire/heat resistant. I think you will find the ovc is way better than the glass. Also.... is the glass one vented. I don't see vents in the picture??

[stephanbakir]

You will have to cover 3 sides if it with something so your snake feeks secure. Also I never paid $250 for mine. Did he mention how heavy glass is? I can hold an empty pvc cage upright with 1 hand. Glass is heavy and the pvc is very fire/heat resistant. I think you will find the ovc is way better than the glass. Also.... is the glass one vented. I don't see vents in the picture??
I have a picture somewhere of my little cousin (8 years old) picking up the 4 foot enclosures by powerhouse display... the are LIGHT, and self extinguishing.

Glass is pretty, heavy, and if its made wrong it leaks and breaks.

While I'm not crazy about the amount of glue on the edges of the pvc cages, they definitely didn't skimp on it, they don't leak.

I had my female tic in one of the divided 4 foot pvc cages for an hour while I was cleaning out my stack of pvc cages (she was in a 2 foot section of a 4 foot cage) When I got back she was sitting in almost an inch of urine, the cage didn't leak. I hated seeing her like that, now I put her in a much larger space while cage cleaning.

[KORBIN5895]

I would worry about the glass sagging and the doors binding. Also those tanks will be ridiculously heavy. How thick is the glass?

[jarich]

If its just mulch or something light like that for substrate, then they will be fine to stack. Glass holds a lot of weight. As mentioned, glass is much heavier though, so moving them will be more of an issue for you.

Otherwise thats a good sized enclosure for that price. Does that include delivery?

[Will0W783]

You might want to look at PmHerps cages. I like them better because they are white and easier to see the snake inside. They also tend to be less expensive than other ABS caging.

[Gravelanche]

looked em up, really like those white enclosures, but they are probably based in the states and cross border shipping fo anything is a pain in the ***

[stephanbakir]

looked em up, really like those white enclosures, but they are probably based in the states and cross border shipping fo anything is a pain in the ***
Unless you drive them over yourself, the fees will eat you alive. It's the only reason I went with Powerhouse cages instead of Sentec (Sentec cages are godlike, if you have the money)

[RyanReptile]

Unless you drive them over yourself, the fees will eat you alive. It's the only reason I went with Powerhouse cages instead of Sentec (Sentec cages are godlike, if you have the money)

Where were you able to buy your pvc cages? It would definitely be something I would look into when I have the money.

[stephanbakir]

Powerhouse displays has quite a few distributors. You can call them and ask which one is the closest.
Powerhouse Displays Inc. Team
(905)783-8893
info@powerhousedisplays.com

[RyanReptile]

I actually just came across the ad that was in a previous replay and noticed that it mentioned some of the distributers, Dino reptiles is said to carry them witch would be very convenient because they are only about a 45 minute drive from where I live. Thanks.

[erichillkeast]

I actually just came across the ad that was in a previous replay and noticed that it mentioned some of the distributers, Dino reptiles is said to carry them witch would be very convenient because they are only about a 45 minute drive from where I live. Thanks.

As far as I know they are no longer carrying them. They might have some left but I believe that they wil no longer be getting any in. That was the last I heard anyways, and they have been removed from the Dine Reptiles website.

[stephanbakir]

As far as I know they are no longer carrying them. They might have some left but I believe that they wil no longer be getting any in. That was the last I heard anyways, and they have been removed from the Dine Reptiles website.
They still carry them. I just purchased a pair of 4 footers off Norm, he had about 15 of them ready for sale.

[erichillkeast]

They still carry them. I just purchased a pair of 4 footers off Norm, he had about 15 of them ready for sale.



That is good to know thanks.

[Gravelanche]

i have been digging around, and i think practicality has pushed me to racks, found a guy who does racks big enough for the biggest BP and kingsnakes for 5 racks for $280 or a 10 rack for $500.

[KORBIN5895]

So why the sudden change in the space you plan to provide?

[Gravelanche]

price, i was looking at paying $750 plus delivery for 3 unheated unlit PVC tanks, or 280 for a 5 adult sized bin rack which is pre-run with heat tape. that was just too much money to pay to show off.

[KORBIN5895]

I see this as a sad step backwards. If you feel that you should provide something for an animal then you back down because of money I think you should step back and reevaluate.

