Which Brand Is Best?

toddnbecka · 03-03-16, 02:06 AM

Having finally emptied the two 90 gallon aquariums I'll be moving those out soon to make way for stackable 4x2 enclosures. I tried building my own, but have since we're so busy at work I really don't have the spare time or ambition to build 10 more of them myself.
So, now I'm scratching my head and wondering which manufacturer builds the better product. I"ve seen some commercial products at the show that looked to be partially built from something like heavy cardboard. Not sure what brand those were, but not something I'd put my hard-earned money into. Looking at pics online doesn't really tell me much about the quality of the materials.
Considering it will cost a couple thousand + shipping I want something that's going to hold up over the long haul.

MDT · 03-03-16, 05:21 AM

TnB, i found myself in a similar situation (and the fact i just wanted nice looking enclosures)...i think i looked at pretty much most of the main players out there and ended up choosing Animal Plastics. i have been extremely pleased. they are very well constructed, easy to assemble, easy to clean, etc. i have 9 of them, 5 of the "carpet cages" and 4 of the T-3's. so...that's my input. i think you'd be pleased w them. maybe someone with boaphile, or other brand can weigh in and give you their take on other products. best of luck in your purchase

**EL Ziggy** · 03-03-16, 06:27 AM

I'm a big fan of AP cages as well. I have 4 of them with plans for 3 more. They're very well built, the customer service was great, and the prices are pretty good. Boaphile, Constrictors NW, and PVC cages make nice products as well.

jpsteele80 · 03-03-16, 10:02 AM

I like AP's as well, i have my green tree in a pvc cage and its good a good cage to, just as long as your snake is doing good that's all that matters

IW17 · 03-03-16, 12:23 PM

They're all good companies, but in my opinion animal plastics wins. They deliver in both quality and overall cost. My t8 enclosures came to a total of $210 each with led lights and locks. Freight shipping was $180 for five. Plus these are quick ship so you should have them in a few weeks.

riddick07 · 03-05-16, 03:20 PM

I just ordered three more AP cages, two t8s and one t12. I do like my A20 that came in obviously! I wished it had glass doors though since I'm finding the higher humidity is warping the acrylic doors a bit. I'll probably contact them about getting glass doors for it I hear their customer service is great so I'll see on that one soon!

**Minkness** · 03-05-16, 04:08 PM

From what I'm hearing and seeing, I may end up with AP T3s as well. I am waiting to hear back from an email I sent regarding the placement of the lights.

toddnbecka · 03-05-16, 10:53 PM

I ran across a post on the fauna classifieds, someone in NJ builds them from high-impact polystyrene. Prices are similar, but only one style of door, and I'm leaning toward AP's with sliding glass. Shipping is going to cost as much as one of the cages, but it's a 13 hour drive one way so I won't be picking them up myself.

**Minkness** · 03-05-16, 11:48 PM

Yeah, if I decide to go with them, I will be saving up for a largeorder. I have aloooot of animals as it is, and plan on more. And since I am OCD about uniformity, I will want to get them from the same place. It may be next year though. Well see.

=)

REM955 · 03-06-16, 12:52 AM

My two cents about AP:
As of late, they were suffering a material shortage. They were indeed prompt about letting me know this when I inquired.
I had also failed to mention that RBI was going to drop ship them a Radiant Heat Panel. Wednesday I got a call asking if I had one and they offered to hold off on shipping so they could pre-fit it into the ceiling of the cage. I should be seeing it this week sometime.

TL;DR; Great customer service.

FYI - This is for a single T20 with glass doors.