Finally... \"Boaphile Plastics\" Arboreal Caging!!!

Boaphile · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 01:42 AM

Here is a shot of the entire cage:

Another angle showing the fully adjustable side vents:

A shot of the interior of the cage:

Here is a close-up of the side vent:

A vent with the door removed entirely:

The two vents of course are totally independent of each other for maximum flexibility of air flow.

This particular cage is 2' wide at the front, 18" deep front to back and 17 1/2" high. I have made three other sizes as well. Haven't calculated pricing yet but wanted to get the first photographs out as soon as possible. I just wish I had a GREEN snake to put in this thing for the best possible photograph. It's all great fun!

Jeff Ronne
The Boaphile
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Bry · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 01:54 AM

The cage looks awesome, Jeff. I especially like the vent idea with the doors. When are you gonna make me one of 'em 3' or 4' wide, 2' tall cages for my JCP? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Bry
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Squirgle · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 01:56 AM

Those look Awesome...but what about perches? I'm not familiar with your cages, so, is it ok for drilling holes for the perches or what?
Squirgle
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eddie · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 02:05 AM

Yeah, what about adding factory perch holders for dowel rod or plastic rod?
Be a lot better than having people void the warranty and ruin the cage by cutting and drilling!

Something of a horse shoe shaped hoop on both sides in a couple of areas would be great!

I'll even draw the plans, patent them and take a percentage off the sales for ya!

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Squirgle · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 02:09 AM

Great idea Eddie...That would be way better than having to drill. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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eddie · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 02:14 AM

Hehe, I like the me getting a cut part too!
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Ophiophagus-hannah · #7 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 07:17 PM

Very nice! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
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Johnny801 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 07:47 PM

It's about freakin' time!!!!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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telefrag · #9 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 08:45 PM

do you have any plans for a cutaway on top for a basking lamp, or did I miss it?
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Bry · #10 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 08:51 PM

It's possible, but I think the Jeffster wants to keep cages stackable.

Bry
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BadKarma · #11 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 09:36 PM

Oh great thanx Jeff now I have to get some of those and do a review on them to. Joe is gonna be hounding me to get him a rack of those bad boys to. You aren't helping me save money here. You know everytime you come up with sometheing like this Joe has to have it. He's had me searching for arboreal cages. I agree with everyone that you need to add some perches or perch holders, and maybe misting systems as well. what are the other sizes you have built? I would like to keep everything in 6' stacks like the rack of classics I got from you. Anyway keep up the killer work. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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XzyluM · #12 (**permalink**) 07-28-2002, 10:31 PM

Very nice design and cage Jeff. Looking forward to ordering some cages from you soon.
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Boaphile · #13 (**permalink**) 07-29-2002, 02:43 AM

Perches are this week. I just bought all the materials. Have been thinking it through for months and now just have to put my plan into action. Multiple diameter perches will be available all mounting on the same bracket that will prevent spinning. The perches will not be heated though. Could not think of a safe way to do that one...

I recommend radiant heat panels not heat lamps for a couple reasons. With a light over a screen opening it is impossible to maintain any level of humidity if you are not living in the humid deep south which most people are not. A light on top of the cage will not allow stacking the cages which of course all of my cages and racks stack without any additional shelving. A light can just plane be dangerous. What if your toddler sneaks into the room and somehow manages to bump or nudge the light ONTO to plastic and off the screen? Hhummm... What is an escapee moves the light or knocks it onto the floor? Stuff happens and safety if foremost in my mind when designing my cages and racks systems. I want YOU and your herps safe and sound. As of right now the only light I am recommending is a florescent light for lighting not heating.

Oh I almost forgot... The perches? Plastic of course. And the color? Black! What else!

Thanks for the comments and questions! Keep them coming!

Jeff Ronne
The Boaphile
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Ed_r · #14 (**permalink**) 07-29-2002, 02:47 AM

Awesome Jeff Whats the lead time on One of these too? Im looking to expand my Ammie colection soon. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Jeff. Just went to the website. Are they on there yet?

_________________
Reptiles are like Pokemon... Gotta catch em all!!!

Drax · #15 (**permalink**) 07-29-2002, 03:14 AM

yippie! arboreal cages! that looks great! what are the other sizes? i'd like to get two for my carpets for when they get older. i'm thinking maybe 2 deep x 3 (or 2.5) high x 4 long. i'd much rather have someone else build it cause i know i'll mess it up.

any ideas on pricing? just a ball park figure would help out....
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morti · #16 (**permalink**) 07-29-2002, 10:22 PM

All in good time my friends. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Just getting him to go ahead and build one of the silly things has taken a LONG time... I am sure it will be like all of Jeff's other products. He won't release it until it is perfect in every way.

