Tokay Tank Landscaping Advice Needed

stevmac · #1 01-11-2012, 10:11 AM

Ok I have a tokay in a 30 gallon tall an I have 4 medium size exo terra hanng plants on the back wall as well as the one side also I have a live potho plant but im thinking on getting a 3d rock background but im conflicted bc when i mess around to much in his tank he gets very stressed but will the background beneft him? if there is anything else I need for him I would love some opinions thankyou

Tjmphx · #2 01-11-2012, 11:34 PM

I've got 10 tokays. I use loose pieces of cork bark as a background. They're easy enough to remove and clean they don't seem to cause to much stress when moving around. I also have a few that hate anything done to their tanks. Pothos and spider plants work great. The more hiding the better. I've even got one male I had to use auto window tint (limo) to help keep him calmer. I've got a buddy that uses 3" diameter PVC pipes
for hides.

stevmac · #3 01-12-2012, 11:13 AM

Thanks I'll have to pick some up mby ill try the pvc as well I just put a new floor plant it seemed to create more shade thanks again

**Riverside Reptiles** · #4 01-12-2012, 02:33 PM

They love (and require) lots of vertical hides. Keep in mind that they are arboreal and don't like to spend time on the ground unless they have no other choice. I use pvc tubes a lot as they are cheap, easy to get, easy to clean, and last forever. For a little bit extra time and money you can make the pvc blend in pretty well with a more naturalistic look by painting it. It's nothing fancy, but it definitely makes them blend in better than just plain pvc.
Here's a link to what I do to mine: DIY - quick, easy PVC tubes...

Tjmphx · #5 01-12-2012, 03:42 PM

That's an awesome idea Ethan. I've been using stainless steel wire to attach pieces of PVC to suction cups to hide them on the back walls behind plants and bark. They make it easy to pull eggs for incubation since tokays always stick them to something. I'm gonna have to get to work now. Weekend project is in order.

stevmac · #6 01-13-2012, 09:07 AM

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice ill be going up to home depot this weekend

Ingo · #7 01-13-2012, 01:29 PM

I would not at all put adult tokays into a 30g.
How can they run, jump, hide, thermoregulate?......they are 1 footers.

best

ingo

**Riverside Reptiles** · #8 01-13-2012, 03:49 PM

I'd convert the 30g into a vertical enclosure personally. At least then it would have some height to it. Fish tanks really don't make great tokay homes unless they're turned vert.
They're really not tall enough for such a large arboreal gecko.

stevmac · #9 01-16-2012, 10:45 PM

yup I understand the 30 isn't the best but it is a vert tank over 24in in ht an every care sheet I've read has said that its fine for a single adult

Housing:
Tokays are large, active geckos. A minimum of 18"X12"X18" is needed for a single adult, with more space highly advised. These territorial animals need more space if kept in pairs or groups, with a area of 24"X18"X24" optimal for a pair. This is not to say you can't make the cage bigger, bigger is better and the animals will use the space. Don't house male tokay geckos together and be careful mixing females, some will fight. Provide at least two hide areas, one in the cooler area and one nearer the basking spot. This allows these secretive animals to thermoregulate and still remain hidden. Large branches, pieces of cork bark or drift wood should be provided as perches. Plants, either life, fake, or both are required for these animals to feel at home. There are many safe plant species, choose some with large leaves and that do well in low-light conditions. Snake Plants, Pothos, Crotons, Bromeliads and Philedendrons are some popular choices. Open space is not as important as these lizards prefer to remain out of sight usually. PVC pipe or bamboo(2" diameter for adults) make excellent shelters and often are used as egg sites. Provide a water dish with clean water. Misting is important as most tokay geckos will not drink standing water. Mist twice a day or more often to maintain humidity. Substrate can be paper towels or newspaper for an easier setup, or a more natural substance like cypress mulch, perlite-free potting soil, peat moss, sphagnum moss, or coconut fiber. If using a natural substrate, use a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay pellets to prevent saturation of the substrate. Bioactive substrates can remain in place for years is properly maintained.

This is from the care sheet off this site but thank you for your concern when I get into my house i was planing on getting a hold of a 36 tall exo terra apt kinda small

**Riverside Reptiles** · #10 01-16-2012, 10:57 PM

You'll greatly increase the vertical height of the tank if you convert it to a vertical enclosure though. You do this by flipping it on its end and making the "top" into the "front". It's not hard to do, it'll look a lot cooler, and it'll provide a ton more vertical space. It also gives it a much smaller footprint which means that it takes up a lot less space in your house as well.

And as far as care sheets go, just because it appears on this site does not mean that everyone agrees with it. It's simply one persons general opinion on care. Personally, I don't believe in using "minimum" requirements as a standard. I much prefer to try to achieve the maximum standard with my animals. However, nobody was criticizing you...only trying to help you.