Visionarium & Other Front-Opening Tanks

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LeapinLizard

Guest
Hey All!

So, I have a small dilemma that I'm trying to figure out. My leo lives on my computer desk. This way, he gets lots of love and attention, mainly involving me wiggling my fingers in the direction of the glass, and keeping him amused as to "what the heck is that fool girl doing?" He actually doesn't get as much handling as he could because of the way his tank is placed, and it can be a real pain and hassle to get his stuff taken care of each morning because I have to move his tank.

Allow me to demonstrate with a simple Photoshop line drawing. Observe:

desktop-lineart.jpg


As you all can see, 'Dony's tank is on the second shelf, and there's about 2" of space between the shelf above it and the screen. The desk is the only really flat surface in my room (unless he wanted to spend his entire time in the closet thing in my room) so he's staying where he is.

Ideally I would like to get a front-opening tank. There still would be 2" of space between the top shelf and the tank screen, but at least with a front opening tank, I would not have to move the tank several inches forward to be able to take the top off to change his water dish. Plus, 'Dony likes to make things extra sparkly fun by pooping behind his moist hide, and that's loads of fun to clean up.

I think a front-opening tank would really make things easier for me. Right now, I'm looking at a visionarium (mainly because I've found several website -- LLLReptile among them -- that have them, so they seem more readily available) the ventilation on the side seems like it might be a good thing for my rather ventilation-lacking room overall.

Any idea what kind of UTH is best for that kind of bottom though? I'd probably end up getting reptile carpet and just cutting the edges to fit the rounded bottom.
 

MonteQ's

New Member
Messages
518
I use a 6x8" Zoo Med UTH on mine. I was able to use a tile floor, it just took some creative cutting to get it to fit properly...
 
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LeapinLizard

Guest
And it looks like I'm definitely getting a visionarium once I'm ready to order. I wrote to Glasscages.com, but I'm not anywhere near a delivery point, and they said it's near impossible to ship a front-opening one.

Your lamp appears to be an umbrella. :)

Yup :D

Actually, it's one of the shape templates in Photoshop, and since my lamp sort of looks like an umbrella anyway ...

... you get the picture. ;) (I'm lazy, really)

"extra sparkly fun" HAHAHA i love that phrase

I love it too. I have this small failing in life ... apparently, it's some sort of witty disease.

I use a 6x8" Zoo Med UTH on mine. I was able to use a tile floor, it just took some creative cutting to get it to fit properly...

Thanks! I've got a ZooMed right now, although it's stuck to the 10 gallon, so I'll have to get a new one. I just wasn't sure how it'd work with the plastic type bottom.

I use ultratherm 6 x 23" heat pads. They fit very nicely and work well. I found that the 6x17 didn't heat the tank well enough.

I'll look into that one too. Thank you. :D
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Nancy

New Member
Messages
26
Location
Missouri
I use a regular 10 gal aquarium and lay it on it's side. They make clips to hold the top on which make it very easy to open and close.
 
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Felix

Guest
Nancy that is so smart, why didn't I think of that? I am doing that for my crested,lol XD

Pardon me, but (and I could very well be wrong) isn't it generally encouraged to give Cresties a tall tank, as opposed to a long tank, as you're suggesting?
 

rhino43grr

HERE WE GO STEELERS
Messages
579
Location
PA
why don't you put the tank on the top shelf and the lamp and alarm clock where the tank is?
 
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GatorGirl286

Guest
i love how the leo in the tank is just a yellow blob with dots. lol. cute.
 

Zynx_Keekeio

New Member
Messages
1,169
Pardon me, but (and I could very well be wrong) isn't it generally encouraged to give Cresties a tall tank, as opposed to a long tank, as you're suggesting?

Oh no your right, I meant I have is horizontally on it's width side, that how come I never thought to have it on it's width side, and you were very right :)
 

bitterbeauty

Animal Lover
Messages
453
Location
High Point, NC
I have 4 visionariums and I use the 6 x 23 ultratherm heat pads from the bean farm as well with a rheostat. I love the ultratherms because they are much more consistent than the zoo med heat pads and don't have hot spots that randomly go up to 114 degrees. You need to keep in mind that the visionarium's vented sides really effect the temperature inside the tank so I don't believe the 10 gallon zoo med would heat it effectively.
 

MonteQ's

New Member
Messages
518
The 6x8 ZooMed is rated for 10-20 gallons, and does the job just fine, through tile no less. I do have my visionariums in a book case, so that might explain why I haven't experienced the heat loss others have mentioned.

I do not affix the heat pads to any of my tanks for several reasons...more consistant heat, a buffer in case of failure, occasional adjustments, portability...easy to replace should the need arise. Depending on the tank, and temperatures, I have used chip board to raise it closer to the bottom of the tank when necessary. This, of course, does not negate the need for a dimmer or thermostat...

I have never used the Ultratherm heat pads...a bit curious though. How are they? With the length you are using, are you still able to get a sufficient heat gradient?
 
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LeapinLizard

Guest
lol That is exactly what I was thinking. :main_yes: However, I always like to find 'excuses' to buy fun, new things.....;)

The top shelf is too narrow. It's a ladder type desk where the shelves get narrower as they go up.
 

LizMarie

New Member
Messages
2,002
Location
NYC
I never used those type of tanks but think they're really cool. you just have to make sure it fits in on your shelf. since its the same size as a 20 gallon Long. I think they're also made of arcylic. I'd in invest in one because I know I'll always have room for more geckos, LOL since id just stack them all up.. lol
 

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