Critique My Terrarium (pics)

[pucki513]

hi everyone! I've never had a leo before so I'm trying to learn all I can before i get one. I set up the tank (mostly) and wanted your opinions. I don't have one picked out or anything so there is no rush to finish. I just want a great home that is nice to look at as well

The left is the cool side, right is the warm. Humid hide is back right. I will put the bowls on the left front and will secure the rocks when I have a final setup. The UTH and thermometer come tomorrow, so I will get those in and working ASAP.

I want to do something with the background, but as you can see I don't want anything too artificial so suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, the bottom is reptile carpet but it will be pretty much covered by rocks and such.

The tank is 20 long and I haven't gotten to lighting or a cover yet.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I'm glad you're learning about all of this before getting a gecko. I love that. It's the sign of a good owner when they're that concerned with the wellbeing of their reptile. It's so frustrating when people come on and say they've got basically nothing their reptile needs because they just didn't bother doing any research. /rant

ANYWAY, it looks really great. I'm jealous actually. When you secure the rocks, make sure you use a non-toxic sealant (I used aquarium sealant). Also make sure you use digital thermometers, as analogs and the strip ones tend to be inaccurate.

Where will you be putting the UTH? I don't think it will be very effective if it's under a pile of rocks. Unless there's a part that's free of rocks that I missed.

If you want to make a background, there are lots of great links. Would you want to make it a rock one?

~Maggot

 

[Kate C]

I haven't gotten to lighting or a cover yet.

Leopard geckos do not need lighting. Lights actually have been known to stress them out.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Leopard geckos do not need lighting. Lights actually have been known to stress them out.

I personally can't imagine them having no source of light would be good for them. They naturally live in the desert. There's plenty of light there. And he's given plenty of hides, so it's not like it would be forced to be out in the light - which definitely would stress them out. What is your reasoning for saying lighting is stressful?

~Maggot

 

[Kate C]

I personally can't imagine them having no source of light would be good for them.

They do perfectly fine with natural sunlight coming from the window.

They naturally live in the desert. There's plenty of light there.

The sun isn't 8-12 inches away from them in the wild, though.

And he's given plenty of hides, so it's not like it would be forced to be out in the light - which definitely would stress them out.

But he would be forced to hide -- which definitely would stress him out.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

They do perfectly fine with natural sunlight coming from the window.

Assuming they're near a window that has plenty of sunlight coming in for a sufficient amount of time to provide them with an accurate day/night cycle?

The sun isn't 8-12 inches away from them in the wild, though.

Yes, but the sun is also astronomically (no pun intended) brighter than a light bulb. You can't compare the sun to a bulb.

But he would be forced to hide -- which definitely would stress him out.

But that's their natural behaviour when it's light out. That's not forcing.

~Maggot

 

[pucki513]

Thanks for your replies. As far as lighting, I was just looking into having a blue night light type thing to be able to see him at night (while I'm awake anyway).

 

[Kate C]

Assuming they're near a window that has plenty of sunlight coming in for a sufficient amount of time to provide them with an accurate day/night cycle?
- Then, I suppose you can use one.

Yes, but the sun is also astronomically (no pun intended) brighter than a light bulb. You can't compare the sun to a bulb.
- Yes, the sun is brighter, but once again, it isn't 8-12 inches away from their face.

But that's their natural behaviour when it's light out. That's not forcing.
- Not really. Mine enjoys exploring during the day..

If you want to use it for viewing for a short period of time, it should be fine..

 

[lisa127]

The blue night glow bulbs are just fine and will not stress them out (above they are referring to white, normal lighting). Just be sure if you're using it in combination with a UTH that things don't get too hot.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Then, I suppose you can use one.

I get a good amount of sunlight through my windows, but it's still quite a bit brighter outside than inside my room. Unless you're in a room that's 100% windows, if you're inside with no additional lighting and walk outside during the day, it's gonna be a whole lot brighter.

Yes, the sun is brighter, but once again, it isn't 8-12 inches away from their face.

You're not getting this. You can't compare the sun and a blub - regardless of the distance from the bottom of the tank - because they're two totally different things.

Not really. Mine enjoys exploring during the day..

I never said they don't, but leopard geckos are nocturnal, which means "active at night." They should be hiding during the day because that's their instinct. Will they come out during the day? Sure, sometimes. Mine does as well. But they are nocturnal, so them hiding during the day isn't a "forced" behaviour. It's what they're supposed to do.

The blue night glow bulbs are just fine and will not stress them out (above they are referring to white, normal lighting). Just be sure if you're using it in combination with a UTH that things don't get too hot.

"There are even light-sensitive areas of the reptilian brain that respond directly to sunlight’s glow through the skull. The length of day and night, the sun’s position in the sky, and the intensity and amount of blue in sunlight all give precise information about the time of day and season of the year. In response, a reptile adjusts its activity levels, and daily and seasonal behaviors, such as its reproductive cycle and thermoregulation needs. Even nocturnal species govern their behavior by monitoring day and night from their daytime hiding places."
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-health/reptile-natural-artificial-light.aspx

I assume you're saying it would be less stressful because it wouldn't be as bright?

~Maggot

 

[Kate C]

You're not getting this. You can't compare the sun and a blub - regardless of the distance from the bottom of the tank - because they're two totally different things.

I am too tired to explain or type, I guess.

I never said they don't, but leopard geckos are nocturnal, which means "active at night." They should be hiding during the day because that's their instinct. Will they come out during the day? Sure, sometimes. Mine does as well. But they are nocturnal, so them hiding during the day isn't a "forced" behaviour. It's what they're supposed to do.

Actually, they are not nocturnal, they are crepuscular.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Actually, they are not nocturnal, they are crepuscular.

Fair enough, but that doesn't change the point being made.

~Maggot

 

[GexPex]

*Shrugs* I have a simple fluorescent bulb for day/night cycles on my leopard geckos and they still come out during the day when the light is on. Doesn't seem to bother them one bit. Some will even sleep out in the open without hiding.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

*Shrugs* I have a simple fluorescent bulb for day/night cycles on my leopard geckos and they still come out during the day when the light is on. Doesn't seem to bother them one bit. Some will even sleep out in the open without hiding.

I have a regular basking bulb, and mine's the same. Usually she's hiding, but sometimes she's out chilling in the light. The only light I've ever seen bother her was the red light I used at night, so I switched to a CHE.

~Maggot

 

[lisa127]

I never said it would be stressful, the above poster did. I was just clarifying for the OP regarding the blue night glo bulbs. However, back when I was breeding leo's I never used lighting on any of them. And I still wouldn't.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I never said it would be stressful, the above poster did. I was just clarifying for the OP regarding the blue night glo bulbs. However, back when I was breeding leo's I never used lighting on any of them. And I still wouldn't.

Okay, you said it wouldn't be stressful, which is why I posted the information regarding their exceptional color vision and the fact that they regulate their lives based on how much blue is in the light they're exposed to.

~Maggot

 

[lisa127]

To clarify what I meant, I've never used bright white lighting on my leo's. I have and do use the night glo bulbs.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

To clarify what I meant, I've never used bright white lighting on my leo's. I have and do use the night glo bulbs.

Yes, I think we got that, which is why I posted the information that I did.

~Maggot

 

[pucki513]

OK well I'm not worried about the lights right now

 

[SORROW89]

What do they do in the wild when the sun is out? hide under whatever and sleep. Same thing if you put a low white bulb on on a timer. They lay under their hides and sleep, same thing. That's not stress, unless the hides are too open which they shouldn't be. Neither my gecko or my wife's gecko is stressed. They eat better and look healthier after I started using light.