Plastic cage preferance ??

[Sublimeballs]

Ok so I'm interested in what people have to say about boamaster, and boaphile pvc cages. I like the idea of the boamaster using 1/2 inch pvc over the Boaphile 1/4 inch pvc. But I've heard that boamasters have a tendency to leak, and boaphile have a tendency to crack/break. The cages im looking at are 6'x2', boaphile would be $455 shipped, and the boamaster $400 and I could drive and get it as they're located only a couple hours away. I'm not opposed to putting the cage togather, so that's not an issue. Just want a cage thats gonna last. All input is appreciated, thanks.

[Mikoh4792]

The reason why boamasters leak is because people don't seal them right. It's not a one peice cage, so there will be seams that you need to fill with a sealant(silicone, acrylic...etc).

With boaphiles I think they are welded together(heat folded and chemically) so there is no need to seal them.

What are you putting inside the cage?

I'd recommend constrictors northwest or animal plastics.(PVC cages are great too but the gap inbetween the glass is so narrow you can't fit a lock)

[swolek]

I don't have those brands but wanted to vouch for Animal Plastics, I have a couple and they're awesome cages!

[Jim Smith]

I am also a fan of the ProLine cages from Constrictors Northwest. Very well designed, high quality materials with excellent workmanship. They come unassembled, but it takes less than an hour to assemble a cage. They are also available in three different colors and Ed will make custom size cages for you if you're interested. Ed's also a great guy to do business with.

Jim Smith

[Mikoh4792]

^ and custom backgrounds too.

[Sublimeballs]

The cage will ultimately be for my kalatoa SD retic, but will house my jampea dwarf until the kalatoa gets to size(unless the jamp doesn't get much bigger). I like the boamaster cause I can just go get it, the prolines seem nice. My question with the prolines is since its says they are chemical resistant how well do they seal with silicone?

[formica]

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

The cage will ultimately be for my kalatoa SD retic, but will house my jampea dwarf until the kalatoa gets to size(unless the jamp doesn't get much bigger). I like the boamaster cause I can just go get it, the prolines seem nice. My question with the prolines is since its says they are chemical resistant how well do they seal with silicone?

silicone can be tricky with plastic, you need to find the right type of silicone, HA6 (standard aquarium stuff) will not stick to many types of PVC and HDPE, unless primed, which is a pain to be honest, better to find out exactly what plastic is used and get the right sealant for the job

[Jim Smith]

Ed Lilly uses dovetail joints on all of the ProLine cages. The pieces actually slide together so the "crack" that needs to be sealed is tiny. I used high quality GE silicone and had no problems at all. The amount of silicon that remains in the seam is about the thickness of a pencil line on paper.

[reptocarl]

I own proline and think they are the best because of their dovetailed construction and their hdpe material. Nothing sticks to hdpe and its nonpourous.

[KORBIN5895]

Boaphile has spotty customer service.

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Boaphile has spotty customer service.

I've also heard they're product is questionable nowadays. Seems not many people have experience with the plastic boamasters. I'd love to hear more about them cause it would be $170 cheaper then the proline(more to put into rats,cleaning supplies,ect..), and I can go get it(no waiting a month for my cage. I'd just get a boamaster melamine if it weren't for all the "melamine will not last" statements. But no one seems to have experience with the BM melamine cages soaking up water and warping, just Home Depot melamine diy stuff. Anyone care to comment.

[nick654377]

I have animal plastics. three of them to be exact and im ordering another one within 2 weeks. I highly recommend AP. Just give ali a call and she how she handles your questions over the other company. she rocks.

[Sublimeballs]

I've thought about animal plastics, but they are lower on my list as the shipping puts the price higher then all others and they don't seem to have any advantages over boamasters; aside from the cut out for the heat tape, which is irrelevant as ill be using a RHP.

[Mikoh4792]

Don't boamasters use metal frames inside the enclosure? Does anyone have any experience with them rusting?

[formica]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Don't boamasters use metal frames inside the enclosure? Does anyone have any experience with them rusting?

aluminium from what I have researched, doesn't rust