Rack Set Up Help

[Mystick]

Yesterday, I gotten a brand new rack system. I figured it will be better for me and the geckos, instead of having aquariums all over the place and heat lamps. Now first question is: Do I have to put bedding in the racks? I really don't want to. Without the bedding, it's easier for them to catch crickets, and superworms willl not be able to go under. Also, there's no chance of impaction or getting poked in the eye.

I was thinking about newspaper, but the food gets under that so easily. Here are pics of the rack:

As you can see, the heat tape is in the back, but the back of the plastic containers sit on top of the heat tape too. The person at the pet store said the tape can get as high as 130 degrees, which can burn the geckos. I have a thermostat with temp. control, but I'm worried about the temperature going a bit over, and mistakingly killing my geckos or buring them. So my question is do I have to put substrate over it?

It looks like I have to. So can I put repti carpet over it...it's really thin, so would it offer protection from burns still?

Right now, the geckos are inside of it, but it's not turned on. My room temp. is in the 70s and can get into the 80s, so they should be okay.

 

[leonewbie]

Plastic tends to be very slippery, and the geckos need something to grip onto. Paper towels are the easiest and makes cleaning very easy. If you have a reliable thermostat, set it and check the temps over the first few days more often than you normally would...if the thermostat is working properly and set correctly, it should be fine, but use something like paper towels.

 

[mainelygeckos]

I would also recomend a small dish for mealies if thats what u are feeding them otherwise for crix idk lol those buggers suck far as I'm concerned but if u can feed them from tweezers and the babies take it then thats best .. paper towels is best for cleaning and grip like Amanda said ..good luck

 

[Mystick]

Is it okay to tape down the paper towels, so no prey won't go beneath it?

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Mealies are like non-existent where I live, so it's either crickets, supers, or pinkies. But the supers are in a bowl where they can't climb out, but I also feed them with tongs if the supers are untouched. The ones that don't eat supers have no other choice buy to be fed crickets or a pinky--and the only time I had to turn to pinkies was when the pet shop ran out for about 2 weeks.

Yeah, those crickets are buggers, but if someone has leftovers, there is always someone that's hungry.

 

[leonewbie]

I guess you could tape down the paper towels, but i never have...i would be careful if you are going to tape down the paper towels on the hot side, just in case the heat melts the tape...not sure of the likelihood of that, but i always like to err on the side of caution. It sounds like taping it would be more complicated and more work than it's worth. Breeding mealies isn't hard once you get started, if you were interested...

 

[Barbel]

I would use shelf liner as a substrate. That is what I use and I love it. It is designed to "hug" the surface it is laying on so it stays flat. It is inexpensive and you can cut it to size. Plus you don't have to buy it over and over and over like paper towels. You can just rinse it off when it's dirty and put it back. I wouldn't worry about them getting burned. Even though your thermostat will say it's 95 degrees, I have found it is actually quite a bit cooler in the tub. Our ball pythons' thermostat says 98, but the temp inside is actually 88-89. Our leo thermostat says 101 but it's actually only 91-93 in the tubs. You should look into buying a temp gun, that way you can know exactly how hot it is.
You can also order mealies in bulk online and either breed them or refrigerate them.

 

[dsmalex97]

also, don't use duct tape this can cause injuries as well. When I get my rack going, I plan on using paper towel as well. I wouldn't worry about burning them as long as you have a thermostat. Rheostats and dimmers work great too as long as you are able to keep a constant watch, but for people that aren't around tstats are the way to go. Also make sure your probe placement is right on the heat so it doesn't think its cooler then it already is. Also I don't see it hurting them if you don't put substrate, but like the others said it will most likely sacrafice any kind of traction the geckos have. Carpet, or paper towels I would say personally.

 

[Mystick]

Thanks for all the generous amount of info!

I was thinking the clear mailing tape, the kind you seal boxes with...but I don't see that as very durable with heat. I will look up shelf line though. If not, carpets and paper towels, as you all said. The geckos seem to be walking fine in it, but it's hard to tell how much trouble they really are having, plus, my geckos are big poopers, so some form substrate will be the route to go.

I plan on actually turning the rack on this weekend, when I will be home all day, so I can keep track of them.

My geckos tried mealies last year, like they came from a bird seller that happened to be at the pet store. The geckos didn't know what the mealies were, they couldn't see them, or pick the little things up with their mouths...and they were so small...and it took a lot to get them full. With the geckos in my area, we could always tell what they eat. The bigger, stronger ones eat supers and/or pinkies. The smaller ones eats crickets only and/or crickets. But my mom will kick my butt if I breed bugs in her house.

 

[shanerules]

get some linolium floor tile. It comes in plastic sheets that are easily cutable to any size. thats what I use and I have no problems with food hiding

 

[Dorazio]

get some linolium floor tile. It comes in plastic sheets that are easily cutable to any size. thats what I use and I have no problems with food hiding

doesnt the glue from the linolium give off fumes that are bad?