Building Up

Has anybody built UP their cages/terrariums etc? I have my juvie in a 10 gal. and was thinking of using some of the "up" space. I have some ideas, but not very good ones at the moment :main_no:. Has anybody done this and do you have any pictures? Maybe I can get some ideas that way. I can post some pictures of what Leiah's cage looks like at the moment once I get home.

:main_thumbsup:Thanks in advance for any pictures you may want to share! :main_laugh:

ooh, one more thing, if I give it too much height, will she jump? I'm not really liking that thought. I mean it's only a 10 gallon so it wouldn't be that high, but it's still something to consider.

There are several simple attractive ways to add different levels of excitement to your herps cage. PVC pipe tubes spray painted with some of that textured spray paint, tiles propped and secured up higher to make baskingplatforms or feeding stations, mushroom ledges, etc. All look really nice when a little time is put into it and just a little money. I was able to decorate my leos cage with stuff I had laying around the house from my tortoises tank and my son's ball python's tank and his old Bufo's tank. Some trips to the stream and we were good to go.

I went with a really natural set up and there is like 3 levels of enjoyment for Eros. Ground floor, midline, and upper level.



granted my tank is a 20 long, you could still do a lot of this in a 10 gallon as well. Also if you do decide to build upwards I would use a lid on the tank., They could get out.

ooh, that's really nice. I may end up upgrading to a 20 gallon in the future, I'm sure I could make it really nice. I already have a lid on my tank since I have some fake vines... i know she's a great climber! Thanks for the picture =) My creative juices are beginning to flow. haha.

I need to go take a picture of my set up

Alright, here is my current setup. The food, water an calcium dishes are sort of on a second floor and she does go up there. I'd like to do more though.

View attachment 36996

Stick a magnatized mushroom ledge (or ceramic/stone tiles) over the left side hides about half way up the tank wall, run a ramp down to the top of the hide on the right where she's sitting (or a tube) and put her food up there. You could also do the same thing in reverse so in essence having 2 ledges. One over the left and right hides. Just keep them like 5 inches wide. You could if you used tiles you could silicon them into place on the 2 in obvious glass sides, then use something as a leg to support the outside edge (kinda like I did with that oversized platform on the left and the tree branch support).

OR you could cut a piece of that stiff plastic they use to cover flurescent light fixtures and cut out a shape like both platforms joined with a narrower catwalk and the ramp (or tube) going upstairs being in the center to the catwalk then the leo could decide which way to go from there. You could also get creative with some lizard lounge hammocks. Disguising them with some artificial foliage to jazz it up a bit.

Just curious but is that hide your leo is sitting on a hot hut? one of those hides that plugs in like a heat rock and warms up?

This is the first set up I made. There are some things I would change if I where to start over, but I thought it came out ok for my first one. If you are crafty at all, you can just make your own and build it the way you want it. It isn’t hard but it can take some time. I have found babies on the top shelf so they do use all of it. Hope this helps with your creative process.

Oohh, so many ideas! Thanks for the pic James!


@Dog Shrink, the hide she's sitting on is home made with styrofoam/grout and sealant (So is the cool side hide). I have a UTH on the right side of the tank. So it's under that hide. She used to just lie on top of that hide b/c I think she was too hot. But ever since I lowered the temperature she now sleeps inside the hide... she still likes to hang out on the "roof" of it at times =)

@ vear: this is going to sound so so weird. but that hidey that you made out of the little cup??
Yeah i made one just like it same cup and all. And the hole is even cut in the same place. xD odd.? yes. Funny?yes. xD

This is what I made to keep my 3 females happy! They love it.... 3 caves and a network of tunnels:main_thumbsup:

shiftygecko said:

This is what I made to keep my 3 females happy! They love it.... 3 caves and a network of tunnels:main_thumbsup:

Click to expand...

That looks like fun