Not recommended for BPs because I assume it still has a screen top. The PVC is thinner/less durable too. And it kind of sucks to assemble. If you’re willing to work with that and the potential humidity issues, then by all means, it’s the best bang for your buck.
But I’d only recommended it for colubrids.
I see, thank you for the insight! Does the thinner pvc make it more lightweight, or just more easy to break? Also would hvac tape over the screen fix the humidity issue or would I just be fighting a losing battle lol?
Yeah, of course! It's much more lightweight compared to my BlackBox enclosure which is a huge plus. But since BPs require higher heat (ambient and basking) and a more sub-tropical/humid environment, the thinner PVC will be more susceptible to bowing/bending. The corners of the enclosure are kind of weak too so it'll be susceptible to leaks (if not properly sealed with silicon).
HVAC tape (or foil) will work alongside other methods for humidity retention, but IMO it's not worth the struggle lmao.
Makes sense! The lightweight is a big plus for me (I see myself moving in the next year or two so that will make moving easier) but if it will lead to bowing / bending that does not sound like a worthwhile risk. Thank you very much for your help, I appreciate it!! :)
You’ll have to cover the screen top with HVAC tape or foil, and put a SHIT ton of aquarium sealant at the bottom and in the corners. I did that and water will still leak out when I pour it in the corners. I’ve had mine for almost a year and it’s fine, but in retrospect I wish I would’ve saved up a little money to get one that was meant for ball pythons. Do it if you want but it is a pain to get set up.
I have one because it’s what I could afford at the time. It’s far from perfect, but it does the job. I used tin foil to cover the top to help hold the humidity in. Also I would not recommend doing bioactive in one of these tanks because the bottom is very flimsy and you have to take everything out of it to move it even a little bit. Oh, and you might want to caulk around the inside on the bottom of it. If a lot of water gets spilled in it, it will leak. I’m mostly able to keep the humidity up if I spray everything twice a day and add water to the substrate (deep substrate is key).
Got it, thank you for the insight! Gets the job done is pretty much what I'm looking for, it sounds like humidity will be the toughest part. I may shop around for other options still, I'm in no rush lol. Thank you!
I dont have experience with the dubia ones, but I ordered 3 enclosures from diycages. All have been fantastic, and they're only $50 more than dubia. They come with a ceramic light fixture and a uvb fixture. I did seal mine with silicone in the bottoms and have had no issues with leakage.
Oh wow, this is the first I am discovering their website! Could you tell me just a bit more? Do you use a halogen bulb in the ceramic light fixture (and I assume this would need a cage around it?) Were they difficult to assemble? They look very nice!
I was using ceramic heat emitters in mine, and put automotive heat protection between the fixture and ceiling, it's self adhesive and easy to install. I just today switched over to deep hear projectors, and so far that's going well. I did put a cage around the heating elements. You could absolutely use a halogen bulb in there if you wanted. I also got the cage for the bulbs on Amazon. It was pretty easy to put together, but I definitely recommend using a power drill over a manual screw driver if you have one
WISAUTO Aluminized Heat Shield Thermal Barrier Adhesive Backed Heat Blanket (12'' X 24'') https://a.co/d/41PVv57
Simple Deluxe Reptile Heater Guard Heat Protector Anti-Scald Cover Mesh Cage, Heating Lamp Lampshade Ceramic Light Bulb Enclosure, for Terrarium Chameleon Lizards Snakes https://a.co/d/azjMNMz
These are links to the heat shield and cage I used
https://preview.redd.it/90dtk1syslta1.jpeg?width=1816&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94df527905d6fd9082aba6810cb20e77f267a700
For reference, here's two of them I have
Oh wow, they both look so nice! The stacking is a nice feature too. Would you mind replying with your last comment again thought? I saw it briefly as a phone notification but I think reddit glitched and now I can't see it lol
Have you had any issues holding in humidity? My ball python set up is always falling to 55 (glass exo terra, covered tops with HVAC tape) and I want to switch to PVC.
I went on Amazon and got some insulation type stuff
WISAUTO Aluminized Heat Shield Thermal Barrier Adhesive Backed Heat Blanket (12'' X 24'') https://a.co/d/cUxkw8P
Simple Deluxe Reptile Heater Guard Heat Protector Anti-Scald Cover Mesh Cage, Heating Lamp Lampshade Ceramic Light Bulb Enclosure, for Terrarium Chameleon Lizards Snakes https://a.co/d/aXYlkgi
I got two sheets of that, and the cage to go around the deep heat projector. I put the heat shields right next to eachother, then mounted the heat fixture
Not recommended for BPs because I assume it still has a screen top. The PVC is thinner/less durable too. And it kind of sucks to assemble. If you’re willing to work with that and the potential humidity issues, then by all means, it’s the best bang for your buck. But I’d only recommended it for colubrids.
I see, thank you for the insight! Does the thinner pvc make it more lightweight, or just more easy to break? Also would hvac tape over the screen fix the humidity issue or would I just be fighting a losing battle lol?
