We need some help filling an unused 75gal

[o0 Ryan 0o]

We have a 48L x 18W x 22H 75 gallon tank we haven't used in about a year. It has a combo hood with 4 standard bulb sockets and a big 48in fluorescent blub fixture (that's something to keep in mind). The room its in averages 75 degrees. Anyways we need some ideas on what we can put in it. We're open to just about anything that fit a few conditions though.

An arboreal setup would be sweet, but it's a huge tank to clean. So something a little easier maintenance wise would be better. I think the main thing has to do with food. I really really really don't want to start getting crickets again. I know i could start feeding some to the leos again, but they're such a pain in the butt and I don't want the geckos to go off mealies. I don't want roaches in the house either. I know this limits us big time Snakes are out. I wouldn't mind one, but Val hates them. We're also open to smaller mammals too.

So I guess it comes down to reptiles that can have a staple of any type of worms, veggies, frozen mice (possibly) or a combo of any of these. Also, any smaller mammals are cool too. We don't really have any limits on price either.

Thanks for any input

 

[Ian S.]

Diamond back terrapins are one of my favorite species of turtle and a 75 gal would be perfect!! They do require a bit of maintanence at first,ok alot of maintanence at first. However after the tank is well established it gets easier. Water cleanliness is the key. Here's a cool link!
http://www.diamondbackterrapin.com/

Better yet! More aquaint with your specifications would probably be to find a species of tortoise. I love my red foots. Burmese star tortoises are fantastic although a bit pricey!

 

[Jeanne]

Diamondback Terrapins are cool! Although I wouldn't want to have to clean the tank. I had 2 small Musk turtles that I sold to a guy at work becasue I didn't want to clean the tank anymore....LOL

 

[Tokays_Unlimited]

A few Ackies,or Timor monitors.Personally i like the Rotti Timors against Ackies though.Rotti's have neon blue spots.

 

[RaiQuee]

A dart frog tank! Planted, using some small spot lights and that nice long fixture to light it up. Put in a waterfall with a betta, get some nice darts. Feed em fruit flies. Nothing too difficult. We have a 75 dart frog setup with a group of azureus (sp?). It's heavy planted in a way where it breaks down the waste pretty well. We don't really clean it Just spray and feed!

 

[PaulSage]

How about a Uromastyx? That way, you wouldn't have to worry about bugs, and it would be a lot easier to clean than an aquatic turtle tank. But, if you wanted a shell, I'd go for a Russian Tortoise

 

[o0 Ryan 0o]

I think at the moment, I'm sort of leaning towards a skink. I really like the fire skinks, but they seem hard to find. I'm still not sure what to get yet.

 

[Marc118]

I second the Uro. What about a beardie?

 

[Saladragon]

Yeah, what about a beardie? I know you said you don't want to mess with crix...but I think I could hook you up...just ask Paul.:main_evilgrin:

 

[Val]

We had a beardie before and he just tore through so many crickets that it was hard to keep up with him. I absolutely hate crickets and I can't imagine trying to feed a beardie enough mealworms to fill him up. I'd really like a rankins but we can't seem to find one of those either...

 

[Saladragon]

I know EXACTLY what you mean about the crickets. I absolutely cannot stand them.

If you could find an adult, you could feed all superworms and salads. There are lots of people who would disagree with me, I'm sure...but LOTS of people do it.

 

[Marc118]

I know lots of people feeding silks to younger beardies.

 

[Saladragon]

Oh, well duh. Yeah...and silkies too!

 

[Marc118]

Just wanted to add that if they want a younger one hehe. Nice dragons you got there btw.....wish I had room for another.

 

[Saladragon]

Thanks! We kinda like them too...just kinda though. Yeah, right! Anyway, I think I'll just warn everyone next time before I post right after naptime. Better yet, maybe I'll just stay away from the computer until I've got a little caffeine!

 

[GeckoStud]

Blue Tongued Skinks are a great skink. They are of good size and eat salads along with insects, fuzzies, etc etc i'm sure you know something about them. But i'd have to say these would be great if you like skinks.

I also would third the Uro. Another great lizard.

Chinese water dragons make interesting captives if you have enough room, which you do, and the fact that they are semi aquatic makes for an interesting natural viv. But again with the keeping the water clean...

Reed frogs would make and awesome viv contender! Their colors and variety are amazing. I even have an article for a community viv on them. But they are also extremely hard to find... belive me i've looked...

 

[Jeanne]

How about a Frilled Dragon or a Australian Water Dragon.....Very Cool! You may be able to get them to eat Mealworms, I think when I had mine they were eating mealworms and pinkies, and occassionally I threw in some crickets

 

[Val]

I'm personally torn between a beardie or a hedgehog since we can't find anyone with rankins. Total opposites, I know. Unfortunately, hedgehogs (at least from my research) are illegal in PA. In an ideal world, we'd store the 75 and use the space to get a sugar glider but we're restricted in height because of the curved walls. :main_thumbsdown:

The only downside to the beardie, is the amount of food he eats in a month costs about the same as feeding 12 or 13 of our leos. That's figuring that 1000 supers plus veggies will be enough, but that's definitely a number we'd have to play with until we got the hang of his eating habits.

 

[Marc118]

They do eat a lot when growing, but they love you back!

 

[leopardgecko95]

MORE LEOS!!!! no jk, but maybe a beardie or 2