Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[captainmerkin]

I had not overlooked the temperature, but being an all round general genious I some how decided that it would not kill plants and pushed it to the back of my head and got on with my design.

Good advice all round. Few more questions please?

I still really like the idea of having a little pond built at one end, it would be shallow and covered in pebbles only just submerged, also completely sealed from the substrate so no leakage. Would the pond be a problem?

Will start with a male and see how it goes introducing some more over time, I was origionally thinking of a couple of sexed young ones to grow up together.. do they take to new introductions well?

With the slightly cooler end of the viv would it be possible to grow some more interesting plants, are there any hot dryish thriving orchids or grasses?

Certainly loads of options to think about, I am asuming that substrate based on sand with some potting compost mixed into it would be ok.. I know they can eat it and have some problems but as I plan it on being a somewhat live vivarium would sandy/compost mix be ok or should I avoid?

cheers again, thanks for all the help

[Phil1988]

About the pond, I guess if your viv was long enough and had good ventilation on the cool side (as well as the hot side) then I suppose a water bowl sized pool might not be too much of a problem. Although I don't really know
Problems might arise if your leo went to the toilet in it, would be hassle cleaning it again.

[Exalted Gecko]

The pond would cause problems, its not a good idea to have standing water in such a warm environment. An easily removed water bowl is a way more practical option.

Plants that can withstand heat are ok, but insects can and will hide in them, ever heard a cricket chirping all night and day?

Yes they do tend to object to new arrivals, they are not communal animals and have no need at all for companionship. The only way to get them to potentially accept a new arrival would be to sterilize the viv to remove all traces of their scent, and add the two potential viv mates together.

Along with providing numerous hiding places, and crossing your fingers, they might accept each other.
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Kind Regards,

Chris

[captainmerkin]

hehe yeah I have heard crickets chirping all day and all night many many times in my life, sounds lovely for the most part, can wear thin though.

Ok more good points about the water I guess, will rethink that, shame though would have been nice.

somewhat back to the drawing board eh..

what about the substrate though?

[Exalted Gecko]

Sorry I meant to address that. Some people will tell you never use sand, some will say use it but only with adults (like me), some will say just use it.

If your putting very young juve's or hatchlings in there don't use sand, but anything bigger than that is fine. I use it, never had a problem.

Leopard geckos always ingest small amounts of their substrate, the key is to leave a little bottle cap of pure calcium in with them, then they don't eat to much looking for calcium.

With the decor and plants, I always liked the idea of using dried grasses etc, poking out from between rock formations, and you can use drift wood was well to help add character to the viv.
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Kind Regards,

Chris

[captainmerkin]

thanks!

I am really into living vivariums, ie: loads of live plants, soon as I can work out the best type now its all good, but likely to try some normal ones at the cooler end!

[serpent]

If you really must have live plants and water (high humidity) why not get some phelsumas ?
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[Exalted Gecko]

Yeh I would agree with Peter, I mean basically leopard geckos don't live in an environment with loads of plants... They are a rocky desert species...
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Kind Regards,

Chris

[captainmerkin]

I am just looking into some succulent plants at the moment, most likely going to go with peyote and some spinless cacti..

rock plants also as advised I seem to remember these looking a bit like peyote and being flat?

For future reference what species of geckos are "jungle" based and thrive on hot and humid?

[Exalted Gecko]

Pretty much any species that is arboreal, anything from the Phelsuma, Rhacodactylus, Hemidactylus, Gekko etc etc.
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Kind Regards,

Chris