Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is my tank big enough? My dragon is finally eating normally after being lost by the shipper for 4 days, shedding, and coming to live in a new environment. So now I need to buy crickets in bulk. Can I efficiently house 500 in my 10 gallon tank?

Gwen

Yes, certainly.

Provide sufficient egg crate peices, air ventilation, heat and a pine shaving substrate. Offer nutritious food and liquid gel suppliments in a clean plastic tray. Remove and replace food items daily.
CRICKET CARE SHEETS

-----
CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

Thanks! I already do all that, but I usually only have 4 dozen crickets at a time. I'm looking forward to saving money by buying in bulk.

Gwen

It really depends on the size of crickets...you can get more crickets in a 10 gal the smaller they are. For adult crickets, a 10 gal would be a little cramped. Plenty of ventilation and egg carton (and food, several food dishes and water dishes would be best). Personally I would get a good sized rubbermaid container and cut out a part of the lid and cover in screen for the crickets. More room and easier to clean. Also, you can cut sections on the upper sides and cover with screen (aluminum screening as crickets can chew through fiberglass and vinyl screen) to improve ventilation. You can have two same sized containers ready and w hile one is dirty you can move the crickets into the other and clean the old container so it's ready for the switch back.
-----
PHLdyPayne

I keep mine in the rubbermade container. The 10 gallon tank is NOT tall enough to prevent escapees. Once you add some egg crates they'll be able to jump out very easily without even trying. To clean up I just move crates from side to side doing one side at a time. As for the ventilation I keep lid completely off. Get the tallest rubbermaid that you can find. I have 17" tall container and it holds 500 adult crix comfortably and 1000 a little overcrowded but still works OK.
Irina

I agree 10 gal is too small your going to have a high percentage of deaths with lack of space. and remember when you get them and the eggcrates that come with the crickets ate just as tall as the 10 gall and trying to dump 500 crickets in at once is going to be tricky because they are going to ne jumping all over the place some in the tank and a lot out and when you try to grab an escapee 5 more will jump out after and after believe my been there done that. its kind of funny i wish i had some one video tape me doing this i would of sent it to americas funniest home videos. go with the plastic tub . good luck
Rich Banfich

www.designrreptile.com