Reptile & Amphibian Forums

2 Q's

Darwin is now in his big tank. I rearranged it AGAIN and will post pics later

?#1 - I have a very heavy rock for a basking site sitting on top of two smaller rocks to create hide. The rocks are at one end of the tank (75 gal all glass) - is this a problem? I knwo that if filled with water it would far exceed the weight of the rocks, but wondering about the unblanaced weight on the glass.

?#2 - I MIGHT use sand with him later (reading everyone's posts, sites and books to help me decide) and it seems to be recommended to change it completely about once a month - how the heck do you get it out?? I have to stand on a stool as it is just to wipe up his poop (it is on a 23" stand and the height of the tank is 21" - and I am only 5'2" tall ;-/)

thanks for the tips!

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

rocks will probably be ok as long as they don't fall. as for cleaning out the sand just use a dustpan to scoop most of it out and use a vaccuum for the rest. then disinfect everything and fill with new sand. i put the old sand in a 5 gallon bucket and dispose of it accordingly.

www.badassbeardies.com

Lele,
If you do decide to go with sand...I would use some sort of liner on the bottom to make it easier to change. Like a tarp cut to fit or a heavy duty trash bag. That way you can just pick the whole thing up and dump it out. As long as your meticulous about scooping the sand...a complete change once every month or so should be fine. And get to posting the pics! Although I liked the setup you had originally...it was beautiful
-Nicky
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What does friend mean to you?
A word so wrongfully abused
Are you like me, confused
All included but you
Alone...
The sounds of silence often soothe
Shapes and colors shift with mood
Pupils widen and change their hue
Rapid brown avoid clear blue
Why’s it have to be this way?
Be this way
Flowers watched through wide brown eyes
A child sings an unclaimed tune
Innocence spins cold cocoon
Grow to see the pain too soon
-Alice In Chains
2.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo, Layne, & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah
1.0 Betta

I know what you mean about having to stand on a stool too get things in and out of the tank. I have to do the same thing since my males tank is up pretty high. I usually have my husband help me get it the tank down to clean it but if you don't have anyone to help you get the tank down I'd suggest getting a shop vac if you decide to use sand. I know that my husband might not always be around to help me clean the tank because of his job so thats what I plan on doing when he's not around. I want to see the new pics of his tank too since I plan on rearranging my beardies tanks and I'll need some idea's for my babies tank.

well, since I don't have the husband and no room to store a shop vac I guess I'll try wisk broom and vacuum. As for cleaning the tank - uh, it's 75 gallon (weighs about 140lbs empty) so it will not be taken down often for cleaning - windex, nolvasan and paper towel will have to do. As it is, I had to get my big burly neighbor to help me get it up the stairs and onto the stand! Maybe every spring and fall it will go outside for a serious cleaning - have to see when George (burly, but very nice, neighbor is around - lol!!). I am pretty obsessive about cleaning stuff out.

thanks!

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Some beardies like to lick things to investigate them. If they lick too much sand they could get impacted plus sand is a pain in the butt to clean and to change in a big tank.
Even using a step stool I found it easier to change the paper more often. Also with a big tank like that I found that getting them a plastic rock replica or using wood made cleaning easier. it's safer if it topples too. Also try getting a bag of sand home from Home Depot or other hardware store. The small bag they have weighs about 60 or 70 pounds. I lugged one home once and it cured me of ever using it again. LOL
Unless you get a lot friendlier with the burly neighbor!

good idea - what about crickets hiding in the bag or other liner? Does their poop sort of ball up and easy to remove - like clumping cat litter? Do you bowl feed your crickets when you use sand?
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

It would be easier and cleaner just to not use sand at all. Non stick shelf liner or plastic table cloth makes cleaning much easier
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PHLdyPayne

thanks - that makes sense - lol!
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha