Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will soon have an empty 30 gallon and i want to get a tokay. I have researched and know they don't need UVB, that they like crikcets and other live foods, and their substrate and environment requirements. Here are my questions:

How do you guys keep up your humidity? I have a small pump and hose and I was planing on making a system to spray water into the tank, a sort of misting system. Do you guys have any tips on how to make a misting system?

How do they drink? Will they drink from droplets formed by the misting system I mentioned?

For heating, what do you guys use? I wanted to put a light on them at night, for night viewing. Are the black-colored lights better or the red ones? What kind of thermostats, rheostats do you use? How do you manage the nightime temp drop?

What thermometers and hygrometers should i get? Is the flukers one good, or should i get a different one? I am going for cheap here.

Do they prefer a vertical or horizontal branch? Do they prefer thicker branches or thinner ones?

Also, i was thinking of using one of those weaved finch houses as the arboreal hide. will that work?

Thanks. I know this is a lot, but I want to be thorough.

I will soon have an empty 30 gallon and i want to get a tokay. I have researched and know they don't need UVB, that they like crikcets and other live foods, and their substrate and environment requirements. Here are my questions:

How do you guys keep up your humidity? I have a small pump and hose and I was planing on making a system to spray water into the tank, a sort of misting system. Do you guys have any tips on how to make a misting system?
. . . . I just use a mix of peat moss, orchid bark, and sphagnum
moss about 3 inches deep and I mist heavily every few days.

How do they drink? Will they drink from droplets formed by the misting system I mentioned?
. . . . From either drops from being misted or bowl

For heating, what do you guys use? I wanted to put a light on them at night, for night viewing. Are the black-colored lights better or the red ones? What kind of thermostats, rheostats do you use? How do you manage the nightime temp drop?
. . . . Reds put off more light and animals cant see infrared light so that will work fine. I dont use any thermostat or rheostat just use different bulbs till you find one that puts you at the heat you are looking for . . daytime in the 88-95 range and night time to 75-85 range. Easily done by turning off the day time light. You can use a small 25w bulb if you have to be able to see them at night.

What thermometers and hygrometers should i get? Is the flukers one good, or should i get a different one? I am going for cheap here.
. . . . As long as it tells what you want to know they are all pretty much the same.

Do they prefer a vertical or horizontal branch? Do they prefer thicker branches or thinner ones?
. . . . About as thick as their body is good. And they will use both

Also, i was thinking of using one of those weaved finch houses as the arboreal hide. will that work?
. . . . They might use it. . .couldnt hurt to try. Mine use PVC as hides so you never know.

Thanks. I know this is a lot, but I want to be thorough.

Okay, about the night bulbs-did you say the black light or the red bulb was better? Sorry, i didn't understand.

So you use a substrate of orchid bark, peat moss, and sphagnum moss. How often do you change it? Also, i plan on adding a water bowl just in case kind of thing. does it really need to be deep or just shallow?

The branches I plan on using will be a little thicker than their bodies i believe-like 1.5-2inches in diameter. These should be fine, right?

Thanks for the speedy response. I appreciate it.

Adding on to my last post-

Do they need a temperature gradient? Do they need a basking spot? Does it matter if the temp gradient is vertical or horizontal?

Thanks

Change the bedding whenever it actually starts to smell. . once or twice a year is all I change mine.

The water shoudnt be deeper than they are tall if that makes sence. so they cant drown in it

I would use a red light but I personally dont use a night light I let mine fall into the 70s at night.

1.5 - 2.5 around on the branches is fine.

I have a Exo-Terra 24x24x24 I use for mine. I have a heat light on the back left corner and they climb under it for heat and move away when they wanna cool off. They will also sit on the branches a about 8-10 inches below the light and just hang out.