leachie/auric cages

[bleeding_sarcasm]

first. on our leachie cages. we bought 4 1x2x3.5 class cages. took out the bottom screen and has clear plastic cut, siliconed in the bottom piece for a water tight seal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages028.jpg

we also siliconed in cork oak, let that dry 48 hours, stapled in pet screen to create a "pocket" filled the lower 1/3 with whole moss, then planted pothos directly into the cork oak, and covered the plant with cocoa tek. we left 1/2 the cork oak as hides for them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages036.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages041.jpg

this is the effect it created:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages066.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages081.jpg

we then planted more pothos and plants directly into the soil in the bottom.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/leachiecages084.jpg

then we stapled whole moss bundles in cracks to cover the visable silicone,.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/moss003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/moss006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/moss004.jpg

finished product:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/cages026.jpg

[GeckoFiend]

Very cool setups. I wish I had time to maintain cages like that.

[bleeding_sarcasm]

its not the much maintanance. spray daily, replace top soil and clean glass monthly. everything else basicly takes care of its self. i still feed in deli cup containers. and those are easy to remove and wash. i think there is a big steriotype going around that naturalistic cages are hard to maintain. i would consider pulling out news paper and paper towels every few days more annoying.

[oscar]

they look awesome. how do you access them? it looks like fromteh front, but do you have a panel that just comes off or does it slide, etc?

Scott

[GeckoFiend]

I currently use cypress mulch as a substrate, with cork bark, driftwood, and grapevine as decor. When I clean a cage though, I completely break it down, spray everything off with the hose, scrub down the tank, and set it up again.

How do you remove the feces from the plants? Just spray them?

[bleeding_sarcasm]

the front screen and plastic slide up to provide access into the tank. if i pull the tank out, i can take them off completely, but i rarely need to, and the cealing stopps it from opening all the way, then gravity keeps it closed.

i use cocoa tek as substrate, with cork oak, i find that grape vine has a tendency to mold if used close to the substrate, so im only using it temporarily in the male leachie cage till i can get thicker logs for the last 2 cages.

i try and spray the feces off the plants whenever i notice it.. when i clean it, i take off the top 1/3 of the soil, [its about 4 inches thick] and under that is usually virgin soil, so i toss the dirty stuff, take the leachie out. clean the glass, and replace the top soil over the potted plants in the cork oak. every 3 or 4 months ill remove all the soil, wipe it out [i cant totally spray it out] clean the glass, let it dry at least 24 hours, and then set it back up.

the moss is a relatively new thing, so ill probably rip that off and replace it every so oftin. even tho whole moss lasts quite a while. its not on the top of anything, so the only contact it really gets is with water when i spray it.

[oscar]

sarcasm, have you tried a bio-active substrate? sounds like you are almost there as is. i have not tried it yet, but i'm sure we have some members, such as Deven, who could be specific on what you'd need.

Scott

[Lvbandeds]

Very nice set-up.

[Toyvet]

Beautiful setup...Thanks for posting

[Toyvet]

Hello...
Would it be possible to see the cages with the door opened on each ?
Also what glass cages did you purchase to start with ?
Thanks

[bleeding_sarcasm]

the cages were 1x2x3.5 long initally. i cant really open the door all the way, because to slide the pieces out i would have to take the cages down off the shelf. and they weigh alot with all that dirt. also, i cant open them part way, because they use gravity to stay closed. We'll see what i can do, ill try and take some pics today.

[bleeding_sarcasm]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/cages031.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/bleeding_sarcasm/cages034.jpg

both segments move up to allow for access into the cage.

[Monte - Powergeckos]

Thanks for the detailed explanation and pictures. That is a wonderful enclosure.

[bleeding_sarcasm]

thanks. and it seems that we have devoloped a bioactive substrate. ive been contemplating getting a millipede for each of the cages to help along with the break down of the poop.