-Your Sick Uncle Morti... Who also wants one.
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Boaphile · #17 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 04:55 PM

Several answers here. Yes colors are possible but will be more expensive. White and gray will be the same price as black but other colors will be $50 more per cage. Also the brackets that will hold the little sliding vent doors must be either black or white. Sliding glass doors will not be used as the hinged door is fundamental to the structure of the cage. The downward swinging door is fundamental to the functionality of the cages structure and stability. A door hinged on the side would eventually start to force the cage to twist or warp reducing the functionality of the cage itself. This would not be good. So the door must swing downward. Plexiglas is a must vs. glass as glass is dangerous. Too heavy and if breakage occurs someone can be hurt. The most important things I consider in the design of any of my cages or racks are the following:

1. The safety of the keeper. Heating and lighting that will afford the least chance of a problem such as fire which is obviously very very important.
2. The safety of the herp. Again the design is such that the likelihood of harm to the animals is as minimal as possible starting with not using a rock hard glass door that will be stuck occasionally right down to recommended heating systems that give the lowest likelihood of overheating your animals.
3. Long term functionality of the product you will be using for years to come.

I do not have pricing information as of yet but do have a total of four different sized cages built so far. The list below are the sizes I built. The first is the one pictured above.

Length (Left to right) X Depth (Front to back) X Height

23 1/2" X 18" X 18"
23 1/2" X 18" X 24"
35 1/2" X 18" X 18"
35 1/2" X 18" X 24"

I am somewhat limited as far as size because of the limitation placed on shipping via FedEx ground or UPS. The last cage is right at the limit. Please keep in mind that there is packaging that must be wrapped around cages when being shipped. A total girth plus length of 130" can't be exceeded without incurring huge shipping charges which will increase the pricing of product.

I am working on the pricing as well as figuring the perch situation right now. I have the perch thing figured out but have to actually make my jigs and what not to begin doing a bunch of them.

A couple other items:

I plan on offering a side to side pass through option allowing the easy connection of two cages to facilitate the introduction of two animals to each other with handling being necessary. Access to the cage for misting and or feeding will also be possible through this sort of pass through without opening a large door. I am also working on a slide out tray. This is complicated and something I am struggling with a bit right now figuring not only how to do these various options but how to do them as economically as possible.

Thanks for the questions. I will follow up shortly. I have to have these things worked through completely and ready a week before the big snake party in Daytona so I am under the gun to get going.

Thanks again!

Jeff Ronne
The Boaphile
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Squirgle · #18 (**permalink**) 08-01-2002, 12:11 AM

Man, I am SO buying two of those. Hmm...actually. What is your rack system for them going to be like? If I could get a way of getting (eventually) six of the 23 1/2 X 18 X 24 cages on one rack it would be Perfect. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] But then again, they are stackable so a rack wouldn't be necessary other than to get them off the floor. AnyHOW, let us know about any rack plans please [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Squirgle

morti · #19 (**permalink**) 08-14-2002, 11:25 AM

Squirgle, I know... I'm late, but you got it in one. Why go with a rack when you can just stack?

That is what I keep saying anyway.

-Your Sick Uncle Morti.
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scarlettrose2006 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-14-2002, 03:05 PM

I dunno.....stacking such lightweight (snakes won't be heavy, either) cube shaped cages on top of each other invites for accidentaly bumping one down....won't take much....even if you have 3 or more next to each other and then stack some on top...they are still very lightweight (from the looks) and if you bump into one it could go flying off.
I think i'd still like the option of a rack, or get shelfing myself.
how would you go about adding a fluorescent light? Mine don't get very hot, but they do get hot, and they would have to be away from the perches (and unaccessable for the snake). It seems like that would take a lot of room away from the inside of the cage.
I would still like to see the option of a screen cut out top, for people that would like a light, and don't need to stack.....(they can always stack anyway, if they decide to later on, but they would have more choices)
I just think that arboreal snakes are usually display animals, and its a joy to look at them, which would be kind of hard in a black cage with black dowels. I would like to see them be available with lighting already installed (all but the bulb, of couse) in a way to where the snake can't come in contact with the light strip.
Yes, i am demanding.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

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