• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Cage/Vivarium Custom Vendors

Sindrik8x

Sindrik8x

New member
Do any of you know any decent custom vivarium/cage vendors that build heating into the actual set up?

Not looking at a cornsnake set-up here, but maybe a blue tongued skink. My kid and I were looking at pictures last night, read a care sheet or two and were curious after seeing all the neat set-ups, if people are just making these as hobbyist's/DIY style or if they are buying them.

We also have cats so we are looking for all heat to be built in (lamp, uv, etc.). How much would a set-up for an adult sized skink run with the proper elements included? Estimates?

Just thinking out loud for future purposes to set aside money (maybe a purchase for next year). Trying to branch out and learn.
 
Most enclosure vendors will do heating too. Some advertise it, others you can just communicate via email, but most I've come across will provide it if desired. Not sure what size you're needing so I can't just start throwing vendor names out there. But I can say that most of the big name vendors will do custom sizes and setups if you let them know what you need.

A quick search, Animal Plastics offers what appears to be a flexwatt heating option, and Boaphiles will do free installs of radiant heat panels if ordered with the cage.
 
Seems these BTS, most use heat lamps (in fact almost all I've read). I've tried enclosure searches for over an hour today and couldn't find many that discuss this or advertise. Maybe I just stink at searches though. They gotta be out there, as you say.
 
I have a Showcase Cages 48 x 24 x 18. It's expensive, but nice. There is a VERY safe recessed drop-down lamp holding area, that the light/CHE, in its hood, can sit right on. Additionally, along the front of the cage, the whole length, there is a narrow metal mesh slot for fluorescent lighting.
 
Most use heat lamps because they require UVB light, and some (but not all) use mercury vapor bulbs, which provide both heat and UVB rays.

I am actually setting up a BTS enclosure myself :) to be honest, I think it is cheaper to design it yourself. I don't mean build the whole thing, but for example: I bought a used PVC enclosure, 48"x24"x12" -- needs some TLC -- and will cut out a section in the top and attach a metal mesh lid so I can rest one or two heat lamps on top.

Luckily I found the vive for $90 and talked the guy down to $80. With the added materials of the mesh lid, acrylic front, hinges, and locks (because it all needs to be replaced) I am looking at around $135. I bought a brand new PVC enclosure of the similar size (48"x24"x16") in January, on sale, for $225. Plus, I don't feel bad about "customizing" a used vive ;)

I hope you can find what you're looking for. If not, I suggest creating your own! You can always do glass tanks as well, but... ya.

All the best! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top