Every Apex Reptile Modular PVC Enclosure Option & Customization Explained
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Front Door Options:
Single Swing Down Door:
Works Well With:
- Reptiles that are comfortable with movement around their enclosure
- Enclosures placed higher off the ground
- Non-frequently opening enclosures or where heat/humidity loss is less of an issue
Who Is This For:
- Keepers who prefer a large, unobstructed opening for maintenance and interaction
- Reptiles that don't require frequent, quick access
Tips:
- For larger and stronger reptiles, we recommend adding flat panel clips/tabs for extra protection for your reptile on the outside of your doors, you can get these at your local hardware store.
Double Swing Door:
Works Well With:
- Any reptile would do well with these doors as they balance keeping the animal feeling safe while still visible and functional for the keeper
- Reptile residents who are shy when there is movement outside their enclosure
- Stronger reptile residents
Who Is This For:
- Keepers who prefer to open one side of the enclosure at a time (Example: Letting out less environment when frequently opening, safer feeding time etc)
- Keepers who potentially want to add a divider between the two doors to separate enclosure
- Enclosures that require frequent, quick access
Swing Out vs Down:
Swing Out is great for:
- Enclosure is closer to ground and there is no clearance for the door to swing down
- Perfect for the free roaming friends
- Spicy meal time residents, if food bringers need to be able to close the door quicker
Swing Down is great for:
-
- Enclosures higher above ground so door can hang down (these are fine stacked on top of other enclosures with normal use)
- Keepers who prefer ‘more clearance’ with the enclosure doors open
Tips:
- Open one door for routine tasks and both for deep cleaning or rearranging
Sliding Door:
Note: Apex Reptile now only has sliding doors available as a custom order. We truly believe in our signature swing doors and so do our keepers, but if you'd like to order sliding doors and still get the modular benefits of an Apex Reptile enclosure, please email hello@apexreptile.com
Works Well With:
- Enclosures in tight spaces where swing doors might be impractical
- Enclosures that are going to be used with real glass
Who Is This For:
- Larger geckos, lizards and snakes (Small lizards and snakes can get stuck between door panes due to curiosity and large snakes will also feel the air gap in the sliding doors and keep try to push out)
- Keepers who need to access the enclosure in confined spaces
- Reptiles that are more comfortable with louder opening of their habitat
Tips:
- Regularly clean debris and lubricate tracks to ensure smooth operation
- Be mindful of potential pinch points when closing the doors
- Consider adding a lock or additional security measure to prevent accidental opening
Top Options:
Solid Top:
A clean look and a contained enclosure, ready for stacking another reptile forever home on top if you’d like. Mount fixtures directly to the panel with screws and use the provided wire pockets for exiting wires on all four sides.
Works Well With:
- Ceramic bulb fixtures that are in a metal bracket, metal bracket attaches to the PVC and the ceramic socket itself “floats”
- Flat ceramic fixtures with an extra PVC spacer between the fixture and the enclosure top
- UVB light bars mounted with brackets directly to the panel
- LED light bards mounted with brackets directly to the panel
- Radiant heat panels mounted directly to the panel
Who Is This For:
- Environments that are hard to maintain with screen top ventilation (medium to high range heat and humidity levels, high to very levels need more ventilation to go with it)
- Ideal for lizards and non climbers since heat & light is mounted inside (Can still be used for snakes if safety precautions are taken for heating elements, such as extra caging)
- Keepers wanting to stack enclosures without a stacking hood in between
- Keepers who prefer everything contained inside the enclosure and not accessible on the outside (Think other household pets)
Tips:
- Always use extra caging around heating and lighting elements that are inside the enclosure, especially if housing a snake
- We recommend using brackets instead of glue-on options for a more secure attachment
- Add heat absorbing materials like wood and rock inside the enclosure to help with temperatures
Half Screen:
A balanced option offering both ventilation and heat retention. The screen portion allows for external mounting of dome lights and UVB fixtures, while the solid section provides space for internal mounting. Ideal for enclosures requiring moderate airflow and humidity control.
Works Well With:
- Dome heat/light fixtures that sit on top of the screen
- Environments that need more ventilation
- Short UVB fixture or UVB fixture that can attach on the inside of the enclosure, if using a longer one
Who Is This For:
- Enclosures that require a balance between ventilation and heat/humidity retention
- Keepers who want to keep some fixtures outside the enclosure while having internal space for others
- Ideal for reptile residents like snakes that like to fumble with anything within their reach
Tips:
- Place heat-emitting fixtures on the screen portion
- Mount larger UVB lights using brackets inside the enclosure directly to the lid, to maximize effectiveness
- Monitor humidity levels closely and adjust misting or fogger use as needed
Full Screen:
Maximum ventilation and external fixture mounting. The full screen top allows for all heating and lighting to be placed outside the enclosure, making it perfect for arid species or environments needing high airflow. Ideal for keepers who prefer external equipment placement and easy access.
