Gecko Enclosure Ideas Needed!!

[Twiggz]

Ok well i'm looking into getting a pair of Ring Tailed Geckos. From what i know already they grow to bout 25cm or there abouts, are both aboreal and terrestrial, are vigorous eaters and need to have a hot spot in their enclosure of bout 29deg (with the other end of the setup being a temp of round 22-26deg).

The critical thing is space-they need a bit from what i've been told and read so far. I think Danny may have mentioned in one of his papers that roughly 30cm3 should be used as a guide for each specimen housed.

I was originally looking as an Exo Terra Glass Terrarium 45cmx45cmx60cm- retails at $215.
I'm hoping to not spend that much and am now looking into a much cheaper alternative.

I'm now thinking that something similar to what i house my broad tails in may be a cheaper way to go. See pic attached. But here i have a few more concerns:

1) I need UVA/UVB lighting and would rather house a reflector on top of the cage so as to not take up enclosure space. Meaning that i will need a mesh top, problem being that the only mesh i can find is 5mm bird wire (great for ventiation but not so good for escapee roaches/crickets- dont want to use Fluon on edging as will detract from look of setup)

2) Next issue is i want to put in sliding glass doors- and easy job all for one small problem. I dont have a router and want to know if you can buy the plastic stuff that the glass will sit in and moves from side to side in?? (Bad day for words with me- if you can't understand what i'm getting to i'll get a pic to post)

Total available space free in garage is on a shelf with 85cm(length) x 40cm(deep)- height can vary.

Ideas peoples please.
Think appearance and let money be your guide

Thanks in advance.

[Auzlizardking]

"the plastic stuff that the glass will sit in " Bunnings $23.00

[Twiggz]

cheers.

more ideas people pleeeeas

[buck]

Mat, what about metal flyscreen on top and sit the light reflector on top of it? You could cut a "window" out of the top and cover it with the flyscreen, that way the light could be supported by the "frame" of the window. Hope that makes sense.

[Rocket]

I am also getting a pair of Ring Tails. At present, mine are only juvies so I am using a 2 foot aquarium. I have a solid wooden lid with Fluorescent Tube Batten and Heat Globe connection. Also has vents etc. I am using a 15 watt NEC Blacklight for UVA/UVB Exposure and a 25watt Moonlight Purple Globe for night heating.

Inside I have a piece of Astroturf and the Rest is Yellow Sand mixed with Coir peat. Then added logs, basking sticks etc. They have hides, hollow logs, fake bushes etc. I have placed a piece of Peg-board against the glass at the back of the tank. Danny brown said there is no need for a water bowl, just excessive spraying to keep Humidity up, I would think.

I am also interested in Twiggz' question as I will be after Ideas in which I can house my adult Ring Tails. Geckodan says a 2 foot is adequate for an adult pair but it may still be a squeeze for the animals.

Shawn

[Jumala]

buy a cheap second hand fish tank 60-75cm long, 45cm wide, take one of the long sides off it. To make it easier to take the side off, get one which doesn't have any re-enforcing on the sides. also if you get one with the 'shelf' on the shorter sides (where you would normally rest the cover glass on the fish tank) you can use this as a guide for where to line up your glass doors.
Make the mesh top with a window frame which then gives support to put in the glass slider inserts on it. then you just stick the bottom rail on the new bottom side of the tank.
because you are using a glass tank, you can safely rest the light fitting on the top where it can rest on the tank without having to worry about it falling through the mesh.
Or just make another one like you have for the broad tails just with the alum fly screen mesh instead.
Whichever one works out cheaper for you :-D
Just remember these guys are very agile little buggers! They will climb anything they can get their little claws into.
hth
Ange

[trader]

You may get a few ideas from:

http://herpshop.com.au/CareSheets/GeckoEnclosure

[Twiggz]

Yeah all good ideas.

Buck was pretty close with what i was looking to do. I'm almost certain now that i will station the reflector externally to the cage- ie having a window as suggested.

But with all this in mind i was leaning more towards a timber enclosure as it would hold the heat more than a glass one, would it not?

Also does anyone know what this stuff in Bunnings is called or roughly where i would find it??

I'll hopefully draw up a plan later on and post it to see what you all think........but until then..... keep the ideas flowing peoples.

Oh and Rocket would you mind posting a pic of your setup? Its got me a little intrigued.

Many Thanks
Mat

[Twiggz]

Yeah trader thats very close to what i'm contemplating doing- tweaking the dimensions and putting in some more vents.

Keep it coming