Enclosure question

[Mobius]

So after debating internally for what felt like months I have finally decided to get myself a Blue Tongue Skink. I found a breeder who should have his babies ready to go by mid-late June, but I am going to get everything set up before then.
The biggest question I have is what do you guys recommend for an enclosure.
I currently have a 48"x18" iron stand meant for a fish tank. However, I will probably be selling that so that I can get a 120g (48"x24") fish tank for some big fish that I am currently raising. So I want to place the skinks tank on the bottom of the stand as I am currently a bit pressed for space in my room, and that is the only place it can go for the foreseeable future. I am not a handy person, so building an enclosure is pretty much out of the question for me. So I just want to know what you guys would recommend for me to buy, preferably something that's not a fish tank.
I had considered an exo terra, but I find 36"x18" to be a bit small for something that will grow to almost 2 feet. Would any of you recommend some brand name cages like a Vision or Boa Master, or would I be better off having someone custom make it for me? Someone referred me to a custom enclosure builder called Hartmanns Herps, but I just want to check all my options before I decide on something.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! I just want to make sure I have a good setup for my bts once I finally get it within the next month or two.

[donkeybuff]

Vision, Showcase, Boamaster, and Boaphile are great brands to check out. There are many others that aren't coming to my mind right now.

[Susann]

Here are a few:

http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-majesticreptile.aspx
http://www.showcasecages.com/
http://monster-cages.com/home.php
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/
http://www.npicages.com/
http://pvccages.com/
http://centexreptilecages.com/
http://www.customwoodreptilecages.com/

I myself have Showcase cages. Love them!

[Mobius]

Ok great, these tanks look very nice. Now do they just have one hole for a lheat light? Or do they also have a way to put in a fluorescent tube? I know it seems like a silly question, but I have no experience with setting up any sort of animal tanks outside of fish tanks.

[saisaac]

Any of the above options are great. Keep in mind that there is a huge price range depending on the manufacturer and materials. Some 4ftx2fts can be bought for around $200 where as others will be $400 or more. At the end of the day, you want as much space as you can afford and an enclosure that you can heat appropriately and maintain the proper humidity for the subspecies you aqcuire. You'll need hides, an appropriate substrate, and a basking spot, but everything else is a matter of personal preference.

I have always liked the looks of some of the black ABS/PVC cages on the market. They look very slick and easy to clean. I know you said you are not too hand but building one is really not to hard and is more affordable. Tool wise all you really need is a drill. The hardware store can cut everything to size for you. Then you just screw and glue the pieces together.

[Susann]

Now do they just have one hole for a lheat light? Or do they also have a way to put in a fluorescent tube?

Does what have just one hole?
They are all different. Some have one, some have two, some have more.

[Mobius]

Now do they just have one hole for a lheat light? Or do they also have a way to put in a fluorescent tube?

Does what have just one hole?
They are all different. Some have one, some have two, some have more.

Sorry, what I meant to ask is how many cutouts on the top do these tanks tend to have; 1,2 etc? Or do I just have to manually cut out the holes for my lights and fixtures myself? I'm assuming not, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23238

[Susann]

Awesome ML, I was looking for that earlier.

They are all different, you just have to read each manufacturer's specifications. But generally they come with whatever spot that lights are supposed to go in.

[Mobius]

Awesome ML, I was looking for that earlier.

They are all different, you just have to read each manufacturer's specifications. But generally they come with whatever spot that lights are supposed to go in.

Ok thank you for that. I definitely appreciate all the help everyone has given me in this matter.