Problem with tile flooring

[biggiy05]

I just put some slate tile flooring in my cresties 10g tank. I went to clean the tank out today and I noticed there was water collecting under the tiles.

There is less than an inch of open space around all four walls but the water is collecting when I mist the tank. Is there a way to keep the water out from under the tiles? I thought about paper towels or a towel but there's a chance mildew will start growing.


Another question about humidity. I'm finding it harder and harder to keep the humidity up in the tank during the day. I mist the tank daily, usually morning and night with a spray bottle but the humidity levels keep dropping. I looked at foggers but s/he is only in a 10g tank.

 

[acpart]

Consider switching to a planted tank with coco fiber. The plants keep up the humidity, the "soil" absorbs the water and the gecko poo nourishes the plants and you don't have to clean it. To do it properly, it's best if your 10 gallon is oriented vertically. You would need a 1 1/2 to 2" layer of clay balls (hydroton or LECA), a layer of mesh and then about 2" of coco fiber. I have kept a crestie in this set-up for over 2 years and he is happy, healthy and humid.

Aliza

 

[LeopardGeckoMom52688]

I use just coco fiber and don't have a problem. Just make sure you have a small under tank heater to keep from growing mold or a light that gives all zero to no heat just enough to evaporate the water.

 

[acpart]

I actually don't use any heater with the planted tank except an incandescent light for the plants and a bit of heat in the winter (in the summer Spencer goes into his basement condo on hot days). As long as the enclosure has proper drainage (clay balls on the bottom) there shouldn't be a mold problem.

Aliza

 

[dunderpate]

on natural is the way to go in my opinion. You can interpret that however you want but its meant for this thread.

 

[98XJSport]

Or simply going paper towels instead of tiles...

 

[LeopardGeckoMom52688]

we do use paper towel too. very easy to keep moist and no mold.

 

[WftRight]

If you put a undertank heater under the floor and used a rheostat to dial the heater to a low setting, the water that collects there might evaporate into the cage giving you proper humidity without heating the cage too much.

 

[RepBex]

that last idea is a good idea i do say so my self

 

[98XJSport]

The only problem is the water vapor won't go through the tile. It would need to come out around the edges. To do that with any signifigance, you would need to boil the water...

 

[WftRight]

Actually, you wouldn't need to boil the water to get plenty to go between the pieces of tile. First, as long as there isn't too much air flow in the tank and too low a humidity in the room, you don't need a great deal of water to rise between the tiles to maintain humidity. Secondly, if a little bit of heat isn't evaporating enough water to prevent mildew, then a little bit of air flow to keep the water evaporating may solve both problems.

 

[biggiy05]

Consider switching to a planted tank with coco fiber. The plants keep up the humidity, the "soil" absorbs the water and the gecko poo nourishes the plants and you don't have to clean it. To do it properly, it's best if your 10 gallon is oriented vertically. You would need a 1 1/2 to 2" layer of clay balls (hydroton or LECA), a layer of mesh and then about 2" of coco fiber. I have kept a crestie in this set-up for over 2 years and he is happy, healthy and humid.

Aliza

Any suggestions for plants? I'm going to do some research on what plants work best for cresteds soon as I bring my self to finish this paper for class. I'm going to buy an Exo Terra glass terrarium next week I think. I like the size of them and it's easy to access.

 

[acpart]

Any suggestions for plants? I'm going to do some research on what plants work best for cresteds soon as I bring my self to finish this paper for class. I'm going to buy an Exo Terra glass terrarium next week I think. I like the size of them and it's easy to access.

Here's a New Caledonian native plant that does well in my crestie tank: split leafed "Epipremnum pinnatum". It grows vine-like. Any of the tropicals should do well, like bromiliads. I also have a miniature ficus benjaminus (or something like that --a tiny fig tree) that isn't doing so well. Sanseviera will proably do well also. I also have a fake vine that I twisted around and this is kind of a base for the crestie to sit on and for the other vinelike plants to twine around.

Aliza