is this okay?

[Franklinj480]

The styrofoam-grout technique is awesome. Both of my enclosures have all their hides and decor made from it. Want to add a second level? Well its basically just a platform supported securely by pillars. What you choose to make it out of is entirely up to you. Get creative! You have a 20long? well Its dimensions are perfect for 12''x12'' tile. You could liquidnails some stacked tile fragments together to make pillars and attach them the underside of a full tile. voila - second level.

To address the sand discussion, I had the same idea - tile/sand mix for looks. I fed on a sandless slab of tile. Sure enough 2 weeks later (despite having calcium available) my leo's poo was half sand. He went out of his way to find it and eat it. I removed the entire substrate and redid it with full tile. As I said before the 20longs dimensions were very convenient for tile, I didn't have to cut any of them. I think it looks better than the messy sand/tile mix.

 

[panthergecko]

yeah got 20 long no sand

 

[Dog Shrink]

Visually appealing... yup... sand... no where but in his litterbox... high end vinyl simulated slate tiles stuck inside the tank (and fyi a 20 long is actually about 11 3/4 wide on the inside once you compensate for the silicone along the inside edge seals), all natural rock I collected and sanatized to make his hides and extra levels... leos are crepuscular mid range desert dwellers that live in rocky craigs... they come from packed earth deserts not loose sand deserts so loose sand is NOT natural to them... also just an FYI leos can become impacted on coco fiber as well... again it is not a recommended substrait for your viv. For a moist hide or a lay box yes but not for the entire viv floor. ANY particle substrait is dangerous.

Just before everyone jumps on me for lighting the light was just used for the picture. All eros has on a regular basis is natural light that comes in the window near his viv. Blue moonlight is a better option than red bulbs as many leos are put off by the red, esp. albinos. If you need to suppliment heat that your uth isn't putting out for proper temps then I would suggest a 60-75 watt moonlight blue bulb. I have never seen a leo react badly to the blue bulbs. If your leo is in a dark room with minimal lighting you can also use a 15 watt regular incandescent bulb to help with a day/night cycle, but only if that is a really dark room with no natural lighting.

As far as suppliments go I always find the all in 1 suppliments to be the most foolproof. Something like Repashy superfoods calcium plus icb or T-Rex brand leopard gecko dust icb by sandfire foods are the ones I use and suggest to everyone. No need for an extra calcium dish in the viv, you dust every feeding or every other feeding depending on the age and condition of your leo.

I must say I'm a bit disappointed reading some of these replies. Some of yas are being really hostile and that is really disappointing... we want to help people learn the proper ways, not debase them and humiliate them for asking questions (no matter HOW many times they ask the same question), or insult them for not taking our advise. All we can do is provide the best tools we can for new herpers and encourage them to go down the proper path. Remember you get more flies with honey than vinegar and being an ass only makes you look like well... an ass....

 

[sunshinegeckos]

I dont see anyone being hostile. I know i wasnnt meaning to sound hostile i was just trying to help. If i came across as hostile sorry.

 

[LeopardShade]

I do apologize as well, if I had come off as rude in any way. I don't mean to be, just trying to help.

 

[NinjaDuo]

Visually appealing... yup... sand... no where but in his litterbox... high end vinyl simulated slate tiles stuck inside the tank (and fyi a 20 long is actually about 11 3/4 wide on the inside once you compensate for the silicone along the inside edge seals), all natural rock I collected and sanatized to make his hides and extra levels... leos are crepuscular mid range desert dwellers that live in rocky craigs... they come from packed earth deserts not loose sand deserts so loose sand is NOT natural to them... also just an FYI leos can become impacted on coco fiber as well... again it is not a recommended substrait for your viv. For a moist hide or a lay box yes but not for the entire viv floor. ANY particle substrait is dangerous.

Just before everyone jumps on me for lighting the light was just used for the picture. All eros has on a regular basis is natural light that comes in the window near his viv. Blue moonlight is a better option than red bulbs as many leos are put off by the red, esp. albinos. If you need to suppliment heat that your uth isn't putting out for proper temps then I would suggest a 60-75 watt moonlight blue bulb. I have never seen a leo react badly to the blue bulbs. If your leo is in a dark room with minimal lighting you can also use a 15 watt regular incandescent bulb to help with a day/night cycle, but only if that is a really dark room with no natural lighting.

As far as suppliments go I always find the all in 1 suppliments to be the most foolproof. Something like Repashy superfoods calcium plus icb or T-Rex brand leopard gecko dust icb by sandfire foods are the ones I use and suggest to everyone. No need for an extra calcium dish in the viv, you dust every feeding or every other feeding depending on the age and condition of your leo.

I must say I'm a bit disappointed reading some of these replies. Some of yas are being really hostile and that is really disappointing... we want to help people learn the proper ways, not debase them and humiliate them for asking questions (no matter HOW many times they ask the same question), or insult them for not taking our advise. All we can do is provide the best tools we can for new herpers and encourage them to go down the proper path. Remember you get more flies with honey than vinegar and being an ass only makes you look like well... an ass....

Lol I'm not being an ass. But if a "herper" is saying" is my setup safe, proper, good, etc." I'm gonna tell him the same thing over and over when they are dealing with sand. It's not worth the risk. So what you may think is rude, I consider simplifying... Maybe if I'm more blunt they'll listen. The best thing you can do is not assume someones being rude. He's asking a public forum..... And when I have to repeat myself 3 times.... :I

 

[Dog Shrink]

Did I point at you cody and say "you're being an ass"... no so why assume I was speaking to you, unless you feel guilty of acting less than admireable? If you're needing to repeat yourself and people haven't affirmed your reply it doesn't mean they aren't listening. Maybe they have you on their ignore list and can't see your posts or maybe they don't agree with your omnipotent demeanor. I was simply making a general statement for future posters who chose to voice their opinion on this thread.

For the op franklin had some good ideas just be careful using any adhesivse. Make sure you check their heat rating (the heat at which it melts thus by releasng toxic off gasses)and the manufacturers useage suggestions. That way you'll have an idea of how effective it will be for your set up. With my viv nothing is glued, except the tree trunk holding up the left side hide has a dot of gorilla glue on the top and bottom so eros can't bulldog it over, everything is creative stacking and holds firm on its own. Kinda like making a puzzle and just finding the right shaped rocks for it to be stable. Id be happy to offer suggestions if you decide to go with something like this if you can't figure it out from the picture.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Larger rocks make nice looking props and can be easily washed when necessary.

 

[NinjaDuo]

Lol I hope you're not serious... I'm extremely sarcastic btw. And yeah I did assume... I'm not to sure who else you would be talking to. I prefer being specific. Like if you didn't like my comment tell me and I'll review it to see if it could upset someone.

Sorry If I offended you
have a good day

 

[panthergecko]

my 20 long is huge no slate yet