Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a adult male Ball Python that has gotten a little large for his 30Long that he is in. I would like to upgrade his cage to something that will suit him for the remainder of his lifetime. I am also interested in trying my hand at a slightly more realistic setup- a display vivarium with bioactive substrate.

I've been poking around looking at cages for a little while, and I am considering puchasing a Animal Plastics T12- I like the dimensions the materials, and the sliding front doors. I have a couple of concerns, however. Has anyone used an AP cage for such a setup, and how did it work? Namely, I'm wondering- is the litter dam high enough to get a deep enough substrate layer, and, once assembled, is the construction tight enough to prevent moisture seepage at the bottom?

Thanks- this is my first post here, but I've been lurking for a while and learned quite a bit from the posters here!

Josh

The only cages I have heard of holding a bioactive substrate are Visions. In those cases both keepers have sloped the substrate towards the back to get decent depth but still avoid the front lip.

That's not to say that other cages have not been used.

I have a cage built from 1/2" PVC that I designed for bioactive substrate. I do have a concern that it won't work as is and am deciding what to do to it.

I built mine with a taller lower dam and I'm sure AP could do the same. I'm also considering running some shallower strips front to back to shore things up. Again I'm sure AP could do something similar.

To make things more waterproof I would use a PVC solvent as you assemble the cage, assuming you go with AP. Then use the sealent that comes with the cage.

But you might also see if you can find a used Vision in your area or if there is a distributor nearby.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Chris- Thanks. I had noticed the AP has done some customization, and it had occurred to me to contact them and see if they could make some minor adjustments. I had heard that visions sometimes have sagging issues, and figured that with the increased substrate weight, they might not be the best bet, but I can see how their construction would be ideal for keeping moisture in.

Is your main concern with the 1/2 PVC floor strength? The AP cages use 1/2 CDPVC, and I figured it might hold, but I have very little experience with plastics. I had considered building a plywood enclosure, but the plastic seemed attractive because of the better moisture resistance. With a wood cage, I could always run mini-joists under the floor, which sound like what you are considering with yours- are you running them inside the cage or under?

My lower substrate dam is about 5" tall. I plan to run some 2" strips of PVC on the inside bottom of the cage. Screwed and solvent welded to the inside bottom and front and back of the cage.

My main concern with any of the expanded PVC products, including the CDPVC that AP uses is that it slightly flexible. The bottom will need to remain as flat as possible but I also don't want that lower substrate dam to bow forward and interfere with the sliding doors.

If you do this I also recommend resting the cage on a piece of 2" thick styrofoam so it will settle flat. That foam should also be on a relatively flat surface.

I have used Vision cages but have not used bioactive substrate in them but have loaded them up pretty good. On a flat surface they handle the weight really well.

A friend of mine purchased a bunch of used Vision cages that had been beat up for several years. We set up a long shelf that was fully supported and flat and stacked the Visions up three levels tall. By the next day all of them had settled back into their original shape and the doors worked fine.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

>>My main concern with any of the expanded PVC products, including the CDPVC that AP uses is that it slightly flexible. The bottom will need to remain as flat as possible but I also don't want that lower substrate dam to bow forward and interfere with the sliding doors.

I have to concur with Chris on that one. 1/2" CDPVC is still flexible. The added weight of substrate needs additional support benieth the floor. With stacked cages simple adding a sheet of appropriate sized ply would definitely ad the strength. Of course a solid bottom pedestal is helpful as well.

In most set up's the top of the cage below adds to the strength of the cage above as the weight has to flex both pieces.

Cheers
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile
Specializing in Boa Morph's

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

Would it work to recess the bottom of the cage 1/2 inch up into the front sides and back for a piece of plywood to fit into?

If you went with a face frame design you could simply build the frame 1/2" taller than the cage body and let the extra hang off the bottom to hide the plywood.

I haven't seen the glass track up close yet. How do you guys attach it to the cage?

Sorry, I just remembered that the op was asking about AP cages, didn't mean to get off track.

>>Would it work to recess the bottom of the cage 1/2 inch up into the front sides and back for a piece of plywood to fit into?
>>
>>If you went with a face frame design you could simply build the frame 1/2" taller than the cage body and let the extra hang off the bottom to hide the plywood.
>>
>>I haven't seen the glass track up close yet. How do you guys attach it to the cage?

Lost me Larry...

Are you asking about AP cages on modifications/attachment.

Or general cages, you said you got off track I just wanted to narrow down where.

As far as attaching glass track to enclosures it really depends on the track. I myself just use locktite power grab on my custom enclosures. AP uses #6 wood screws in pre-drilled countersunk holes.

Maybe you should go back the delineation and re-pose your question...

Cheers
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile
Specializing in Boa Morph's

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

Yeah,I went off on a tangent there.

I was referring to a pvc cage built from scratch. Thinking of a way to reinforce the bottom for the weight of the substrate.

Maybe AP can custom build one for the OP.