55 or 40 for tokay pair

[RadleyMiller]

I don't much about Hogg Islands so I'm not debating what size enclosure is right for them, specifically. But I often lay a towel over most of the screentops of my tanks and I rarely have problems with humidity for my herps. Maybe I'm just lucky; maybe some people are above using their towels for such a lowly purpose...I honestly couldn't say. Like one guy said during that other discussion, it may also have some to do with where in the country you're in.

Fundamentalism is better left to religious groups, Rad. If you don't have good success keeping herps in glass tank, bummer; I'm glad you have the time to biuld your own cages. But I certainly hope you don't feel you're above those of us who have had success with tanks.

Dude, thats not what I'm saying at all. Some of the small stuff can live in a tank, but for monitors, snakes, tegus, and most lizards over 2 feet it is impractical to use a tank. They need lots of room too and tanks that size would be really expensive. Also with custom built cages, you are in control of everything. My friend has a 4 high cage with 3 snake cages and a leopard gecko cage. Everything is very simple but functional. Same with the cage for his boa. It is 6 feet long, about 3 wide, and 3.5 tall, and it matches the room.

Keeping a Boa, Ball python, or beardie in a 55 is just plain cruel. They are just too big.

 

[Ophiuchus]

Dude, thats not what I'm saying at all. Some of the small stuff can live in a tank, but for monitors, snakes, tegus, and most lizards over 2 feet it is impractical to use a tank. They need lots of room too and tanks that size would be really expensive. Also with custom built cages, you are in control of everything. My friend has a 4 high cage with 3 snake cages and a leopard gecko cage. Everything is very simple but functional. Same with the cage for his boa. It is 6 feet long, about 3 wide, and 3.5 tall, and it matches the room.

Keeping a Boa, Ball python, or beardie in a 55 is just plain cruel. They are just too big.

Ok then, I agree that larger tanks are harder to deal with in regards to humidity, heat, and price. But you didn't make your distinction clear earlier, and I just assumed otherwise.

I also agree that custom cages have their advantages, but what happens if your friend has to move. Some massive huge furniture that has 3-4 built-in cages in it would seem harder to move around than 3-4 smaller separate cages (glass tank or not). Or what if he had to get rid of something (Godforbid, but we've all had to give up pets at some point for whatever reason)? Most people don't want to buy something like that, or even go to the effort hauling it off if it was given to them free?


I've also had problems with wood in the past in regards to mite infestations. And for me, its a time factor (I'd rather pay money for something someone else could build a lot better than I could...not to mention, the time I save.).

Overall, like I said in the other forum, this is a hobby, and what works for some doesn't always work for others. An likewise, don't knock others if they're doing something you don't agree with. If it works, and the animals are healthy, then leave it.

 

[RadleyMiller]

He's single and in his 40s, I doubt he is moving anytime soon. The 4 high cage is the second one he has built. He first made one but it turned out to be too small so he just dissasembled it and put it in the garage. As for a cage for a full grow boa, it doesn't matter what it is, it has to be big. Neodesha, vision, herpcages all have really nice cages, but there are always going to be people that love to DIY. It's just in some people to build it themselves. Especially with something like a Tokay, keeping in humidity is important and you will lose a lot of it with a screen top.