Works Well With:
- Dome heat & light fixtures that sit directly on top of the screen
- UVB light bars that will also sit on top of screen, outside the enclosure
- Environments that require maximum ventilation
Who Is This For:
- Enclosures that need high levels of airflow and ventilation
- Reptiles from arid environments that require lower humidity levels
- Keepers who prefer to mount all lighting and heating fixtures outside the enclosure
Tips:
- Monitor temperature and humidity closely, as full screen tops can lead to rapid heat and moisture loss
- Consider using a higher wattage for heating elements to compensate for heat escape
- Use a hygrometer to ensure proper humidity levels are maintained
- For species requiring higher humidity, consider using a partial cover or humidity box within the enclosure
- Ensure all external fixtures are securely mounted to prevent accidental falls into the enclosure
- Do not use PVC as substrate, always place something on the floor of the enclosure, especially under heating elements
Substrate Height Options:
Low Substrate:
Designed for residents that don't require deep substrate. This option maximizes vertical space and is suitable for species that prefer solid surfaces or spend most of their time on branches. Easy to clean and maintain, it's great for some arboreal species or terrestrial species that don't burrow.
Low Substrate: About 2” in an Apex Reptile enclosure
Works Well With:
- Reptiles that don't require deep substrate for burrowing
- Species that prefer a more solid surface for movement
- Enclosures where maximizing vertical space is a priority
Who Is This For:
- Reptiles that spend most of their time on branches or climbing surfaces
- Keepers who prefer easier cleaning and maintenance
Tips:
- Seal enclosure on the inside on the bottom seams with 100% silicone
- Do not rely on the PVC to be your only substrate, still cover the floor of the enclosure with something (Paper towel, newspaper as a minimum)
- Use a substrate that's easy to spot clean and replace
- Consider adding more climbing structures to utilize vertical space
- Monitor humidity closely, as less substrate can mean quicker moisture loss
Medium Substrate:
The most versatile choice suitable for a wide range of species. This substrate height offers a good balance between burrowing depth and vertical space. It's perfect for terrestrial, semi-arboreal species and those that enjoy some digging. Great for bioactive setups or naturalistic environments.
Medium Substrate: About 4” in an Apex Reptile enclosure
Works Well With:
- A wide range of reptile species, great general level substrate height to use whether you’re using substrate or not
- Enclosures requiring a balance between substrate depth and vertical space
- Bioactive setups
Who Is This For:
- Most terrestrial species
- Reptiles that engage in some digging
- Keepers looking for a versatile substrate depth
Tips:
- Seal enclosure on the inside on the bottom seams with 100% silicone
- Do not rely on the PVC to be your only substrate
- Use substrate that works well with the habitat you’re aiming to maintain as it can play a large role in the heat & humidity levels
High Substrate:
Optimal for burrowing species and complex bioactive setups. This option provides ample depth for root systems and allows reptiles to engage in natural digging behaviors. It's ideal for terrestrial species and those requiring high humidity environments.
High Substrate: About 8” in an Apex Reptile enclosure
Works Well With:
- Burrowing species
- Complex bioactive setups with deep root systems
- Reptiles that require high humidity environments
Who Is This For:
- Terrestrial species like certain snakes, monitors, or tortoises
- Reptiles that naturally burrow or create tunnels
- Keepers aiming to create a highly naturalistic habitat
Tips:
- Seal enclosure on the inside on the bottom seams with 100% silicone
- Use a mix of substrates to create layers that mimic natural soil composition
- Install a drainage layer at the bottom to prevent water stagnation
- Monitor for hidden waste or uneaten food that may be buried in the substrate
Side Window Options
No Side Windows:
Provides maximum privacy and environmental control. Solid sides are perfect for shy or easily stressed species, and for enclosures requiring precise temperature and humidity management. Ideal for mounting internal equipment and creating a secure habitat.
Works Well With:
- Species that prefer privacy or are easily stressed by movement
- Enclosures requiring more temperature and humidity retention
- Setups where you want to maximize usable interior wall space
Who Is This For:
- Shy or nocturnal species
- Reptiles in high-traffic areas that might get stressed by constant visibility
- High humidity/heat species
Tips:
- Utilize the solid walls for mounting heat panels or other equipment
- Consider adding internal lighting to improve visibility without compromising privacy
- Use the front viewing area as the primary observation point
One Side Window:
Offers a balance between visibility and privacy. One side window allows for observation from an additional angle while maintaining some solid wall space for equipment mounting. It's suitable for reptiles comfortable with moderate visibility and enclosures placed against a wall.
Works Well With:
- Enclosures placed against a wall but visible from the side
- Setups where you want to create a temperature gradient
- Species that benefit from some additional viewing area but still need privacy
Who Is This For:
- Reptiles that are comfortable with some visibility but not constant exposure
- Keepers who want to observe their pet from multiple angles without compromising too much on environmental control
Tips:
- Position the window on the cooler side of the enclosure to maintain better temperature control
- Use the windowed side for plants or decorations to create a natural privacy screen
- Consider adding a removable cover for the window to adjust visibility as needed
Two or More Side Windows:
Maximizes visibility and creates a display-style enclosure. Two or more side windows are ideal for active, diurnal species that are comfortable with high visibility. Perfect for centerpiece habitats and for keepers who prioritize observing their pets from multiple angles.
Works Well With:
- Display enclosures or centerpiece habitats
- Enclosures with a lot of contents inside
- Active, diurnal species that are comfortable with visibility
- Setups where maximum observation is desired
Who Is This For:
- Confident reptiles that aren't easily stressed by movement or visibility
- Species that are highly active and utilize all areas of their enclosure
- Keepers who prioritize being able to observe their pet from multiple angles
Tips:
- Provide ample hiding spots and visual barriers within the enclosure
- Monitor stress levels in your reptile, especially when first introducing them to a highly visible environment