tile ?

[brookec]

We have a 20 gallon long and are planning on changing over from sand to tile as from reading on here I see that sand is not desirable. <please don't FLAME me for using sand - the 3 diff people I asked in 2 diff. pet stores all used it with their own personal leopard geckos>
What is the best tile size to get to reduce the cutting needed? If you could include how many tiles of which size I need to buy that'd be great.
Thanks!!

 

[fallen_angel]

Unfortunately pet stores sell sand even though it's dangerous - I used sand at first too because the bag claimed to be safe, but those things aren't really regulated by anyone!

I haven't switched to tile yet, just using paper towel. But I would just take the exact measurements of the cage and see if they can cut a piece out that size or something similar

 

[Tommy13b]

I just made a new cage last night, now i need 28.5 in x 17.5 in of tile, and when i frist bought my leo the dude at the pet store said calc sand was safe for your geckos when it is horrible, Id recomend reptile carpet, papertowls or tile.

 

[MonteQ's]

For a 20 long, I used 3 tiles at 12"x12" (Marrazzi (sp). You'll only need to make one cut to fit the remaining space. I cut the last piece to just under 6" so I can remove them easily for cleaning. You might want to have the store cut it if you don't have a tile saw. I tried the cheaper score n snap cutters, and ended up just shattering a bunch of tiles. Not to mention, you may end up with really sharp or jagged edges. Here's a quick pic...The cut is on the right side. Hope this helps...good luck

 

[david13]

id ont know the measurements, but tile works great

 

[andypg3]

A 20L needs 30"x12" of tile, I used two 12"x12" tiles and two 6"x6" tiles. Fit almost perfectly, there are little gaps, but everything is held tightly in place and we've had no problems.

The Home Depot in our are also sells 3"x12" strip tiles, so two of those side by side would work in place of the two 6"x6" tiles. Good luck, it looks awesome with tile and cleans up nicely.

*Our gecko "does his business" in the same place everytime, so I put an additional 6"x6" tile in that spot and I simply pull that out and wash it off each night, simplicity rules.

 

[fallen_angel]

Thanks for describing your tile sizes everyone, that helps out immensly!!!

 

[brookec]

Thanks so much!! This is exactly what I wanted to know! Now I can just stop at the store and pick them up.
Thanks!

 

[GeckoGathering]

Sand To Tile

Hard not to want sand, its more a pleasure to look at.......but I switched too. Now I have carpet in all tanks. Then some I have tile over the carpet. Then some are carpet with partial tile over it..........
A NOTE for getting tile. Best to get a texture finish..geckos Slip when walking on smooth tile.(but not that big a deal) size....make sure you take a tape measure with you. All so called 12" tile does not measure 12." Best if they will cut it for you. Not much charge. About 25 cents a cut.
Most of the tile they call 12" are about 11 3/4" so they will work in your 20 long with out a cut.........a real 12" one probably won't fit without trimming an edge, because I think you will find the aquarium is an outside glass measure...Take care. / HJ

 

[acpart]

Another interesting note: 10 gallon tanks are made by different companies. Some of them are 11 3/4" inside dimension and some are only 11 1/2". The smaller ones won't accommodate a 12" tile. I don't have access to a tile cutter either at home or in the store, so when I plan tile for tanks, I assume dimensions that are 1" narrower than the stated ones (i.e. for a 20 long tank 29" x 11"). Then I buy a combination of tiles that will come the closest to filling that space. For the gaps I either use repti carpet, smaller mosaic or bathroom tiles (not so small that the leo can eat them) or leave the gap.

Aliza

 

[ordinaryoddity]

i just recently set up my tank (still waiting on a gecko ), but the first tile i bought i left at 12" deep, i found this to not be so effective w/ heat transfer because the glue on the inside edges of the tank made the tile not sit on the glass, there was an air gap...

so the second time around i had lowes cut a 12" tile down to 11.5" which made the tile sit perfectly and transfer heat waaay more efficiently

hope this helps and good luck
Andrew