Help me design my new tank, please

[Olimpia]

Ok so here's the deal - I just did my two 20 gal tanks for my gecko breeding pairs, and I recently freed up the tank I had my crestie in. So I was thinking that instead of having to put the males in their own little 10 gal tanks (which means that I'll have to buy more small tanks because I have a few ocupied with recently aquired ladies) I rather move my girls to a different tank and leave the guys with their man caves... so to speak.

So the tank is a challenge because it is a tall tank - it measures 24 inches wide x 24 inches tall x 12 inches deep. I am thinking that I will probably lay it on its side so that the screen top is on one of the sides (secured with clips) so that it's easier to get into all the parts of the tank. The best way to utilize the space would be to make levels, so I need someone who has maybe done this before to help me with the logistics of this.

The levels have to be easily removable for cleaning and sturdy (obviously). Anyone have any ideas as to how to do this?

 

[Olimpia]

I drew this quickly just to show the only idea I have so far, just to make it easier to visualize:

Pretend it's more 3D than what it actually looks like. The idea is to have the levels suspended by thick wood poles from Home Depot at different places (not just all in a straight like like it looks like in the pic. The idea is to maybe have the differen't levels' poles fit into wedges in the level below it so I can pull it all appart? I dunno. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Wreptile]

The ledges in my Gecko Mountain work great, and they are super sturdy.
If you were to follow my intructions on my thread, I would use grout instead of the wall mud.
Here is my thread:
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=32991&highlight=gecko+mountain

 

[Alliemac]

I just made this shelf yesterday but you could do something similar with extra levels. My tank is 24"l x 18"t x 12"d. It's just a piece of plywood with 4 legs cut from a branch from my backyard. I baked the whole thing once it was assembled to kill any bugs.

 

[Olimpia]

Alright thanks, to both of you! I currently have an architect friend working on a design so we'll see what she says first, but I have been getting a lot of ideas from other peoples' tanks on here.

 

[Olimpia]

Well, I went ahead and started some foam structures. I know they don't look like much yet, but once I get started on the plaster detail it'll start to look a lot more like rock. Both pieces come together and cover 2/4 sides of the tank.

Actually, it looks really crappy! haha but lets hope it turns out cooler.

 

[Wreptile]

If this is for a Leo, how do they get to the top ledge?

 

[Olimpia]

Eh yea the photo makes it seem like the ledges are farther apart than they actually are. Trust me, I've measured it and all the distances are easy enough for the size of gecko I have.

 

[Olimpia]

Here is the progress as of this morning - I have since added a rock or two to the ledges and have covered it all in several layers of plaster. I am painting it at the moment, but it's not done yet. But pictures of the painting process will come shortly!

 

[BlackDiamondGeckos]

looks nice. cant wait to see it finished

 

[clarkee_04]

olimpia that looks awesome, what colour scheme are you going to go with?

 

[fishyfan]

That is going to look so awesome once its painted, great job :main_thumbsup:

 

[Olimpia]

Thanks!

I plan on going with browns and tans for the rocks since I use Ecoearth as the substrate, I might as well stick to that non-desert feel. I've also tried painting moss on certain areas, and I will be adding the fake plants tonight when UPS delivers them. I'll post more photos later today

 

[stellascura420]

that's pretty sweet! can't wait to see the final product :main_yes:

 

[Wreptile]

Have any pictures of it painted yet?

 

[Olimpia]

Ok here are the photos of the finished product!
Despite all the tinkering on Photoshop I can't get it to look as good as it does in person haha. But it's done and it's just airing out now. Honestly, I hope my girls like it because I've spent to many hours on this it's riddiculous!

 

[Olimpia]

I'll try to get some photos in better lighting tomorrow, because I know these photos suck. But yep, that's basically it. In a few days I'll let the girls test it out and see the reaction. It would suck if they didn't like it haha

 

[Wreptile]

It looks great!
Where did you get those little plants? And the green on the edges, did you just p[aint it a different color there, or did you do something different?

Thanks.

 

[Olimpia]

It looks great!
Where did you get those little plants? And the green on the edges, did you just p[aint it a different color there, or did you do something different?

Thanks.

Thank you! I bought the succulent plants off of Ebay (I swear you can find the little 3 pack for a buck + shipping) and the little blue flowers off of a branch from Joann's for a few dollars. And yea, I just painted the "moss" with a messy brush using different shades of green.

 

[Wreptile]

Thank you! I bought the succulent plants off of Ebay (I swear you can find the little 3 pack for a buck + shipping) and the little blue flowers off of a branch from Joann's for a few dollars. And yea, I just painted the "moss" with a messy brush using different shades of green.

So the moss isn't real moss? What is it made out of?