[Gravelanche]

im not stepping backwards for the animal, it seems generaly accepted that most terestrial snakes prefer the enclosed environment, its better for their health with the more controlable climate as well, easier to keep the tanks clean too. if anything the large tanks are a vanity item for ME rather than the snakes.

and its not just about saving money, its about saving a LOT of money, going from housing costs of $300 an animal to about $60

[KORBIN5895]

So basically you are doing this so YOU can get MORE animals.

Do you truly think its fair to keep a 3.5 snake in a 27" tub for life?

[Corey209]

I hope you're able to pay for so many animals in the future..

[Gravelanche]

So basically you are doing this so YOU can get MORE animals.

Do you truly think its fair to keep a 3.5 snake in a 27" tub for life?

neat, you managed to assume 3 things in one sentence, good job.

the size of the snakes im keeping, the size of the bins in the rack (they are 36x18x6) and the assumption its for life for everything i ever get.

im seriously getting sick of this, one minute people are recomending racks as a perfectly valid option, the next im getting chewed out for taking the suggestion

[Terranaut]

Well although I will not harp on you for the change of heart, I also agree that if it isn't about the money then I would go with the display cages. They cost more of course but you will enjoy them more as well. When you enjoy your pet more, you will do the little extras that take them from surviving to living. The reason some might give you some flack is because you started talking about buying them mansions and now your going with the trailer. I would also reevaluate to be sure you want your sbakes in drawers.

[Gravelanche]

i agree, ideally i would love to give them all a mansion. and maybe at some point i will have the cash to drop $300 on an enclosure for each one. but a few key things to remember, i only have one adult snake and she is staying in her 4 foot tank. plenty of room there. and anything i bring home in the near future will be either a juvenile or hatchling with plenty of room. and finally, i DO want to get some breeding rolling in the next year or so, so im looking into my options for the long term.

at the end of the day though, i either have to decide between spending my budget on tanks i wont be able to afford to fill, or bins i can keep some happy juve's in and watch them grow.

[Lankyrob]

Something to consider, if you have spare spaces in your rack and bring home new snakes, where are you going to put them? You cant put them into the rack due to quarantine needs.

[Corey209]

Something to consider, if you have spare spaces in your rack and bring home new snakes, where are you going to put them? You cant put them into the rack due to quarantine needs.

If you get all your reptiles from the same place and you know they're all healthy, you don't really need to qt do you?

[KORBIN5895]

neat, you managed to assume 3 things in one sentence, good job.

the size of the snakes im keeping, the size of the bins in the rack (they are 36x18x6) and the assumption its for life for everything i ever get.

im seriously getting sick of this, one minute people are recomending racks as a perfectly valid option, the next im getting chewed out for taking the suggestion

Well let's see , you have a royal and a rainbow which will both get at least 3.5', so knock that assumption off.

Most breeders put royals in a 27"x18"x4" tub so I used the common size.

And I have never heard of anyone buying a rack and then moving them back into a viv.

Say what you want but the truth is blatantly obvious.

@ Corey

How would you know they are all healthy? What if only one was sick? What if that place got them all from different sources?

[Gravelanche]

riight so all breeders are horrible people for keeping their snakes in a tub. im glad i have descended to the scum of those here who keep their snakes in racks. they should all be shot and dragged through the streets for doing so.

your oppinion has been noted and rejected, deal with it and move on. also, in general you are a major killjoy and douchebag, im glad you are at peace with it, but im putting you on ignore so there is no sense bothering to try to reply to my posts

[Corey209]

riight so all breeders are horrible people for keeping their snakes in a tub. im glad i have descended to the scum of those here who keep their snakes in racks. they should all be shot and dragged through the streets for doing so.

your oppinion has been noted and rejected, deal with it and move on. also, in general you are a major killjoy and douchebag, im glad you are at peace with it, but im putting you on ignore so there is no sense bothering to try to reply to my posts

Ask a breeder to see one of their pet snakes and it won't be in a tub. They keep the snakes they use to breed in conditions that they can survive in not thrive in.

[KORBIN5895]

riight so all breeders are horrible people for keeping their snakes in a tub. im glad i have descended to the scum of those here who keep their snakes in racks. they should all be shot and dragged through the streets for doing so.

your oppinion has been noted and rejected, deal with it and move on. also, in general you are a major killjoy and douchebag, im glad you are at peace with it, but im putting you on ignore so there is no sense bothering to try to reply to my posts

I see the truth hurts you. Sorry your offended because I called you out for your flighty and unstable ways. Sorry that logic and reason make me a killjoy. Also thanks for calling me a douchebag and putting me on your ignore list, it made me laugh hard. Now I shall make fun of you and you will never know!

