Well, as above, I feel bad for the lack of stimulation my leo's have and I have the intention to create a nice natural environment for them, with reference to their native biotopes. Any suggestions?
How to make a good natural set-up for leopard geckos
- Thread starter snakefin
- Start date
Here's a link to a background I made for mine. It might give you some ideas.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207797
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207797
Yes,its a lovely enclosure. I saw the thread. However, I honestly doubt the backdrop would be within my capability. I'm also wondering how you made the rock formations? And what are you using for substrate? I hear they are naturally found near rock areas.
That effin rawks vicious_fish, I've used the same method but covered it with shredded coconut fiber mixed with acyrlic concrete hardener. You can do one for use with fish by coating the foam with concrete and acyrlic hardener and some people even take the time to paint them and recoat with hardener again. Google it, it's the shizz. Theres even a recipe for making fake live rock out there somewhere, I've done that as well and used it in my reef tank when I had it.
When you use concrete in fish aquariums really take the time to follow all the suggestions given for rinsing it. Otherwise you will have a major spike in alakalinity.
Google stuff like hypertufa too. If you read the info on making fake live rock and the info on making hypertufa it will definitely give you some awesome ideas for making realistic fake rock caves etc.
You can sprinkle sand, gravel, shells on the still wet product to add texture and interest, you can mix it right in your concrete mixture too. I have stuck pieces of slate, branch's, shells, etc in the foam or concrete while wet to give a more natural look.
Also have taken plastic planters zipstripped them to a white plastic eggcrate with an eggcrate base...sort of a frame...then sprayed great stuff on it till it vaugely resembled a tree stump with the planters hidden inside then coated it with coco fiber. Think I stil have one of those...if you want I can post a pic.
The only limits are your imagination.
When you use concrete in fish aquariums really take the time to follow all the suggestions given for rinsing it. Otherwise you will have a major spike in alakalinity.
Google stuff like hypertufa too. If you read the info on making fake live rock and the info on making hypertufa it will definitely give you some awesome ideas for making realistic fake rock caves etc.
You can sprinkle sand, gravel, shells on the still wet product to add texture and interest, you can mix it right in your concrete mixture too. I have stuck pieces of slate, branch's, shells, etc in the foam or concrete while wet to give a more natural look.
Also have taken plastic planters zipstripped them to a white plastic eggcrate with an eggcrate base...sort of a frame...then sprayed great stuff on it till it vaugely resembled a tree stump with the planters hidden inside then coated it with coco fiber. Think I stil have one of those...if you want I can post a pic.
The only limits are your imagination.
snakefin;4465681; said:
Thanks. And no, it's not too hard to build at all. You just need to use your creativity and give yourself a few days to let it cure before you add it to your tank. The rock wall is made of tile grout mixed with play sand. If you follow the thread you'll see how it was constructed.
For substrate I first put down some ceramic tiles and then covered it with mixture of soil and play sand. I have rock work below the soil level which gave them something to dig out and explore (yes, they really do enjoy digging).
One of my best friends is a Marine who was stationed in Afghanistan and he found these guys under flat rocks all the time near rocky faces of hills and lower mountain slopes. He said the soil was a sandy mixture of dirt and dust and in some areas it was compacted pretty well.
Here's my opinion on using sand for substrate. I've used it for 18 years now and I've NEVER had an issue with it. I only use it for adults, not babies or juveniles. People complain about the risk of impaction, blah, blah blah....if your gecko is eating sand then YOU are doing something wrong with it's husbandry. A healthy, well-fed gecko that gets all it's vitamins from gut loaded and/or dusted food will not eat sand. And a healthy gecko that gets a mouth full of sand while lunging after a cricket can easily pass it out. And as long as you have a moist hide for the gecko to gain moisture during shedding you will not have to worry about retained shed on the tips of the toes.
you could do a similar method to this but on a smaller scale. I was able to get this done within a few days and it is a pretty big cage too. I would imagine you could do it in a day or two in a smaller tank:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325718
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325718
very cool^ very similar ( but way bigger!) to stuff I've done...so many years ago..wish I had the darn pics. Meh oh well, you guys all rock with these cool ideas/enclosures, keep them coming.
I've been thinking about doing a viv for something small and common like house gecko's or the like. You guys are inspiring me lol.
I've been thinking about doing a viv for something small and common like house gecko's or the like. You guys are inspiring me lol.