Gargoyle Habitat Questions!

[Alexzilla]

Hello, My name is Alex. I am new to this forum but belong to 2 others (which unfortunately arent very active) Anyways... I have been doing a lot of reading on gargoyle geckos and have decided I want one. Now here is the problem, I have a 20 gallon long tank on the bottom half of a stand. There is no room on this stand, which is the only place I have for the tank, to turn the tank upwards. I am trying to find out if what ive done to the tank will be suffecient for one gargoyle. Thank You!

 

[leonut]

It should be fine. Gargoyles are what you would consider "semi-arboreal" so they don't spend as much time off the ground as say, day geckos. so a long tank should work great.

 

[goReptiles]

You need more height. I also wouldn't necessarily use so many lights, either. Try a few more climbing things in the middle area; it's pretty bare there.

 

[leonut]

Why shouldn't he use lights? Isn't there light in new caledonia?

What i'm getting at is you shouldn't turn it on it's side as that will not give enough floor space. If you want more height (and don't want to spend a lot of money) you can get on of these.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18338

(Although It probably won't hold humidity well)

 

[Alexzilla]

thanks, i actually dont have the space to turn it, the clearance from the bottom self to the bottom of the top self is 20 inches and i need at least 30 to turn it on its side. now the lights are just there as i was originally going to get another leopard gecko.there are pieces of plexiglass over the left and right side of the top with the center light being the one that can shine through and the only light i intend to use, then at night i will slide the plexiglass from the right to the center and turn on the night time blue night. so at any given time there is only 1 light on. I do agree that the center is bare and plan on adding more climbing things there but im more worried about the hieght. so other than needing more climbing items in the center do you think that this tank will be ok for 1 gargoyle? thanks

 

[Alexzilla]

from the bottom shelf* to the bottom of the top shelf*

 

[leonut]

I think it should be fine. This is bigger than a ten gallon and that is the suggested minimum.

 

[Haroldo]

I'd ditch the reptile carpet. Gargoyles have long claws and they will get caught up in the carpet pretty easily. I'd also recommend like Whitney, a taller tank.

 

[Alexzilla]

ok ditching the carpet I can do but as previously stated I cant turn the tank, i dont have space enough to do so. I added a few more things for the gargoyle to climb on and i want to add these pictures. I am really happy because the plant things i added were marked at 12.99 but only cost 4.99 so i said 8 bucks on each. I definately am trying to provide alot of things to climb on, and i think considering the space i do have ive done a pretty good job.

 

[goReptiles]

Why shouldn't he use lights? Isn't there light in new caledonia?

I said not so many lights. There's no need for 3 lights.

I think it should be fine. This is bigger than a ten gallon and that is the suggested minimum.

I've never heard of a minimum for gargoyles to be a 10 gallon. That is too small for an adult gargoyle, IMO. They do need more height. The 20 longs are slightly shorter but longer.

ok ditching the carpet I can do but as previously stated I cant turn the tank, i dont have space enough to do so. I added a few more things for the gargoyle to climb on and i want to add these pictures. I am really happy because the plant things i added were marked at 12.99 but only cost 4.99 so i said 8 bucks on each. I definately am trying to provide alot of things to climb on, and i think considering the space i do have ive done a pretty good job.

I agree that with the space, your additions are great, but the tank needs to be taller. 29 gallons have the same base space as the 20 longs, but are taller, which would provide loads of room and play for the gargoyle

 

[leonut]

I said not so many lights. There's no need for 3 lights.

I understand there's no "need" for three but it makes the cage look nice. I've noticed a lot of breeders here tend to think if it's not needed, you shouldn't have it. I myself am somewhat guilty of this.

I've never heard of a minimum for gargoyles to be a 10 gallon. That is too small for an adult gargoyle, IMO. They do need more height. The 20 longs are slightly shorter but longer.

