Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everybody,
although I am sure that the following question has been probably asked a million times and answered in a million different ways, I am still not satisfied with the answers I found online in different forums and/or web sites. So here's my dilemma.

I would like to buy 3 or 4 (haven't made up my mind yet) cages. I prefer plastic because of its ease of cleaning (mainly), looks, simplicity, weight, and easiness of holding humidity and heat. I have researched different brands and makers and have narrowed my choices down to Visions and Boaphiles, the main two reasons being size that I like availability and price.

I currently have a Royal python and a Dumerils Boa. I am planning in the not so distant future to acquire a Common BCI or a Suriname BCC and an albino Royal after that.

What I found were the Vision 332 model for the Royals and the Vision 422 for the Boas.
Either that or the Boaphile 322D for the Royals and Boaphile 422D for the boas.

So based on experience, especially if you happened to own both, which one do you prefer?

Based on price, ease of access to the inside of the cage, and heating I prefer the Boaphiles.
Based on looks, ease of cleanliness (rounded corners), stacking, and option to add an overhead ceramic lamp if needed I prefer the Visions.

I would like to hear and see if possible via pictures, your comments as well so that I can make my decision.

Please note that I currently do not live in the States (moved 5 years ago to Cyprus) and thus will be shipping the cages via shipping container. This will cost a lot of money (estimated to at least $1400 total for 3 cages) so I want to make the "best" decision for such a huge investment.

Thank you all in advance.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python

Check out Animal Plastics. I love mine!

How and where is the belly heat installed and secured into place in these cages? Do you have any pictures of your AP cages?
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python

LOL I don't have any YET though. I have tub racks at the moment but hopefully by the end of the year after I buy my boas for the year I will pick some up cuz some will be breeding in '10. On their site is says

Belly Heat is our most popular heating option. The cable is routed into the shelves about 1/3 of the way in from the back of the shelf

so that is telling that they routed the inside of the cage out (1/2 plastic) and this cable is a great product and I forget what else it is used for but it is an inferior product by no means (no hot spots etc...) So you will run your temp. probe from your thermostat and mount it directly on the heat with rubber silicone or I'm sure there are other options. Great product that I've heard and read nothing but good about. They may have better looking ones available but you need something to hold up to abuse and function flawless cuz buying cages a second time is not for me. hope it helps
Bob

After an off-line discussion with one of the forumers, I looked into the Pro-line cages as well. They come out pretty cheap as compared to the rest and look good overall. Does anyone have any comments on these?
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python

The picture I posted earlier of the 3 white cages, the top one was Proline.

The HDPE is incredibly easy to keep clean. Very smooth. It is also an FDA approved plastic used in the food industry. Won't stain either. Stronger than PVC, and denser. Does not emit halogen gases or carcinogens should it be subject to fire. It is self extinguishing just like PVC, but PVC will off-gas during that process.

Cage strength comparison done by Ed Lilley. The manufacturer of Proline cages. He used to make PVC cages, and did a strength test for one made out of 1/4" PVCx, and one made from 1/4" HDPE. Both cages had the exact same design. These are his pics.

The last pic shows stains in the cage made from extruded PVC. This occurs because PVCx is absorbent and a foamed plastic. Density also plays into it.

CDPVC doesn't stain, HDPE doesn't stain. But the PVCx that most companies use does.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

I did a lot of research on this a while back myself. I think the biggest determining factor is you snake room and your individual preference. I keep my snake room at 78-80 degrees and the humidity at least 50%. I think the only significant drawback for the Vision cages is that they do not hold heat and humidity as well as AP or boaphile – but they allow for better circulation of fresh air. In my opinion they are by far the best looking cages and the most durable. If I was going to try to be a big time breeder size might be more of an issue, but I’m never going to have more that 25 snakes and they will all be either BCC or Silverbacks. The Vision cages work best for those size animals as adults (model 322, 400, 422, 432, or 622) in my situation.

I will say I don't think you would be going wrong if you went with animal plastic. I after some great feedback from others on the forum I almost went down that road. But my previous experience with Vision cages, the look of the cage, and the customer support I've received in the past put Vision over the top for me.

Good luck in deciding. Compared to 20 years ago when I got my first boa the options in cages is light years better.

I would agree, both the room climate, as well as personal preference goes into a lot of what is best.

AP does offer custom venting options though. Free of charge.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

Well, I am not a breeder and not planning in becoming one. I just want to keep 5-6 different snakes at any point in time. Unfortunately I don't have a snake room per se, but the snakes are located in a part of the house with minimal traffic and some control over the ambient temperatures (meaning that the area is not controlled in itself in terms of temperatures but is affected by a nearby room).

And looks do play a big part in my decision since I'm just a hobbyist and not a professional breeder.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python

PM sent

Boaphiles for me for all my cages 4ft and under including racks. Jeff has great customer skills. For my larger boas over 7ft I use 6ft visions. The other option is you make your own out of melamine.

FWIW, I don't have any experience with any of the other cages mentioned. I only have the Animal Plastic cages. I decided to go with these after much research.
What I can tell you is that they fit together incredibly well, customer service is outstanding. They hold heat and humidity extremely well, and they are very well ventilated. They are 1/2" thick construction and seem very durable.
This is my first venture into "custom cages." I kept Bcc yrs ago and used home built units which worked OK, but were no where near as appealing or as functional as these AP cages. I used to have a hard time keeping humidity levels up here in Az, but no more.
I recently decided to get back into keeping Bcc after yrs of keeping and breeding colubrids, crotes, and lichanura. The options that are available today are incredible compared to yrs gone by. You probably couldn't go wrong with any of the aforementioned cages, but for my money...I'm very satisfied with the AP cages. Yes, you should seal the joints, but they send you plenty of silicone sealer! And as mentioned, they are shipped flat, completely broken down and well packed on a pallet. They go together effortlessly, and in only a few minutes with a screw driver.
Good luck to you!
Cheers, Bill

what did you go with the sliding doors or the swing doors??? thanks
Bob

I went with the sliding glass. I almost "cheaped out" and went with the sliding plexi to save a few bucks, but after talking on the phone with Ali of AP (great gal!) I decided to go with the glass. It was Ali's recommendation to go with the glass after she asked what type of snake I was going to be housing. She stated that an animal with the strength of Bcc could push and flex the the plexi to the point the animal could escape, so glass was the choice.
Personal preferance for the sliders, I never considered the swing out doors.
FWIW, I went with the black cages. Bcc being the reclusive animals that they are, I figured they would feel more secure with the dark, black cages.
Cheers, Bill

Bill and Chris Gilbert also went with the sliders. Why not I think the doors look coollol Glass is a great choice and plexi may tend to disfigure slightly after years of heat abuse where as glass is well glass. Black is awesome and why did Chris go with white (j/k Chris) but my cb110 racks I'm about to build and they will be white melamine but the cages will definately be black. thanks again
Bob

I don't need lights to see into the cages. I hang a sheet over them during breeding to give them more privacy.

I had black with the boaphiles, but I really like white more. Personal preference really. I don't think the boas much care.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

White would also make it easier to spot mites if you happened to bring some in somehow.

Have had Visions in the past. Will be getting Boaphiles soon.
Currently have AP's just like Bill's and agree with him on all points. They don't move or wiggle one little bit. Same qualities as the melamine and osb types, but made of plastic, so none of the issues.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Check these guys out. I love them so far. Well built cages.

http://reptilebasics.com/Reptile-Cages-p-1-c-257.html

Prices include shipping too. Always a plus.

RBI_Plastics