Seeking advice about getting my tank ready

[kyahbean]

OK, so I am nearing the time when I'll have a fatty to put in the tank, and I wanted to make sure that I had everything ready and properly set up. This is my first gecko and most of what I have I learned from care sheets and reading on this forum.

Here is the tank setup:

The bottom of the tank is actually slate, and underneath the slate is a heating pad. The heater heats the slate very evenly. Then I have green reptile carpet down over the whole bottom. There is one light centered on the wood and the cave, which I thought would make a good basking spot. Then I just have the cricket feeder, water dish, and then a hollow rock I was going to put this in:

And wet that and keep that spritzed daily with water as a constant moist hangout for the gecko.

Is this an ok setup? Am I missing anything? Is there anything I should know about, or do differently?

Thanks!

 

[acpart]

Hi,
I've been corresponding with you on the other forum as well. It looks like a nice setup. Here are some things you may want to consider:

--a light isn't really needed since the AFT is nocturnal and probably won't bask. It's OK to use it just not necessary. I actually have a light in my AFT tank because of the plants (more about that below)

--the wood pieces are fine as decoration but be aware that it's highly unlikely that your AFT will climb them (as opposed to leos which are more likely to climb)

--when I got my first gecko I had a cricket feeder and eventually realized that if I keep my crickets elsewhere (I have a lot of geckos and a beardie so I have a lot of crickets) I could just put them in a small plastic container, shake them and dump them in the cage. It's fine to have the cricket feeder, but it also takes up floor space and if you feel it's too crowded you can easily do without it.

Planted tanks can be nice for AFT's (but not essential). I have my pair in one and they are doing well. Here's a picture:

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=21449


I'm glad you've found an AFT. Enjoy him.

Aliza

 

[kyahbean]

Hm, I didn't realize AFTs didn't climb. What do they do, just hang out on the ground? The pet store told me they bask and having a basking spot was important. Do they not bask, either? The pet store had these neat little reptile hammocks, would they use something like that?

I hadn't considered live plants. It seems a lot more work-intensive, but maybe I'll change my mind down the road. Do they like fake plants, or is that just silly?

Maybe I'm trying to make it more complicated than it needs to be...

 

[acpart]

I have much more limited experience with AFT's than other people on here. I do have one pair. I find that both of them are much quieter and shyer than my leos (I have about 22 leos including the babies that I still have to sell) but also much more inclined to just sit in my hand. Since they are nocturnal, it would be unusual for them to bask. My AFT's spend nearly all their time in their burrows, but occasionally I would see them on the side of the tank with the plants, just relaxing under the plants. I see my leos on their hammocks quite often but didn't even think to put one in the AFT enclosure. I don't think live plants are necessary. I set up a planted enclosure because I knew that AFT's do better with higher humidity than leos and I have other planted tanks for tropical species and have enjoyed doing it. Your setup is fine.

ALiza

 

[kyahbean]

Oh, ok. Thanks for your input! I'm excited.