Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarron
Hey,
So far my to buy list is as follows;
45x45x60 Exo Terra
Exo Terra Glow Light Reflector
45cm Exo Terra Double Compact Canopy
Hydroballs
Plantation Soil
Dimming Thermostat
Digi Thermo/Hygrometer
Zoomed Substrate Mesh
Bamboo Tubes
Jungle Vines
Live Plants (not decided on the types yet)
I've read on other threads that using a 10.0 Repti Glo will keep the temps but using a 40w Halogen should up the basking spot, so Ive gone with the 10.0 Compact and a 50w Exo Terra Sun Glo Halogen (couldn't see 40w)
Also, in the future I may look to invest in a Lucky rep Humidty control unit, for if I'm away over night or what not
So what do you think, does that look suitable. Also, if there are any cheaper ways of doing things, my wife will thank you
Cheers
Tarron
|
Will comment on tank equipment first.
Tank size is good, especially for a pair. They will have lots of space to roam.
Hydroballs not really needed in a gecko tank unless you plan on watering a lot. These are mainly used in dart frog setups.
Plantation soil. Has a tendency to get waterlogged when used on its own. If you use this it is better mixed along with Terra Basis (sand/soil) mix by JBL. This combo when done correctly will make a nice light fluffy mixture. I use this in my tanks, even with a misting system and the soil is never waterlogged and also allows that I do not need a drain system or drainage layer in place.
Substrate mesh. If you really want to use this along with hydroballs, you can get the same product in garden centers for cheaper. I cannot remember the English name (still waking up), but it is used to keep weeds away. Its black and cloth.
If you get the exo tank, I recommend getting a cork background to put in place of the one that comes with it. Too much heat melts the exo background quite quickly. Also many folks have trouble with the females getting behind the pre-supplied background and putting eggs all back there.
On to the lighting.
With the top that is supplied with exo's the mesh does not block as much light as a tighter weaved screen would. So a 10.0 would not be needed imho. You could get away using a 5.0 - 2.0 combo.
The compact light canopy tends to look a little funny with this combo however since one side of the tank will look a different color than the other.
I usually use a double T8 ballast controller from arcadia along with their reflectors and a 5.0 and 2.0 light combo above my tanks. This makes things more evenly colored. I believe Exo-Terra even makes a light top that fits your tank, which allows for T8 lamps to be used, but it is more expensive than the arcadia combo.
The bulb you purchased doesn't come in anything lower than 50w. It is the Halogen Spot which is around 40w (its 35w to be exact). The spot is what most folks use. You can pretty much get a 20w halogen bulb (make sure it is the front heat reflecting kind with UV stop) at any hardware store along with a fixture that fits and a ballast from osram to control it all. In the long run the later option will be cheaper to change out when the bulb dies. You could also get the bulbs from the company lucky reptile all you need is the bulb. Avoid their whole jungle lamp setup, it is a rip off, you could do that whole setup with the stuff mentioned above for 70 pounds cheaper. There is no need for a reflector with this setup.
If you do go with a ballast from arcadia and a DIY halogen heat setup you can build a canopy to fit all of this too nicely following this idea -
http://www.phelsuma-world.de/bilder/BK-T5-08.jpg /
http://www.phelsuma-world.de/bilder/BK-T5-09.jpg
If you do not feel like wiring up your own halogen setup and buy the T8 canopy from exo, only place one of the 35w halogens in there or the tank will become too hot.
I hope all of this makes some sense, I am still really tired. :P
Setting up for an Electric Blue Gecko
![[B][U]Strophurus williamsi 3:2 Group or Pairs..,](http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/./vbclassified/uploaded/thumbnails/402ib9vlcb.jpg)
Linear Mode
