Small day gecko hatchling enclosure options?

lauraleellbp · #1 10-08-2011, 11:39 PM

I'm researching options for raising small Phelsuma and Lygodactlus hatchlings, and trying to decide if I want to take a totally DIY approach, modify some ZooMed or ExoTerra vivs, or perhaps go with something like this Protean tank

I like the simplicity and space-saving design on the Proteans. Not being able to see one in person makes me slightly nervous about the sliding door, though- IDK how much of a gap there might be between the two sliding panels? Anyone have any of those?

Or other suggestions?

colinmelsom · #2 10-09-2011, 04:38 AM

I keep all of my Phelsuma in these type of vivaria.I like sliding doors whether they be top to bottom or side to side rather than hinged doors.Day Geckos tend to run upwards when frightened so there is less chance of them escaping with a top to bottom sliding door.
The only worry that I would have is that there seems to be no glass runner at the bottom of thesliding door and I wonder if the glass could get chipped.

daggekko · #3 10-09-2011, 10:18 AM

I put my hatchlings in Kritter Keepers. There are 3 holes I have had to plug in the lids that the babies could escape from, but with a folded up piece of paper it is no problem. I don't know how much smaller Lygos hatch out so these might not be a great idea with them.

There is a strip of heat tape under the keepers now to help keep them warmer. Once the babies start to not get along I move them to 10 gallon grow up tanks

lauraleellbp · #4 10-09-2011, 10:23 AM

I've heard several times that L. willamsi and P. klemmeri both are small enough to go through the slats in KK, so I know those won't work for the smaller species- though I may use them for P. m. grandis. I definitely have plenty KK laying around since they're also what I use for my Crestie hatchlings...

daggekko · #5 10-09-2011, 11:56 AM

Yeah I wonder if you could get some sort of a plastic food container and cut a hole in the lid and use window screening to keep the geckos in.
Target:MP FILLED PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL
Like this!! And they are tasty too!

colinmelsom · #6 10-09-2011, 12:29 PM

I have used plastic sweet containers like those pretzel ones but they had two big disadvatages.I use ultraviolet tubes over mine and the lids were really too small to cut a big enough hole for the guaze to allow light penetration.The second was that the baby geckos were forever escaping when I opened the lid.
I have spoken to a few people about this and they remedy it with either a cut stocking or fine mesh material tied to the bottle neck.They leave a long end on the open part and then tie that aound again so you place the food in via this.The best way that I can describe it is a crab/lobster pot arrangement.I think that this would work with your Kritter Keepers .

daggekko · #7 10-09-2011, 01:34 PM

That is a good suggestion! If I ever get babies small enough to have to worry about I'll give it a go!

Sgvreptiles · #8 10-09-2011, 01:51 PM

I use to work at protean terrariums. Those tanks you posted i called guillotine tanks. They had a small gap on the top that baby klemmeri can get out of. Protean tanks are nice and I have many of them. But the sliding door leaves a gap that many geckos can get out of. Kind of a pain. Ive been making tanks before I worked there and have found that a simple flip open door is the best way to go for hatchlings. If made right, there are 0 gaps that not even the smallest of geckos can get out of. Heres a couple that house P klemmeri and P cepediana sorry there dirty with waterspots. I dont clean them to often as i dont like to mess with them.

But you get the idea. Really easy to make a cheaper then ordering cages from protean.

colinmelsom · #9 10-09-2011, 01:58 PM

I seal any small gaps with silicon strips tht are used by Dartfrog enthusiats to keep fruit flies in the vivariums.Would this not work on the Protean vivariums?

lauraleellbp · #10 10-09-2011, 06:30 PM

Jeff- you think DIYing some like yours would be cheaper even if you had to have the glass cut by someone else? Cutting glass isn't something I've got any experience or comfort with... :/ I've debated making some out of plexiglass, since Lowes will cut that for free for me, but by the time I bought all the materials I'd need, I think I'd have about as much invested as those Protean tanks cost, and then my own time on top of that...