I think I've decided to go with the Vision model #322 as opposed to a glass aquarium.”



I’m assuming you’ve ruled out Rubbermaid-type containers which have their own benefits/drawbacks. I think just about any reptile cage is better than a glass aquarium for a ball python. I use 24”, 36”, 48” and 54” Visions for housing single and multiple ball pythons. I prefer the Model 332 over the 322 for the extra depth.



“First of all, is there any certain brand of untertank heater that you would recommend for use with the Vision cages? I'm assuming there's a slot for the UTH inside the back of the Vision systems?”



I use Ultratherm brand UTH’s as well as Pro Products overhead heat panels to heat my Vision cages. I’m still not sure which heat source I prefer for ball pythons. This is only my second year using heat panels; I’ve been using various under-cage heaters for many years. I really like the Ultratherms (available through the Bean Farm) because they’re very sturdy and I didn’t want to mess with Flexwatt connectors. You can lay the cage on top of the Ultratherm or tape it to the back or sides of the cage. Make sure you get some sort of heat controller. Big Apple and Helix market respected proportional thermostats, but there are cheaper (but not as effective) solutions like lamp dimmers



“do I have to worry about a young (hatchling) BP crawling out the space between the two sliding glass panels? I've heard there is a lock available for the cages. Does this prevent escapes and/or entry by children, etc?”



No, a hatchling ball python cannot fit between the space between the two glass doors, BUT some most definitely can figure out how to slide one of the doors open (I don’t know about their capacity for reasoning, but I look at it like the monkey, the typewriter and the plays of Shakespeare). And once they DO accomplish this task, it’s like they never forget where to keep probing to make that door open again. Cutting a wooden dowel to fit in each of the two tracks will stop the break-outs; a cage door lock will have the added benefit of preventing break-ins.



-Joan

[ Hide Replies ]

• Questions about Vision cages, substrate, etc. - nekomi, Sat Dec 6 19:53:32 2003
• Oops, forgot to include the link... - nekomi, Sat Dec 6 19:55:36 2003
• RE: Oops, forgot to include the link... - tdr, Sat Dec 6 20:31:39 2003
• Substrate - jfmoore, Sat Dec 6 20:59:52 2003
• Vision Cages - jfmoore, Sat Dec 6 21:44:32 2003
• RE: Vision Cages - MDK, Thu Dec 11 01:18:16 2003