My DIY Tank for Two!

[Akari_32]

I bought a nice little TV stand from Goodwill for $5, and decided that it would be awesome for a custom tank. I bought glass a couple months ago, along with a large ReptiTherm heating pad, a new cave, and some cleaner stuff called Wipe Out 2 on PetMountain. Then tonight I bought 7 12x12 natural slate tiles (they are totally AWESOME!), and 8 2 inch diameter and 1.5 inch thick PVC fittings to support the bottom of the tank and raise it up so the underside can accommodate the heating pad.

The foot print of the tank will be 19"x23" (I think 23 inches, Its been a while since I measured LOL), and it will be 13 inches tall. I plan to cut the tiles into 1/4ths, because I've only got one red tile, seen in the pic, and I'd like it to be "spread out." I also think the tank would look better with smaller tiles, rather than larger ones (do you guys think so too?). I'll just have to see how it looks when the tank is together. Should get it siliconed this weekend

Pics! Two of the tiles





One of the PVC pieces. I think I may want more. The slate is super heavy and the glass is only 1/8" thick, and the foot print is huge.




The TV stand, and a close up of the spot where the tank will go. It currently holds two 10 gallons. (excuse the poop! They get poopy when I feed crickets Its really only been about 4 days since I cleaned them!)






The tank will also have a shelf along the back, with a ramp on either side. And these two cuties will be sharing it






Any tips, feedback, etc, are welcome!

 

[kingkung]

Cool!

Sent from my HTCONE

 

[Akari_32]

Thanks! We had a water heater emergency today, so we didn't get to start on the tank, but better no tank than a flooded house!

The girls met face to face last night and did great. Hopefully I can get them together again tonight. Depends on when the movie is over lol

 

[Akari_32]

The tanks all done! Looks pretty good. Not bad for my first try LOL The seams are little sloppy, but it's not holding water so what's it matter?

Mom came up with the idea of building a wood sort of stand to support the glass and hold the tank up off the tv stand of the heater. We will do that rather than the PVC things I bought.

Aaaand, both these geckos decided they actually wanted to male (Raven on time, but Orchid several months late >.< Both were temp sexed female!!). So, this tank will house only Raven, the spoiled brat. I'll spruce up Orchid's 20 long for him, since that'll now be his permemant home.

 

[Akari_32]

Update on the tank!

It's almost set up! Just need the last two pieces of slate (they were a teeny bit too big), the top (just emailed Glass Cages about having one built, and need to figure out my final touches for the styrofoam back ground and scape, and the cling background. I decided to go with a divided tank, so that I can make myself some room. Pictuuuuuures!

Full tank shot

Either side of the divider. It's two pieces of glass with the sheets cut and facing the right ways. That way I can change them with out any gooey Vaseline to deal with!

I installed the divider with sticky furtinture feet so I can remove it at needed.

 

[Akari_32]

So, I've decided I don't like the tank divided. Rowan will be moving back to the 20 long and Raven will have this tank. There's not enough room to do anything fun in there with the divider in. I will customize both tanks with styrofoam and grout and the boys will have more room to roam and a better heat gradient and what not.

I emailed GlassCages.com and they said they wouldn't make a top for "another manufactures tank." WTF?? I built the stupid thing, and gave them a picture of the tank, the SAME ONE posted above. You honestly can't say this tank looks anywhere near professional, can you? It's built into a 1990's TV stand, for gods sake! What company in their right mind is going to build something like that to sell?? After being shot down (for no good reason), I emailed them back and said that I personally built the tank for my own use, and have since been ignored. I thoroughly plan on giving them a piece of my mind if I don't get a response in a few days, and then taking my money elsewhere (which I'm sure this is a near $100 project if I sourced it out). This is just freaking crazy. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks they are snobbish, either. Hmph...

Anyways, I now have plans to try and build my own top with screen frame, as open and flexible metal screen/mesh as I can find, and some other odds and ends. The goal is to make it slide front to back, since the tank is taller than expected with the wood frame on the bottom, and there isn't enough over head for a hinged or double top (to open or remove the front piece). Hopefully I can figure it out!

 

[Chris_Kingto]

hey. do you need a heat mat if you already have a light that heats up the terrium? and is 50 watts good?

 

[Chris_Kingto]

did you cover the whole top? and do you need to cover it if the gecko cant even escape?

 

[Akari_32]

I have a large ZooMed pad as well as night (purple) heat lamps. The air temp in my room gets cool at night due to the fan, so the lamps keeps the temps up at night. The only reason I use a top as of right now (with no escape routes) is to hold the lamps up. When the styrofoam background is installed, a proper top will be needed.