U. phantasticus Vivarium Build (in progress)

Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
Hey there everyone. Well, college has been a long grind, but now that I'm wrapping up, the time has finally come when I can buy myself a few pairs of U. phantasticus. Here are a few pictures of my vivarium in progress. It really needs to grow in more, and the ficus I purchased came in smaller than I had anticipated unfortunately. It's difficult to tell from the pictures, but there is a dense tangle of Cornus florida and Fagus grandifolia branches behind and around the ficus, and many dark nooks and crannies in the wood/contoured into the background for daytime resting. Temperatures and humidity have been stable as well. Do you think that without anymore planting the vivarium would be suitable for phantasticus? For perspective, this tank is 2' x 2' x 1.5', and the piddly ficus is about 13 inches from the soil level to the top. There is a good 16 inches of reasonably dense, fine twigs throughout the tank (doesn't come across well in the photos though I'm afraid). I'm considering trying to find a nicer, more foliated and branched benjamina, but I'm not sure if it's necessary. Thanks for the input, and as stated, it's still a work in progress, so critiques are welcome!

PS, I'm not really sure why that last picture is sideways, the file isn't, lol.

vivarium_1_by_chino2jesus-d3416t9.jpg

vivarium_2_by_chino2jesus-d3416y1.jpg

vivarium_3_by_chino2jesus-d34171t.jpg

vivarium_4_by_chino2jesus-d3417az.jpg


Cheers,
-Matt
 
Ozymandias

Ozymandias

New member
tank looks good personally i would let the tank grow in a bit then decide if you want to add something.
 
J

j_izzle8930

New member
I would reccomend a larger species for your tank. Possibly sikorae? Poor little phants may be lost forever in such a large tank. Or have a hard time hunting.
 
Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
Haha, I know what you're saying. I was hoping to house a group in here eventually, and was thinking of 2.3 or 2.4 for this large of a terrarium. Another reason that I'm not totally stressing about the tank not being grown out enough is that the animals will have a QT period over which the tank can fill out. My thought is that if the tank is still to sparse come the time I want to introduce the group to the vivarium, I can, as suggested, throw a pothos in there. Do you think the tank would be too large even for a larger colony? Thanks for the replies!

Cheers,
-Matt
 
J

j_izzle8930

New member
I keep all my phants in pairs. I dont know how it would go over for you doing a larger group. I think the tank is big enough that you wouldnt have any issues with males fighting but feeding could still be an issue. Enough bugs to keep everyone fed without trying too hard to hunt but not too many that the bugs are stressing out the geckos. I would just do a bigger uroplatus species. Or wait on some input from other keepers. If you are set on phants I reccomend a pair in a 12x12x18 exoterra (if you want to stay with those tanks)
 
Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
I know Mike Curtain used to keep a 2.3 group in a 30 gallon long with success, and others in similar situations, which is why I was thinking 2.4 for the extra gallons might work out. I really have no practical experience though, so the more input I can get the better. I also have some time until I get the geckos, and then more time until those geckos are to be ready for their permanent vivariums, so plans and expectations can be shaped to better suit the animals. Thanks for the insight regardless, it's greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
-Matt
 
tristan 92

tristan 92

New member
j_izzle8930 said:
I would reccomend a larger species for your tank. Possibly sikorae? Poor little phants may be lost forever in such a large tank. Or have a hard time hunting.
Click to expand...

And malagasy people give crickets with tweezers to wild phantasticus in the rainforest to be sure they will find their food ! :lol: ;-)

This is a good size of tank ! you need some other small wood to use the entire volume, but it will be good for a group of 3 or 4 animals !:)
 
M

MonteQ's

New member
Looks nice! They'd appreciate a bit more cover though. They really like to hang out up near the top of the space too. Schefflerra would be a fast growing option...mine love them. A little pothos might be a nice addition as well.

The tank size should be fine for the them. I rather doubt they'd have trouble tracking down food in there. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you can get to most areas of the tank. These guys have a tendency to select really tight lay areas.

If you go with multiple boys, keep a good eye on them. Best of luck!
 
Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
Thanks for the additional feedback everyone. I'll try to add more cover, including some twigs and cover plants towards the front and top of the vivarium. I am very excited though, it has been a long four-year wait.

Cheers,
-Matt
 
Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
Just an update. I picked up another (nicer) Ficus benjamina, and am moving plants around. A couple are clearly not doing so hot in their current locations, so I'll be buying a few more suitable plants as well--so I'll also update when it's "done." I also won that fogger at Hamburg--I wouldn't have bought it for myself, but I'm happy to have it for sure, makes it more fun, I feel more like I'm controlling the weather, haha. It looks tacky sometimes, but when it's not constantly on it's pretty neat to have a "cloud" rolling into the tank now and again. Thanks for looking, and sorry about the vertical pictures being horizontal, I don't know why it's doing that.

viv_update_1_by_chino2jesus-d34dxq7.jpg

viv_update_2_by_chino2jesus-d34dxv3.jpg

viv_update_3_by_chino2jesus-d34dzj7.jpg


Cheers,
-Matt
 
B

Brand0n

New member
Looking Great, i would recommend a larger Uroplatus species though! the Phants are a bit small + the crix will climb youre background and bother the lil guys... either way looks awesome!
 
M

Mallick

New member
Brand0n said:
Looking Great, i would recommend a larger Uroplatus species though! the Phants are a bit small + the crix will climb youre background and bother the lil guys... either way looks awesome!
Click to expand...

IMHO i wouldn't go for a larger species as the height of the tank is 20 inch (correct me if i'm wrong). Mine have a 50cmx50cmx70cm tank and feeding is not a problem. To be sure i see them eat, i feed them twice a week with tweezers.
The tank looks amazing now. I think it would even be suited for a trio ebenaui.
Background made with silicone and ecoearth i guess?
 
Phantasy

Phantasy

New member
Yup--I used Great Stuff and silicone, as well as several pieces of wood and coco-bedding. The tank is 24'' x 24'' x 18'', but with the drainage and soil layers, it probably is about 20 inches of usable height. I don't think U. sikorae or U. henkeli would do well in here, the plants and dimensions of the unit were built specifically for housing a colony of either U. phantasticus or U. ebanaui. Seeing the vivarium in person, it really doesn't seem too large to house a group of adult Satanics or Spearpoints, but on the other hand, I've never kept them before so experience trumps me. I appreciate all the feedback, it's definitely helping me build the tank more appropriately--any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again guys!

Cheers,
-Matt
 
B

Brand0n

New member
Mallick said:
IMHO i wouldn't go for a larger species as the height of the tank is 20 inch (correct me if i'm wrong). Mine have a 50cmx50cmx70cm tank and feeding is not a problem. To be sure i see them eat, i feed them twice a week with tweezers.
The tank looks amazing now. I think it would even be suited for a trio ebenaui.
Background made with silicone and ecoearth i guess?
Click to expand...

ooooh MB it looked bigger from small plants haha sorry i confused myself!
 
Calfirecap

Calfirecap

New member
That's one of the nicest vivariums I have seen and it doesn't need to fill out any more than it already is. You also have a nice amount of open surface which is important. Phants will do just fine int here.

Lawrence
 
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