55 gallon aquarium!

[JasonO80]

I just purchased a 55 gallon aquarium to tun into a large vivarium for my Leo's. Would like to open up the floor to everyone to see what they would do with the space from arrangement, heating, to decor.

 

[B&B Geckos]

Make sure that the surface temp is in the 88-92 range. This often is not the case when adding substrate.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Slate substrate is the best thing I ever did. Also, I made hides myself with styrofoam grout and modge podge. It saved a lot of space in my 20 gallon long, but honestly the options are limitless. Backgrounds, hides, steps, shelves making it a really cool viv with lots for your leo to discover and do. I would love to have something that big to play with

 

[Kylerbassman]

Also, make yourself a litter box. I used a piece of plastic from packaging 6x3 ish and put about 1/4 of sand. My Leo's both use that as there bathroom keeping the rest of the Viv very clean.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Actually stone or natural slate is a very good conductor. Just sit the slate up off the bottom so the heat from the Uth will rise and really soak into the stone. I just used sand and placed it around the edge of the Viv to set the tiles flat on something leaving the center completely open with no sand. My tile without lights can easily reach 95 degrees. I use an infrared thermometer, so I know it's accurate. Also use zoo med Uth over zilla if you have the option. The zoo med worked better for me.

 

[JasonO80]

Well I already have a 29 gallon set up but I want to give them more room and more to play with. I use overhead heating ie. read light so I was thinking of putting one at each end since the tank is almost twice the length. This should make the tanks cool area in the middle. Or maybe one red light and one ceramic. Or two ceramics and one small light for viewing. I guess I am just stoked about this cause I didn't expect to be able to do this any time soon but when you find a 55 gallon tank that has never been used for $25 you can't pass that up!

 

[Kylerbassman]

Definately use Uth and not the lighting. Leo's need belly heat. Also if your housing more than 1, you will need hot cool and moist for each gecko you have in there.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Red lights can actually bother some leos. So I would watch them and see how they react. My one Leo hates the red light. Other one didn't seem too bothered, but was definately less active when the red light was on

 

[Kylerbassman]

That is a great deal for a 55 gallon

 

[JasonO80]

Right now I have my 2 leos in my 29 gallon with the red light. It keeps the surface temp at 90 on the hot side and 70 on the cool side. It seems to not bother either of them they are very active with it on.

 

[Kylerbassman]

I'm just giving my opinion of what I would say is best. I think you will find that a Uth is used by most and for good reasons. I'm not saying you can't use lights as your main source of heat, as it is your animal. I'm just giving you my best advice as you had asked for suggestions. Good luck with planning. I can't wait till I can find a deal like that

 

[JasonO80]

I will probably use a combination of both. Any other good ideas about where to find good vivarium products cheap!

 

[Kylerbassman]

Craigslist, amazon, online reptile stores. Even large pet places are so overpriced. Plus online you get so much more variety on products that are even better than what you could find somewhere locally

 

[katie_]

A 55 only has a 48" x 12" foot print. Not very big in my opinion.

 

[JasonO80]

A 55 only has a 48" x 12" foot print. Not very big in my opinion.

It is twice the footprint I have them in now so I am happy with that.