The Rocky Way- A Naturalistic Substrate

H

happy gecko

New Member
Messages
91
*This Idea Was Approved By Golden Gate Geckos*
*This Is Not My Original Idea, I Think Someone In Europe Came Up With It*

Anyway, lets get down to the bottom of this! (Ha Ha Corny Joke!)

IDEA: real slate rocks as bulk of substrate w/ a little bit of non-silica playsand as filler between gaps in rock (so geckos do not get there toes caught). The rocks are only about 1" thick max, so they should allow heat from the UTH to pass through. To create hiding places, simply stack a couple pieces of slate and silicone together so cannot shift and hurt gecko. This could allow you to create a sort of jungle gym hide with multiple entrances and levels.

CLEANING: you can remove the rock and wash/scrub off. If feces in gap between rock, can try to remove with spoon or other implement. Whole thing is removeable so you could completely remove everything and do a thorough cleaning as often as you desire. Remove rocks from tank and put in 5 gal bucket. Suck sand from tank with wet dry shop vac. Wash down tank with wet rag and water to clean glass of excess sand and dust, then spray with Quat Plus, wipe dry (do not rinse off- defeats purpose of cleaner). Put rocks back in tank, then add a little fresh sand in between rocks. Done

This is just a rough draft, so feel free for constructive critisism (sp?) and comments.

SOURCES:
Herp Supplies.com (for slate)
Big Apple Herp.com (for Quat Plus cleaner)
 
Last edited:
Lena

Lena

I question all things.
Messages
1,073
Location
Pennsylvania
My question is.. If papertowels, newspaper, and tiles have been used so successfully, what's the point? :main_huh:

It's like you're trying to find a way to make sand usable.
 
L

LizMarie

New Member
Messages
2,002
Location
NYC
Sounds nice and have heard it mentioned before but just seems like too much work and I really don't like dealing with sand period it seems so messy. People might want to be careful using those slate rocks because since they are like broken in piece they can have very gagged edges that can possibly cause cuts.
 
T&KBrouse

T&KBrouse

K, the Crazy Snake Lady
Messages
1,560
Sounds like an interesting concept to me. I'd love to see a picture to get a better idea of how it works.
Guess I'm just one of those weirdos that try different things to make enclosures nicer looking. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
 
H

happy gecko

New Member
Messages
91
Valencia: it was just an idea for those who wanted a more naturalistic cage for there geckos, I'm not saying you have to switch from paper towels or tile- just another option. And no, I'm not trying to fanagle a way to use sand, it is mostly rock, just sand as a filler for the few gaps between the rock to prevent toes getting caught.

LizMarie: you do not have to use sand, you could use river rock as gap fillers as well, but as I said before, it is not for everybody. Its just another option for people who would like to put in extra work so that they could have a little more naturalistic cage for there geckos. The jagged edges is a very good point BTW. You would have to judge the rock to make sure it is safe. You could also use limestone, sandstone, even large pieces of river rock (very smooth) if you can find them. Actually river rock might be a better option in general. I will check out local garden shops to see if I can find anything.

T&KBrouse: that's the spirit :) ! Sadly, I cannot provide you any pics as I do not have my own geckos yet (I'm sure people will have a field day with this new info). I could try to walk you through it though to get a better idea.
 
T&KBrouse

T&KBrouse

K, the Crazy Snake Lady
Messages
1,560
Thats okay. I think I understand what you mean. I'll probably be picking your brain a bit after the holidays, though, if thats okay.
I love puttering around with enclosures to make them interesting for the animal and piece of living art for everyone else to enjoy. I got a lot of flack at one point for adding plastic gardening tools to a ball python enclosure to give it kind of a garden theme. They were PLASTIC. No sharp edges whatsoever. Lots of little hiding spots with flower pots, etc.
I dunno... Guess we're just wired differently, huh? :D
 
Golden Gate Geckos

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
Messages
12,730
Location
SF Bay Area
People might want to be careful using those slate rocks because since they are like broken in piece they can have very gagged edges that can possibly cause cuts.
Click to expand...
I advise people to use a grinder to smooth out the edges of sharp natural slate, and use aquarium sealant to adhere pieces together.

I've seen some lovely natrualistis vivariums set up this way, but the downside is they are not easy to clean.
 
T&KBrouse

T&KBrouse

K, the Crazy Snake Lady
Messages
1,560
I was wondering how to soften the edges without making it looked "carved." Thanks for the tip, Marcia!
 
S

Snowy & Petra de Gecko

Guest
Technically Speaking

I think a grinder has a wheel that turns with a circular stone. The stone moves around and around like a tire on a car.

The Grinder is made of a hard material and you then use it much like a sander. But instead of using the side of the grinder you use the spinning ends. Or should I say the side that the side that a tire is in contact with the road on.

You could also get a Dremil Tool and buy a grinding disk and do the same thing.

Also sandpaper of a course grade or a steel file should also work.
 
S

SLY

Guest
Snowy & Petra de Gecko said:
I think a grinder has a wheel that turns with a circular stone. The stone moves around and around like a tire on a car.

The Grinder is made of a hard material and you then use it much like a sander. But instead of using the side of the grinder you use the spinning ends. Or should I say the side that the side that a tire is in contact with the road on.

You could also get a Dremil Tool and buy a grinding disk and do the same thing.

Also sandpaper of a course grade or a steel file should also work.
Click to expand...

Dremel is best for smoothing jagged edges out, but for shaping, if you have access to a belt sander, that's the way to go. You can make pieces fit together like a self-supporting puzzle of sorts.




I might have something like this in the works soon.
 
S

Snowy & Petra de Gecko

Guest
Belt Sander

Oh, Yes a Belt Sander (I can here Tim on a Home Improvement ReRun ... Ohhh, Ahhh, Yeaaahhh).:D If you have one or access to one they are great.:main_yes:

But, if you don't then a Dremel will work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Visit our friends

Top