Installing Tile?

[Akkia]

I was wondering how to put tile in to my leo tank. Right now ive got tile but it just doesn't seem right. What i did was bought some tile pre meshed together,i think it was for wall tile, and i filled the cracks with sand. is there any better way to put tile in?

 

[moosassah]

I put the tile in only where the heating pad is. I also use paper towel on the floor to make clean up much easier. If you are looking to go with an all tile floor measure the bottom-inside of your tank & have the tiles cut to size.

Why hasn't a company developed the tile floor herp tank yet?

 

[rhino43grr]

1. measure your tank.
these were my dimensions for a 20 gallon long:
- long side ("length"): 30 inches (from inside wall to inside wall)
- sides ("width"): 12 inches (from inside wall to inside wall)
- you don't need to worry about how tall the tank is since you're just putting tile on the floor.
2. figure out how many tiles you'll need.
floor tile comes in different sizes, but 12" x 12" is the easiest to find usually.
- since my dimensions were 30" x 12" the 12" x 12" tile would work for most of the tank as follows:
- two 12" x 12" tiles would cover a 24" x 12" area of the tank floor, leaving me with a 6" x 12" area uncovered, but three tiles would be 6" x 12" too much.
- i could either:
a) have a 12" x 12" tile cut in half to fill the space -or-
b) buy two 6" x 6" tiles to fill the space -or-
c) buy two 3" x 12" tiles to fill the space
*there are other possibilities as well, but they're not important.
3. take your measurements to lowes/home depot/etc. and pick tile.
make sure the tile isn't too smooth or it will be like a skating rink in there for your gecko.
- i found out that my lowes couldn't cut the tile for me so i got the two 6" x 6" tiles for the extra space.
4. put the tiles in the tank, if you did everything right they should fit without much space in between or overlapping.
5. pour a little sand in between the cracks.
6. admire.


i'll try to make a diagram with symbols of how my tank could have looked:

1. two 12" x 12" tiles and one cut in half:

[ ][ ]|]

2. two 12" x 12" tiles and two 6" x 6" (the way i have it set up now)
(i had to do the text on here vertically so it would line up)
[ ]
[ ][ ]
[ ]

3. two 12" x 12" tiles and two 3" x 12"

[[ ][ ]]


don't know if that helped or just confused you more, but the bottom line is:
measure.
buy floor tiles (chances are you'll need at least one 12" x 12" tile unless you want a bunch of small tiles instead)

 

[rhino43grr]

Why hasn't a company developed the tile floor herp tank yet?

i'm working on it as soon as i can convince my fiancee to let me open a pet store here since the closest one is 15 minutes away. all it would take to be able to make and sell the tile floor tanks is 3 things basically:

a tank supplier
a tile supplier
a tile cutter

and maybe some sand, but you could even make them with the tile permanently attached... wanna go into business with me?:main_laugh:

 

[lucia]

I got my tile, but now it does not fit in my tank. It is 12"X12" tile, which I presumed would fit perfectly in my tank, with the exception of having to cut one of the pieces (my tank is 30" X 12"). But the tiles are just a wee bit (about 1/4") too big! How can I cut off that small of amount from the edge of the tile? I've already tried using the scoring/cutting method (got the tool that scores and then you're supposed to be able to snap it) and it's not working too well. I do not have a wet saw. Any suggestions?

 

[GeeEssFore]

My home depots around me cut. I have my own wet saw so I just do my own. I use slate in my tanks since I found out that many other tiles dont hold heat well.

 

[lucia]

I like your tanks. What kind of background do you have in the tank with the magnetic hide?

 

[GeeEssFore]

Its just a exoterra one. Its actually a pain in the butt if crickets get behind it

 

[98XJSport]

When I did the tile in my tank, I found that 12+6=18, but 6+6+6 did not? Just the way they manufacturer them, I suppose. So, you may have to do 2 6x6 pieces, or something like that. I had to cut a 12" in slightly less than half and put it with a full 12 to get the 18" width of my tank. It just took some playing around.

I then used the broken/cut pieces and made a hide and a feeding platform. Bought the extra tile, might as well use it

 

[GeeEssFore]

Ya my 20 long I used 12-12-5 1/2 and my other tank I had to use 12-12-6-6

I just bought all 12" and cut them to size. Home depot did the 20 gallon ones for me for free. I cut the others