So I have been doing some research for awhile and I have decided i want to completely revamp my AFT's cage. I want to put in live plants, a waterfall with a mote, and a second level. I will be buying a 40G breeder soon and I had a few questions. I have already figured out how i will make the drainage layer, i will get some mesh screening and hydroton balls but i am not sure how i should make the river/mote feature. also, what is the most secure way of making a second level? I plan to make the a basking spot under his light surrounded by thick foliage like a meadow. also, what kind of plants would be safe to plant in the tank? and as far as general upkeep and maintenance, how easy is it to take care of a tank like this?
Project help- live plant vivarium
- Thread starter wgparks
- Start date
Live plants generally require 2 watts per "gallon" unless you use low light plants.
A lot of plants also require a very moist environment. Both are unexceptable for AFT's.
I would use some soft cacti, but I know some are poisonous to dogs and cats - not sure about geckos. It will be hard for you to find any research on that.
You could put your plants in pots, away from where your gecko would touch/eat them.
A lot of plants also require a very moist environment. Both are unexceptable for AFT's.
I would use some soft cacti, but I know some are poisonous to dogs and cats - not sure about geckos. It will be hard for you to find any research on that.
You could put your plants in pots, away from where your gecko would touch/eat them.
GeckoCrossing
Member
- Messages
- 577
- Location
- Hampton, GA
I found this a while ago on plants for herps. I've never made a planted tank. This is just something I found while browsing around 
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants2.html
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants2.html
I found this a while ago on plants for herps. I've never made a planted tank. This is just something I found while browsing around
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants2.html
thanks! This will help a lot
- Messages
- 15,363
- Location
- Somerville, MA
All my AFT's are in planted tanks, or at least as planted as I can get them. What seems to work best is haworthia and aloe. They're very hardy, don't need that much moisture (i.e. not rainforest like my cresties and day geckos) but can take a daily misting (some air plants will rot from daily misting, but you could try some air plants as well). I recommend you re-consider the waterfall and the second level:
--crickets can easily die in the waterfall and it can get pretty gross. It will also get gross if the AFT's decide to poop in it
--I have found my AFT's to be much more burrowers than climbers. I do have second levels for all my leopard geckos (if you do a forum search for "upstairs" or "second level" you'll find some designs) and they use them, but I can't imagine my AFT's climbing up anything.
Aliza
--crickets can easily die in the waterfall and it can get pretty gross. It will also get gross if the AFT's decide to poop in it
--I have found my AFT's to be much more burrowers than climbers. I do have second levels for all my leopard geckos (if you do a forum search for "upstairs" or "second level" you'll find some designs) and they use them, but I can't imagine my AFT's climbing up anything.
Aliza
the waterfall is staying, it will be filtered so it will have clear water and as far as the crickets drowning and pooping in it, i have that covered already, i plan on making a fenced in patch where i will drop the crickets in and they can't get out, but my AFT can get in, that way i can leave crickets in without them doing something stupid or bothering my lizard. and for a second level i was just making a raised basking platform for him really, nothing he has to climb to, i want to have a ramp on it, its just closer to a heat lamp
- Messages
- 15,363
- Location
- Somerville, MA
It sounds as if you've thought it out very well. It will be interesting to hear how it goes. If you'd like, you can document and describe how you do it and we'd be happy to publish it in Gecko Time (www.geckotime.com). Just send me an email ([email protected]) to discuss it.
ALiza
ALiza
that would be cool! i'd love to document it all, ill shoot you an email when i get the project into motion. back to the plants however, i want to throw in some flowers here and there to give it some color, i read orchids are safe and i like those, how well do they keep? and for a personal touch, i wanted a couple blue bonnets...just because they are my state flower and i really like them lol i know my boy (don Juan) won't go for plants, he doesn't touch the potted plants in his tank now. i am also wanting to put in a system that mists the cage during the day to keep humidity up, is this a bad idea? since you said plants can rot, would the flowers?
- Messages
- 15,363
- Location
- Somerville, MA
I've tried lots of different things in my vivariums and often at the end of the summer I'll try some of the plants growing in my window boxes. The problem is rarely the gecko, it's usually the light. I'd recommend going to a good hydroponics store and finding out about the best lighting for whatever plants you want to try. I've totally struck out with orchids, not for lack of trying.
Aliza
Aliza
Visit our friends
