Humane sizes for rack containers?

[Treefolk]

I've been looking at commercial racks as a standard to design my rack and have been constantly thinking that the sizes are just not very humane.

I'm not in this hobby to get glory or riches, I do it because it makes me happy and stimulates me in a positive way; so shouldn't my enclosures reflect my state of mind for my Leos?

What is your opinions of a humane dimension for a leo enclosure? 16"x14"? More?

Comment please

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I personally wouldn't house a leo in anything smaller than the rough equivalent of a 20 long, (30"x12", 360 "^2). But I wouldn't use a rack system for that exact reason.

~Maggot

 

[Treefolk]

I personally wouldn't house a leo in anything smaller than the rough equivalent of a 20 long, (30"x12", 360 "^2). But I wouldn't use a rack system for that exact reason.

~Maggot

Sorry, I'm confused.

Whats stopping anyone from making a rack system that uses a 30"x12"? I've done tons of carpentry and could easily build a rack that could accommodate that. Would take me... maybe 5 hours to build.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Nothing is stopping anyone from using the biggest tubs available but personally I find most of my leos do better in smaller sized containers rather than containers with ample space. I say this because when they are in smaller containers, they eat better, grow a bit faster, and are more often out and about at the front of their bin and don't panic and dart for a hide when I open their bin. I keep most of mine in 6qt bins and groups or geckos over 80g in 16qt bins. They each get two hides and a moist hide in the 6 qt bins and groups get at 2-3 hides and a big lay box. I've seen other breeders keep theirs with only a laybox and no hides as the rack provides more security (i.e. it is dark and enclosed like a hide already).

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Sorry, I'm confused.

Whats stopping anyone from making a rack system that uses a 30"x12"? I've done tons of carpentry and could easily build a rack that could accommodate that. Would take me... maybe 5 hours to build.

This might surprise you, but some of us aren't carpenters. As far as I'm aware, though I could very well be wrong, there aren't any commercially available rack systems that size. Granted, I wouldn't use a rack system because I prefer to view my reptiles, too, but size is a factor too.

~Maggot

 

[katie_]

I use 16q tubs as well.
I find my geckos are less skittish and braver when housed in a solid container than a glass one. I also have cats that would sit and stare if the geckos were visible, which would stress the geckos out.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I use 16q tubs as well.
I find my geckos are less skittish and braver when housed in a solid container than a glass one. I also have cats that would sit and stare if the geckos were visible, which would stress the geckos out.

You know, weirdly, none of my 10 cats have ever been very interested in my geckos. My plants are the most fascinating things ever, but the geckos? Nah.

~Maggot

 

[Phoenix1115]

You know, weirdly, none of my 10 cats have ever been very interested in my geckos. My plants are the most fascinating things ever, but the geckos? Nah.

~Maggot

My geckos are actually the ones interested in other animals. For about a week when i was doing some rearranging I had one tank on the floor and when I would let the guinea pigs run around the baby in that tank would run out of his hide and watch the pigs run back and forth. it was adorable.

I personally have only used racks for snakes. I also like to view my lizards, but that's because they have such cute personalities that it's fun! It also makes it easier to be like, Oh that one needs to be cleaned, or that water should be changed cause I see that a cricket died in it. Stuff like that. General maintenance. Also the get less disturbed during maintenance because i'm just removing a lid, instead of moving their entire home. But I support rack systems as well. I understand why people use them. This is just a personal preference for me =)

 

[katie_]

Rupert has fallen thru the screen top to one tank, and flipped off another. Both resulting in half eaten dead geckos.
I will only use rack systems!!

 

[Phoenix1115]

Rupert has fallen thru the screen top to one tank, and flipped off another. Both resulting in half eaten dead geckos.
I will only use rack systems!!

Completely understandable. I'd do the same in that situation!

 

[katie_]

My cats a hole

 

[Treefolk]

Ya, I have 3 cats and I think my leo gets a little scared when all 3 sit around the tank licking their lips.

Although, this is not the the topic at hand

 

[SC Geckos]

I've been looking at commercial racks as a standard to design my rack and have been constantly thinking that the sizes are just not very humane.

I'm not in this hobby to get glory or riches, I do it because it makes me happy and stimulates me in a positive way; so shouldn't my enclosures reflect my state of mind for my Leos?

What is your opinions of a humane dimension for a leo enclosure? 16"x14"? More?

Comment please

I think as long as you give the animal everything it needs, a ten gallon tank or something with similar floor space is ideal. Bigger is not always better when it comes to enclosure size.
I use tubs from 6qt all the way up to 41qt depending on the situation and the size of the animal. Most of my adults are housed in 15qts. which are 16 1/2" long x 13" wide. (Basically the same floor space as a 10 gallon tank which is 20" long x 10" wide). I have found that most of my geckos seem to do better, more comfortable and secure in this size tub.
There is no problem with large enclosures either, as long as it is set up properly you should be good either way you go.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

i plan on upgrading to racks when i get my females for my first go at breeding leos, however my boy Cesar is my stud so he gets to keep his 10gal. bachelor pad