Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 20 gallon high tank (it came with the rescued leos) and it seems like there is just so much wasted space. One of the guys really loves to climb, either on the driftwood in the tank or on me, when he has a chance, so I was thinking that it would be great if there was an easy way to build or buy a second level somehow.

I went out to the local PETCO today to see what I might be able to buy to use in the tank, and I didn’t see anything useful in the reptile area, but I wandered around and found something that might be very interesting to work with to make a second level. They had these heat compressed paper liners for a kitty litter pan, 4 in a pack for under $12.00. and they are very sturdy and measure about 17" x 12.5" x 5". The texture on them is very rock-like, and easy to climb on. It looks as safe as paper towels, and I can cut the form with an exacto knife or regular scissors. They look sort of like paper mache’. They are really lightweight and you can connect pieces by cutting slots and shoving the ends together, no glue needed. I used suction cups to hold this one up. I cut holes and stuck the back ends of the suction cups through. The texture is very rock-like and easy for a leo to climb on.

I thought I'd share this here for anyone looking for an inexpensive way to be creative and to add more exploring area for their leos.

I keep all of my leopards in rack systems which is a great space saver. Have you thought about your gecko falling from that ledge? If it fell to the lower level, even though its a small drop, they could injure themselves very easily. Reptiles ribs are very fragile, and are easily broken from a small fall. I also keep and breed ball pythons, and had a good friend watching my collection while I was on vacation. He was moving hatchlings from my incubator to their new homes and dropped a pied hatchling about 6-8 inches off the ground (putting it in the second shoe box from the ground) and it did die from internal injuries. I was bummed out bad, but it was an honest mistake. Sorry if I am rambling, just thought I would give you a heads up before something bad happens.
Will Wohlers

me neither. it does not sound sturdy. I have succesfully added a second level to some tanks using plexiglass and silicone. These are permanent, easy to clean/disinfect, and very sturdy.
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1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
1.0 SHCT hatched by me! (Sunny)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
0.1 Jungle hatched by me! (Hazy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~30
Available:
11 month male circleback tang

What are rack systems? Is that something that goes inside the tank?

I've been watching my leo run all over the thing, and she seems so sure footed. The texture is nice and rough so she doesn't lose her grip. I don't know what it is with this one, she just loves to climb, and to sleep at the highest point in her tank. Before I built this, she would drape herself over a driftwood log I had leaning up on one side of the tank. My other two leopard geckos have no such arboreal aspirations, lol.

Drumstick (the climber) is sprawled out on it right now snoozing away. I work in the room with them, so I'll keep a close watch to see if there any sign that she might act carelessly on it. I can also turn it to the side so that the only ledge is where the ramp is. It's a snug fit when turned sideways, and I can change the ramp location.

Thanks so much for caring enough to point out the risks.
I'm very sorry to hear about your lost hatchling.

A rack system doesnt go inside the tank, but more think of it as the tank itself. It uses rubbermaid containers that slide in and out of a shelf that is designed to hold them. That way you can have 10 cages in the same amount of floor space of 1 (they go vertical). I dont know I just dont trust this level you have made, but I think if you can turn it the other way and take out some of the "free space" it would be a lot safer. Just a thought
thanks
Will Wohlers

in responce to your rack question...this is what a home made rack could look like...this is part of one I use for my geckos (the rest is under the stairs and i couldnt fit it in the picture)...not fancy but saves space and time on feeding and cleaning. dont mind the mess thats just my probe cord prior to installing it

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we're here because a hobby became an obsession... if only every one had this much fun

some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

Funny you should post to this message again now... I did figure out what the rack system was after I asked about it, but seeing it makes it easier for me to understand. I took down the homemade construction so that I can be certain to make something safe. I just walked in the door with the enormous cabinet I found at a thrift shop with sliding glass doors on the front that I plan to disassemble and reconstruct into a sturdy attractive leo house.

I'm afraid the leopard gecko bug has bit me good... I keep wanting to build them nicer homes and to add to the ones I already have. Somebody stop me before it's too late!

havent been on the forum lately.... figured i would try and help
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession... if only every one had this much fun

some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

THATS SO COOL.

I wish my set up was that cool.

Aren't you afraid your geck might fall from the top though?

That's what i would be afraid of.
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1 leopard gecko- corona
1 japanese chin pup- layla
1 kitty- libby
1 fishie- hoodlum

I make toy prototypes for a living, so when I build something, I make sure it is very sturdy. I think the photo also gives the impression that there is a large area where the gecko could fall, but there isn't. The gap is smaller than it looks on the "free" side, and the ramp is quite wide at the end. The shelf is not weak or unsteady at all.

it looks pretty cool to me! but yes there is the risk of falling. however i have 19 adult geckos and they dont normally jump or fall off. My youngsters are a different story however they think that they can fly, they dont get as far as they hope.