are there any day geckos that can be kept in a standard 10 gallon

[@marko@]

title says it all. considering the temp, and lighting, and humidity and such are all good; can any kind of day gecko be keep in a standard 10 gallon terrarium, and which ones?

 

[acpart]

You could look into phelsuma klemmeri which are very small. I keep mine in an exoterra 12x12x12.

Aliza

 

[@marko@]

wow, they are cute. i will definately look into them. im just worried since the 10 gallon is just 12" tall. im not sure its enough.

 

[baugh]

turn it on end and it will be fine. most of the smaller species will be fine in a 10 gal.

 

[Adrn]

Most phelsuma prefer a setup positioned vertically as opposed to horizontally. Depending on how handy you are, a 10 gallon vertical setup would be fine for the smaller phelsumas.

 

[@marko@]

but if i turn it on end, how would i get UV light in it? (i cant put the fixture on its side)

 

[Adrn]

You could always go with the "daylight" type of bulbs on top and just make sure to supplement them with 2 parts of calicum w/D3 to 1 part herptivite when dusting crickets/flies/etc.

 

[@marko@]

yes but when i talked to a vet here is what he told me:
-geckos need UVB to metabolize vitamin D
-they need vitamin D to metabolize calcium.

so i need a UVB light, which i have; but glass and acrylic block out most of the UV light.



i guess ill just save up and buy a exo-terra (the third size), or maybe just maybe i can convince my dad to help me custum build a tank.

 

[acpart]

yes but when i talked to a vet here is what he told me:
-geckos need UVB to metabolize vitamin D
-they need vitamin D to metabolize calcium.

so i need a UVB light, which i have; but glass and acrylic block out most of the UV light.



i guess ill just save up and buy a exo-terra (the third size), or maybe just maybe i can convince my dad to help me custum build a tank.

Take a look at the book "Day Geckos in Captivity" by Leann and Greg Christenson (published by LIVINGART publishing) where they make the case that when properly supplemented with D3 and the correct vitamins day geckos can do well without UV light. I have had a gold dust day gecko for 3 years and a klemmeri for nearly 2 years without UV light and they are thriving.

Aliza

 

[Haroldo]

Take a look at the book "Day Geckos in Captivity" by Leann and Greg Christenson (published by LIVINGART publishing) where they make the case that when properly supplemented with D3 and the correct vitamins day geckos can do well without UV light. I have had a gold dust day gecko for 3 years and a klemmeri for nearly 2 years without UV light and they are thriving.

Aliza

Aliza, have you attempted to reproduce Phelsuma under such husbandry? Whether animals can be stimulated to live (survive) and whether they can be stimulated to breed (and reproduce successfully), are very different (though not necessarily) undertakings. Just curious and would appreciate an elaboration...

Also, there are over 60 species of Phelsuma. I've noticed differences across intraspecifics, much less interspecifics concerning nutrient/vitamin uptake. I talk with Leanne (and many other "Day gecko" keepers on the regular) and the general consensus: "No UV is necessary" isn't a rule- it rather works (Not using UV) in isolated cases and hasn't been documented well enough across the genus to make a substantial "catch-all" claim...One has to consider the species in question to make a decision concerning the use of artificial UV and THEN has to be willing to revise that decision if the welfare of the animal becomes questioned. I for one have noticed my Ph. guimbeaui and Ph. ornata seem much more active and vibrant when under UV bulbs...

 

[@marko@]

people tell me the same for leos, and i had one for years without UV, but when i added UV she became more active, ate more, and colored up (probably from a tan).

 

[Adrn]

It sounds like you already have the right idea. Either 1. Try to customize your current 10g or 2. Go and pick up an ExoTerra or ZooMed that is prebuilt. I am sure a lot of us here have customized tanks before. It does take some work and time, but is definitely a possibility.

 

[acpart]

Harold, I have not tried to reproduce my day geckos without UV light and actually have no plans to breed phelsuma. So far what I'm doing has worked for my 2 phelsuma but I also wouldn't rule out doing something else if I get better results. Since I got my phelsuma I have also acquired a bearded dragon which I am keeping under UV lighting. I had followed Leann's recommendations about an optimal non-UV lighting choice which according to her would maximize coloration. I am always open to reconsideration.

Aliza

 

[zachattack]

with a few razor blades and some elbow grease you can remove a pain of glass from the end. i am curently doing this for a solo grandis in a 20 long.

 

[@marko@]

what im thinking of doing is removing the top frame, and the bottom frame with the glass pane, and then replacing the 4 side panes with taller ones. that way the tank fits on the stand and my gecko has a nice high tank.

 

[BlakeDeffenbaugh]

You could always go with the "daylight" type of bulbs on top and just make sure to supplement them with 2 parts of calicum w/D3 to 1 part herptivite when dusting crickets/flies/etc.

A ratio of 3:1 works better. Its hard to explain but it does. You dont NEED UV but you still need lighting and you MUST dust every other to ever feeding.

 

[Dean]

I believe all creatures need some form uva/uvb in some degree especialy if you plan on breeding.

 

[Adrn]

A ratio of 3:1 works better. Its hard to explain but it does. You dont NEED UV but you still need lighting and you MUST dust every other to ever feeding.

Help me understand how 3:1 works better. I would definitely start using this ratio but want to know in what ways the comparison has been made and what data confirms this. Are there added benefits in color, activity, breeding cycle? Please advise with anything you have.
Thanks for the reply.

-Adrian

 

[Haroldo]

I believe all creatures need some form uva/uvb in some degree especialy if you plan on breeding.

This is the other extreme of the UVA/UVB debate. There are certainly many "creatures" that never even see sunlight, yet their species persists...

 

[Dean]

Yes but these creatures consume other animals or flora, vegetation which reap the the benefits of uva/uvb exposure. One example would be a flying fox or some other kind of nocturnal animal.