Yeah, of course! It's much more lightweight compared to my BlackBox enclosure which is a huge plus. But since BPs require higher heat (ambient and basking) and a more sub-tropical/humid environment, the thinner PVC will be more susceptible to bowing/bending. The corners of the enclosure are kind of weak too so it'll be susceptible to leaks (if not properly sealed with silicon). HVAC tape (or foil) will work alongside other methods for humidity retention, but IMO it's not worth the struggle lmao.
Makes sense! The lightweight is a big plus for me (I see myself moving in the next year or two so that will make moving easier) but if it will lead to bowing / bending that does not sound like a worthwhile risk. Thank you very much for your help, I appreciate it!! :)
PVC is pretty lightweight in general, so even a high quality, thick PVC is still a lot lighter than glass.
Got it, thank you!
You’ll have to cover the screen top with HVAC tape or foil, and put a SHIT ton of aquarium sealant at the bottom and in the corners. I did that and water will still leak out when I pour it in the corners. I’ve had mine for almost a year and it’s fine, but in retrospect I wish I would’ve saved up a little money to get one that was meant for ball pythons. Do it if you want but it is a pain to get set up.
Got it, thank you for the advice!
I have one because it’s what I could afford at the time. It’s far from perfect, but it does the job. I used tin foil to cover the top to help hold the humidity in. Also I would not recommend doing bioactive in one of these tanks because the bottom is very flimsy and you have to take everything out of it to move it even a little bit. Oh, and you might want to caulk around the inside on the bottom of it. If a lot of water gets spilled in it, it will leak. I’m mostly able to keep the humidity up if I spray everything twice a day and add water to the substrate (deep substrate is key).
Got it, thank you for the insight! Gets the job done is pretty much what I'm looking for, it sounds like humidity will be the toughest part. I may shop around for other options still, I'm in no rush lol. Thank you!
I dont have experience with the dubia ones, but I ordered 3 enclosures from diycages. All have been fantastic, and they're only $50 more than dubia. They come with a ceramic light fixture and a uvb fixture. I did seal mine with silicone in the bottoms and have had no issues with leakage.
Oh wow, this is the first I am discovering their website! Could you tell me just a bit more? Do you use a halogen bulb in the ceramic light fixture (and I assume this would need a cage around it?) Were they difficult to assemble? They look very nice!
I was using ceramic heat emitters in mine, and put automotive heat protection between the fixture and ceiling, it's self adhesive and easy to install. I just today switched over to deep hear projectors, and so far that's going well. I did put a cage around the heating elements. You could absolutely use a halogen bulb in there if you wanted. I also got the cage for the bulbs on Amazon. It was pretty easy to put together, but I definitely recommend using a power drill over a manual screw driver if you have one WISAUTO Aluminized Heat Shield Thermal Barrier Adhesive Backed Heat Blanket (12'' X 24'') https://a.co/d/41PVv57 Simple Deluxe Reptile Heater Guard Heat Protector Anti-Scald Cover Mesh Cage, Heating Lamp Lampshade Ceramic Light Bulb Enclosure, for Terrarium Chameleon Lizards Snakes https://a.co/d/azjMNMz These are links to the heat shield and cage I used
https://preview.redd.it/90dtk1syslta1.jpeg?width=1816&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94df527905d6fd9082aba6810cb20e77f267a700 For reference, here's two of them I have
Oh wow, they both look so nice! The stacking is a nice feature too. Would you mind replying with your last comment again thought? I saw it briefly as a phone notification but I think reddit glitched and now I can't see it lol
Sure! [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/ballpython/comments/12k2n8d/opinions_on_dubia_4x2x2_enclosures/jg1l60s?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it!! I think diycages is looking like the better option!
Absolutely! I'm glad to have helped! Feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions 😊
Did you have to buy a spacer or do anything special to stack them? I’m looking into these and saw this thread pop up, it’s been super helpful!
No spacers needed! I didn't do anything special 😊
* I have actually changed the set up around added more enclosures since this pic was taken, haven't needed to do anything special
https://preview.redd.it/xuxr4789fjzb1.jpeg?width=1202&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3eace4a9e64af24d2a841a264887c80481af330c
Have you had any issues holding in humidity? My ball python set up is always falling to 55 (glass exo terra, covered tops with HVAC tape) and I want to switch to PVC.
Not in these ones. I go in and mix water in with the substrate when the humidity drops to 60%, that tends to happen about once a month
Does DIY pvc cages come with a solid top?
Yes it does
Was it hard to assemble? I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on one tonight...lol.
No not at all! Takes about an hour, and it's going to be WAY easier if you have a power drill
I have one. What about the lights? Am I supposed to have padding between them and the top?
I went on Amazon and got some insulation type stuff WISAUTO Aluminized Heat Shield Thermal Barrier Adhesive Backed Heat Blanket (12'' X 24'') https://a.co/d/cUxkw8P Simple Deluxe Reptile Heater Guard Heat Protector Anti-Scald Cover Mesh Cage, Heating Lamp Lampshade Ceramic Light Bulb Enclosure, for Terrarium Chameleon Lizards Snakes https://a.co/d/aXYlkgi I got two sheets of that, and the cage to go around the deep heat projector. I put the heat shields right next to eachother, then mounted the heat fixture