Need recommendations on new terrarium choice.

R

Reptiloso

New member
Hey guys, i found out during its last general maintenance cleaning that my leo's 20 gal long terrarium recently started cracking at the bottom. I want to replace it, and i was thinking of simply getting one of those "Exo-terra" enclosures; the one that's 12x12x12 to be precise. I want to know if that's going to work for my adult leopard gecko, because i am afraid that i would not be able to have an effective warm side/cool side setup due to it being a bit small...what's your opinion? Thanx for the help!

PS. i dont know if it helps to say this but i plan on changing the substrate from sand to tile.
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
um defiantly not going to work that is not enough floor space for an adult leo. i would just continue to use aquariums there cheaper and there is more floor space. alternatively you could patch up the crack with silicone it's not like you can see it and with you switching to tile the gecko cant get to it.
 
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R

Reptiloso

New member
Yeah about the crack, the thing is, its kind of gotten bigger...and its cracked in a very awkward manner...i dunno if its easily fixable. so the 12X12X12 is a no go...i kind of wanted something a bit different but, 18X18X18 is a bit on the expensive side, would it work?
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
would work better but if money is the issue i would skip the exo-terras to be honest unless you want an aboriginal species in the end though it's your choice.
 
IslaReina

IslaReina

New member
It's definitely easiest and cheapest to go with a new regular aquarium like you have now. the exo terra ones do not have enough floor space, and your money is wasted because leopard geckos are not a climbing species and the height will be wasted
 
Hannibal

Hannibal

Active member
Can you post a photo of the crack in your current set-up, you might be able to just tile over it and not have to buy a new enclosure.
 
R

Reptiloso

New member
well..too late for the crack thing, the bottom broke completely, i have the gecko in a temporary setup. i know a guy who knows a guy who's willing to build a custom made terrarium from scratch. I have to give him the dimensions and the general design. What dimensions do you recommend? remember, its an adult leopard gecko. Another alternative is not doing a glass terrarium, but a wooden one, with holes on the sides for ventilation and a glass sliding door...AAAGH! im going crazy! help please!
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
the question is how big do you want it really, personally i would make it something with a footprint of about 24"x24" but that because i like boxy tanks and thing the added space is better. also are you going to make it look naturalistic with a fake rock background?
 
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R

Reptiloso

New member
adding a fake rock wall would be a project for later, right now i'm focusing on getting the glass structure done. also, you say 24"x24", thats length and width, no? what about height?
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
well high is whatever you want it to be really, for leo's it's all about floor space really and don't take what i say so literally look at the space you have of a tank and build it to those dimensions. you need to be happy with the tank not me lol
 
R

Reptiloso

New member
Well 24x24 sounds ok to me, i was thinkingfor something a bit bigger than a 10 gallon, and 10 gals are 20x10x12 so 24x24x12 does make sense, or perhaps 24x18x12
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
i would go a little higher than 12 inches if it has a front door but if it is a open top tank that would be good
 
R

Reptiloso

New member
yeah ive decided its gonna be an open top! so yeah, this project should start in full tomorrow. AWESOME! :) thanx ozy!
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
no problem, and if you ever want to star a aquarium it would make and awesome reef or planted tank
 
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R

Reptiloso

New member
Hey ozy! Check my terrarium out! i had it made with the same measurements we talked about! (24x18x12). Im still waiting for the silicone smell to fade completely, but i should be preparing it for my leo by tomorrow.

had the screen top made in a "screen shop"

and it could easily double as an awesome arboreal cage!
 
M

Marting

New member
That tank looks really cool! How was it made? I'd love to make something like that and I'm wondering what was involved.
 
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