Well, the absolute minimum for crested geckos is ten gallon and gargoyles are less vertically inclined than crested geckos, plus they are smaller. I thought 20 gallon longs were like 2 inches taller than ten gallons? guess not. :main_huh:

I agree that with the space, your additions are great, but the tank needs to be taller. 29 gallons have the same base space as the 20 longs, but are taller, which would provide loads of room and play for the gargoyle

Although a 29 would be great, it doesn't sound like his situation allows for it. (20" of vertical space) A normal 20 would probably cover it. 24"x12"x16" I believe.

 

[downthebeatenpath]

The three lights could put off too much heat, if you want that much light output I would just suggest a flourescent, since they have the same amount of light output but much lower heat output compared to incandecents. You need to offer a gradient too so if those are all heat bulbs he has no where to escape the heat for cooler temps if he wants.

 

[goReptiles]

I understand there's no "need" for three but it makes the cage look nice. I've noticed a lot of breeders here tend to think if it's not needed, you shouldn't have it. I myself am somewhat guilty of this.

Too much heat if you have three working lights. That's all I'm trying to get at. One is perfectly fine. Three is over the top.

Well, the absolute minimum for crested geckos is ten gallon and gargoyles are less vertically inclined than crested geckos, plus they are smaller. I thought 20 gallon longs were like 2 inches taller than ten gallons? guess not. :main_huh:

The minimum for one crested gecko is a 15 gallon tall aquarium, not a 10 gallon, and since gargoyles are slightly larger, then need at least that to be cramped.

10 gallon 20L x 10W x 12H
20 gallon long 30L x 12½W x 13H

So, there about the same height when laid flat.

 

[leonut]

Too much heat if you have three working lights. That's all I'm trying to get at. One is perfectly fine. Three is over the top.

I don't know what he's using, but incandesant bulbs don't get very hot. If he were using three heat lights that would be over the top.

The minimum for one crested gecko is a 15 gallon tall aquarium, not a 10 gallon, and since gargoyles are slightly larger, then need at least that to be cramped.

I guess my info is outdated or something, because everything I've read about gargs said they are smaller and less active than cresteds.

 

[Valley Reptiles]

Gargoyles are bigger than cresteds. It takes them a little longer to reach adult size though.
They do spend more time on the ground but still spend a lot of time climbing.
If you cant fit a bigger aquarium in the space, maybe consider a 66qt sterilite or Rubermade tub.

 

[goReptiles]

I don't know what he's using, but incandesant bulbs don't get very hot. If he were using three heat lights that would be over the top.

I guess my info is outdated or something, because everything I've read about gargs said they are smaller and less active than cresteds.

Even three regular lighting bulbs is excessive. One is plenty. There really is no need for so many. I'm not sure what the point of three regular/non-heat bulbs would be.

I have had adults of both, and gargoyles are slightly larger. Like Eric said, they just grow slower. As for the activity level, I've found it to be about the same, although it will vary per gecko.

 

[leonut]

Even three regular lighting bulbs is excessive. One is plenty. There really is no need for so many. I'm not sure what the point of three regular/non-heat bulbs would be.

Have you ever seen a european enclosure? They tend to use even more than three accent lights. I've seen some gecko tanks that have more than 20 different types of lights on it. I use accent lights on some of my enclousures. I guess what I'm getting at is; it may not be "practical", but some enclousures aren't meant to be practical.

 

[goReptiles]

Larger tanks will have more lighting. A 20gallon long does not need so much. Remember that these guys don't need excessive heating and with room temps plus 3 lights, even regular lighting, that is putting off some heat.

 

[leonut]

I think I'll stop hijacking now. :laugh: You're probably one of the only people here who would continue an argument with me for this long without flying into a blind rage. Lol! I think that is the mark of a very smart person. (or a least a person with good social skills :laugh

 

[gators0204]

Gargs don't need excessive heat as whitney said. Room temp is fine up to about 85 for daytime. I keep mine at about 81-82. Also, you do need more height, they do like to climb. They might be semi-aboreal but mine climb as high as they can in my 24" H tank, with the help of cork and mopani wood. As for minimum requirements a 10g is only good for a young juvi.