Slate

[Alwayshotroddin]

Hi guys,

I recently put my 2 adult geckos into a new enclosure. It's custom made (I made the earlier post about the Custom Wood Reptile Cage Company) so the bottom of the cage is made of formica - like a kitchen counter top. I don't think the formica is holding heat like it should for my geckos and I don't want to create any digestion problems.

I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a different bottom for my tank? I've seen many of you recommend slate tile - can I get that from Lowes? What does it look like? Cost is not really any issue for me, I just want to have healthy and happy geckos so whatever is best for them than I will buy. I've considered a substrate to put in the botttom also but I've read so many difference of opinions that I think I will stay away from that.

I would appreciate any advice - I'm probably going to add to their tank this weekend. Thanks so much!

 

[Master_Shake]

Slate or ony other sort of indoor outdoor tile works very well. Make sure it's not heat resistant. I'd go to Lowe's because they can cut the tile there for you, just be sure to measure the actual floor space first and give some room so you can remove it for cleaning.
As far as looks go, there are so many different types it's really your own preference.
I fill the cracks on the sides with desert sand from exo-terra. It's small grain and there isn't enough of it to creat an impacting problem.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I love my slate. I bought mine at Lowe's which they cut for me. I needed only two pieces (12x12) so cover the bottom of my tank and it came to a grand total of $2.12, I believe. There are even cheapers ones if you wanted. Make sure that you get tiles that have a rougher texture so that your leo is not sliding around on it. As Christopher said, make sure it is also not heat resistant. My told holds heat very well, looks ver nice and natural, and is very safe. In my opinion it is the best substrate if you dont have 100 leos to house. The picture I attached is old, so don't go by the setup. It is missing a few things, but it is my best picture of the tile itself. Hope this helped!

EDIT: As already mentioned, it is almost impossible to cut the tiles perfectly so you will have crackes wither between tiles or between the tile and glass. I filled mine with sifted playsand and it works great!

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

WOW!!! That slate looks AMAZING in that enclosure. Very Nice!!! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Scott&Nikki]

WOW!!! That slate looks AMAZING in that enclosure. Very Nice!!! :main_thumbsup:

Thank you very much! Ever since I put it in my leo is having much better sheds too. She is able to use it to rub against and I think she gets better footing. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Alwayshotroddin]

Thanks so much! The pictures posted definetely gives me a good idea of what to look for. I'll probably go to Lowe's this weekend and try to figure something out. I will eventually have 5-6 geckos in the enclosure... that won't cause problems with the slate right? Right now I just have 2 adults and my 3 babies are housed separately in a small tank until they get bigger. Can you get the sifted play sand from Lowe's as well?

 

[StinaKSU]

I use tile...you don't need to get actual slate....ceramic works well (ceramic is what I use...I got a box of it for under $8 on sale at Home Depot...lol...they can also cut tile btw, at least at most stores)...you really just have to make sure you don't get a glossy tile as they can have trouble with footing on glossy.

 

[jmkbama]

I am using slate tile and a natural looking medium sized pea gravel to fill in the cracks and I am spreading a few pieces just around on the tile. I am no expert by any means but from what I have read and researched that would be pretty close to their natural rocky/gravel desert environment. I got my gravel at a local pet store and my tile at Home Depot. I decided to build my own enclosure (just to see if I could), I had looked at the custom cages you ordered and that is what I am using as my design. When I talked to them they said the formica would hold heat with an under tank heater. I am going to use both an UTH and lights in mine. I figure the lights will heat the slate tile and other rocks for belly heat if the UTH doesn't heat it up enough. I am going to put a thermostat on either the light or UTH, probably the Lights. The lights will also be good for the natural plants I am using. Just thought I would throw in my two cents to the post.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Thanks so much! The pictures posted definetely gives me a good idea of what to look for. I'll probably go to Lowe's this weekend and try to figure something out. I will eventually have 5-6 geckos in the enclosure... that won't cause problems with the slate right? Right now I just have 2 adults and my 3 babies are housed separately in a small tank until they get bigger. Can you get the sifted play sand from Lowe's as well?

How big is the enclosure if you are going to have 5 leos? Make sure no more than 1 of them is male or they will fight. If you have 1 male, you need to be prepared for them to breed, also (if you aren't already - I don't know).

 

[Alwayshotroddin]

How big is the enclosure if you are going to have 5 leos? Make sure no more than 1 of them is male or they will fight. If you have 1 male, you need to be prepared for them to breed, also (if you aren't already - I don't know).

My enclosure is 42" X 18" X 18". It's a 59 gallon enclosure. I actually have 2 of them so I'm crossing my fingers I have no more than 2 males. I think the 2 older geckos right now are females but they are still young enough not to have laid eggs yet. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it if all 3 of my babies are males! Hopefully that's not the case though!

 

[Alwayshotroddin]

Jmkbama -

I didn't realize that you could use a UTH for the custom made tanks? I know the flooring is made of formica but I figured since the cages are wooden that it might be a fire hazard? If I can use a UTH then maybe I won't have to buy slate after all. I've been leaving my black light on all day and night but it would be nice not to use that if I could use a UTH - or at least use a smaller wattage light with the UTH. I'm glad you posted that! I'm going to have to do some research myself on these cages!

 

[CoolGecko]

ok slate looks good and all but how do you clean the slate. I use sand but was thing about slate. Sand is easier to clean. I dont know about slate any ideas

 

[Scott&Nikki]

ok slate looks good and all but how do you clean the slate. I use sand but was thing about slate. Sand is easier to clean. I dont know about slate any ideas

Slate is extremely easy to clean. You just take it out and do whatever you do to disinfect, whether it be soap, vinegar, baking, whatever. Once it tries (and rinsed enough, if needed) you just put it back in. I find it much "easier" than sand because it is a one time purchase for about $3.

 

[Lyndsey]

I use reptile carpet now. I did have sand in the tank for like a week...but I didn't want to risk my little buddies health