[Terranaut]

One of the reasons it's ok for breeders to use tubs is all of the snakes in the rack are from the same clutches and have only ever been exposed to each other so there is no risk or need for quarentine.
Many breeders do infact keep their adult snakes is vivs over racks.
Racks are not the end of the world but again I would advise going with the more expensive vivs. Truly the only reason to keep snakes in a rack is to save space or money. I know I didn't buy my snakes to hide them. I will bet after using a rack you will wish you had gone the other way.
Korbin is direct,opinionated and sometimes rude but he is not a "douchebag" He cares and is trying to help but doesn't engage any filters on his replies. Putting people on your ignore list just makesbyou wonder why threads have gaps. Maybe everyone can put pride away and get back to the snakes ???

[infernalis]

Maybe everyone can put pride away and get back to the snakes ???

http://www.varanuspark.com/Borat.gif

[Aaron_S]

One of the reasons it's ok for breeders to use tubs is all of the snakes in the rack are from the same clutches and have only ever been exposed to each other so there is no risk or need for quarentine.
Many breeders do infact keep their adult snakes is vivs over racks.
Racks are not the end of the world but again I would advise going with the more expensive vivs. Truly the only reason to keep snakes in a rack is to save space or money. I know I didn't buy my snakes to hide them. I will bet after using a rack you will wish you had gone the other way.
Korbin is direct,opinionated and sometimes rude but he is not a "douchebag" He cares and is trying to help but doesn't engage any filters on his replies. Putting people on your ignore list just makesbyou wonder why threads have gaps. Maybe everyone can put pride away and get back to the snakes ???

You're correct about a lot Dan.

I would venture that quarantine is still needed though if they bring in outside animals.

I know the breeders I deal with, even the biggest, use quarantine.

Also, if I was keeping two animals I'd probably own some vivs.

[Aaron_S]

Ask a breeder to see one of their pet snakes and it won't be in a tub. They keep the snakes they use to breed in conditions that they can survive in not thrive in.

I believe my animals thrive actually. Nothing says thriving like eating, pooping, shedding and breeding on a regular basis ;)

[KORBIN5895]

I believe my animals thrive actually. Nothing says thriving like eating, pooping, shedding and breeding on a regular basis ;)

No they mean THRIVE !!!!! You know like come out and give you kisses, cuddle you for hours and take long romantic walks in your hoody.

[Gravelanche]

I believe my animals thrive actually. Nothing says thriving like eating, pooping, shedding and breeding on a regular basis ;)

other than the shedding part, thats basically what i consider a successful day in my books

[Aaron_S]

No they mean THRIVE !!!!! You know like come out and give you kisses, cuddle you for hours and take long romantic walks in your hoody.

Silly me. Forgetting about all the bonding they do with one another.

[forza_inter]

I didn't pay $900 for mine. Ask for a deal.
Great cages imho.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130220_161602_zps2660fd3c.jpg

wow thats an awesome setup...how big is the one at the bottom?? looks like exactly the type of enclosure im looking for.

[stephanbakir]

looks like the 48 inch Powerhouse canada cage

[Terranaut]

Yup 4x2x16" Powerhouse.

[Bel5191]

Anyone have any experience with Boaphile Plastics reptile cages? I was thinking about getting a 36x24x11.5 for a corn snake. It sells for $214 USD.

[Corey209]

Anyone have any experience with Boaphile Plastics reptile cages? I was thinking about getting a 36x24x11.5 for a corn snake. It sells for $214 USD.

Check out neodesha, proline and vision for their prices before getting a boaphile

[stephanbakir]

Check out neodesha, proline and vision for their prices before getting a boaphile
Hes in Canada, royal pain to get that stuff up here.

[Corey209]

Hes in Canada, royal pain to get that stuff up here.

SW Pennsylvania

I don't think that's Canada.

[Terranaut]

Anyone have any experience with Boaphile Plastics reptile cages? I was thinking about getting a 36x24x11.5 for a corn snake. It sells for $214 USD.

That seens pricey to me :(

[stephanbakir]

Thought he was referring to the OP.

[Marc eh]

I'm using two of these two house my snakes. I set up an arboreal and a set up for a redtail. I used a soldering gun and a leather man multi tool to install all the radiant heat panels thermostats and what not. I would recommend to anyone.