Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Please don't get onto me about the sand in the picture. That is one of the reasons why I am posting this.

I have had my Leo for about 2 years. she is 9" and still growing (since reptiles don't really ever 'stop') she is very healthy and i have never had any problems with her.

i only recently discovered the dangers of calc sand - the book i bought, and all the petstores told me it was the best for them, and have always used it. i don't like repti-carpet, its just too much of a pain, and want something prettier than papertowels. Has anyone ever tiled the inside of their terrarium?? i figure this is easy to clean, non toxi, can't be eaten, and i would never have to buy expensive sand again. someone please give me feed back on the tile idea?

also, i had never had a humidity hide before, i only recently learned about those as well (here at kingsnake.com) i don't believe my book said anything about it. although i never had any problems with maxine, i still worry about her and made a ghetto humidity hide as you will see below. it's just a tuperware container filled with wet tropical substrate. does this need to be on the warm side or the cool side??

thanks alot!!
hethe [zombielove]

As far as I see it if u never had any problems with the sand don't worry about it, but if u do wish to be on the safe side u can put tiles in. But make sure to have some sand within. What I mean is to don't cover up the area where she uses the bath at. Leave some sand it saves u the trouble of cleaning off the poop off the tiles. Also to answer ur second question: Most people do use the tubberware humid box. Some use wet paper towels, other use peat moss. Any of the two would work well, just make sure it's on the warm side of the tank and is moist everyday.

Tiles are becoming a very popular choice for substrait! its awsome because its super easy, cheap and clean! and it also looks great! when you first get it make sure you watch the temps under your heat lamp (or over your UTH) as dark tile can really hold in the heat. The humid hide looks good, although i do agree with you that it looks getto!! dont get me wrong, its great if you have tonnes of geckos like a breeder, but not for a single lizard display tank in your living room! but you can easily disguise them, just hot glue some silk plants around it, or use a DIY rock cave (instructions coming soon to my website!) to cover it up. i'll post up a pic of my viv, with the humid hide circled (other wise you would never know!!!) latter.
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0.2.0. Leo
1.1.0. WTF
0.1.0. Irish Setter
2.2.0. Holland Lop Bunnies
1.1.0. House Cats
Too Many Fish!

Check out my site ~ www.freewebs.com/stephsgeckos

There really is nothing wrong with using sand as long as precautions are taken. I used the calci sand (overpriced) for many years before switching to playsand for my adults. My newest setup has a combo of sand and tile, I used 2 different colors of tile and put play sand between the tiles. As far as your humid hide, it isn't all that bad. I use the same for my geckos, mostly for ease of cleaning and convienence. You can see them on the "dark" side of the new enclosures. As long as you are meeting all the needs of your geckos (and it sounds like you are) you are a step ahead of some keepers.

Wow, nice setup! What brand are those cages? Where can I get them?
Thanks

Thanks for the compliment. I actually built those myself. If you live near Atlanta I will be building & selling some of these. If you don't live near Atl, you can get the materials list, step by step instructions, and see construction pics on my website: www.freewebs.com/herptips/
They are actually pretty easy to build and cost about $200 for materials (not counting the fake rock, which is also on the website).

i was just about to ask the same thing!!! they look like something from LLLReptiles