Lygodactylus williamsi Build

RyanGSP · #1 11-12-2010, 12:58 AM

I received an ExoTerra on trade the other day and I have had been wanting a gecko for a while now. I was unsure what species I wanted, I had been on the search for a Crested Gecko but I havent been able to find one I liked so I turned to my other option.

I am a big fan of blue and the Lygodactylus williamsi had always caught my eye. Their small size makes they a great candidate for this build.

I do have a question about them though I havent been able to find out. Will these guys do okay on the Repashy Gecko formula with supplement of bugs? I dont want to feed bugs as they are getting harder and harder to find here with the cricket disease going around. Any help is appreciated.

Alright enough yammering here is the build. BTW its going to be all live plants.

The Exo

Adding the Clay Beads for good drainage

Vinyl mesh so the dirt wont work into the beads

Starting to add the ExoTerra Plantation Soil. If this wont hold moisture I am going to mix in some moss.

All substrate added

I found this at the store. The Groovy Jacuzzi. I really liked how its designed to sit flush with the ground.

I found this nice piece of wood as well. All ready for plants.

RyanGSP · #2 11-12-2010, 12:58 AM

For fertilizer I am going to use Seachem Flourish Excel. Its designed to fertilize planted aquariums so it should work well in this and is safe for the geckos!

For lighting I am going to use the ExoTerra single socket fixture with a 26W ExoTerra 5.0 bulb. On the back I will have another fixture with a small infrared heat bulb. I wanted to use LED to light this but have read the geckos should have UVB.

Here are some of the plants I am looking at for this tank.

Bromeliad Neoregelia 'Olens'

Peperomia metallica 'Colombiana'

Thuidium Delicatulum

Ionantha Mexican 'Blush'

Tillandsia Tectorum

hexentanz · #3 11-12-2010, 03:24 PM

A water bowl is not needed. They will get a sufficient drinking supply from misting. Leaving a water bowl, especially that deep in there could possibly drown them or any offspring which manage to hatch out in the tank.

Fertilizer should also be avoided and is also not needed. The plants will get enough nutrients from the gecko poop breaking down, as well as any leaf liter that occurs over time.

You can feed them with Repashy, alongside some insects. I feed mine fruitflies, firebrats or woodlice on Mondays, Wednesday I feed with Repashy and Friday is cricket/calcium day.

RyanGSP · #4 11-12-2010, 10:02 PM

I picked up a fixture tonight for my 5.0 bulb. Going to see what my temps settle out too. I might have to block the top....or pick up another fixture with heat bulb

Also I am going to remove the water dish as suggested, I am trying to decide what to put in its place. I would really like a low plant but dont know of any tropicals that will work.

Williamsi_Fan · #5 11-13-2010, 07:12 AM

In both of my setups I have pineapple tops. Both my breeding pair and my baby hang out on them most of the day. My guys are very rarely on the substrate. Your setup looks awesome so far. I feed Repashy and they all seem to like it. My breeding pair eat anywhere from 20 to 50 flightless fruit flies daily and a few crickets that I have bred at home. I coat all insects with a 50 50 mix of Exo Terra cal + D3 and a multi vitaimin. The only other suggestion I can make is to check yours when you get them home for mites. All three of my adults came with them. but with a little olive oil and a q-tip its no big deal.

RyanGSP · #6 11-13-2010, 01:18 PM

Picked up some plants this morning and another fixture for a nighttime bulb. Hopefully it helps with temperature when the daylight is off.

I am pretty happy with the way it turned out even though I couldnt find the plants I was looking for.

I have a snake plant in the back. Club Moss for ground cover and I dont remember the name of the other plant. The snake plant is going to grow too tall so I have saved a piece that I will save and swap out runners when necessary.

hypnotoad · #7 11-13-2010, 02:24 PM

looks good man. but be warned... keep that salinginella wet!!!
Seriously, if it dries once you're done.
That said, I love the stuff, super nice looking green color with the extra bright new growth.

RyanGSP · #8 11-13-2010, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the advice. The lady at the green house never mentioned anything about that.

There is about 500 gallons of aquariums in the house both fresh and salt so I am hoping the relative humidity of the air and misting once or twice a day is enough to keep it alive.

hexentanz · #9 11-13-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanGSP

so I am hoping the relative humidity of the air and misting once or twice a day is enough to keep it alive.

That should work, it is how I finally managed to keep mine nice.

RyanGSP · #10 12-04-2010, 06:37 PM

Well good news, I got my geckos today!!! I got a male and a female but the bad news it appears the male has a mite in his front arm pit and the female has one in her back arm pit. Oh well right.

Well here are the pictures. The male is Hemi (he is the same colour of my ram 1500) but I cant think of anything to call the girl yet.

And I love this picture!!