I am in the process of researching and designing some custom enclosures for my Chahoua geckos. I will discuss my plan below as well as some of my concerns. Specific questions are numbered and italicized, which will hopefully make them easier for members to locate and respond.
I plan on having the custom enclosures built using acrylic with a misting system nozzle installed in the top of each. I am drawn to acrylic for (i) the light weight relative to glass, and (ii) the lower price compared to ABS plastic. (1) Are there any issues/problems related to using acrylic?
One of my biggest concerns involves achieving the right amount of ventilation while still retaining humidity. I feel like it's a catch 22: I understand that Chahouas need a good amount of humidity to thrive (more so than Crested geckos) and although ventilation is very important, the more you provide, the more difficult it is to maintain that higher level of humidity.
I currently use plastic tubs and find that the air in the enclosures seem to smell "musty" not long after thorough cleanings.
One tub has two rows of holes drilled entirely around the sides; the second has three rows of holes around its sides. The enclosures are each kept with paper towels on the bottom (roughly 2 - 3 layers), a plastic plant, a piece of cork bark, and a wooden dowel, which is how I plan on keeping the new enclosures, as well (at least to start.) I mist the enclosures twice each day, usually one time more heavily than the other.
Two days ago, I took each enclosure "apart" and washed everything with warm water. I then dried off all the items well and put it back together. I have not had any gecko diet or crickets in either enclosure. In addition, I do not notice any gecko waste (i.e., feces), either. I have noticed, however, that after just 36 hours, each enclosure smells a bit musty; the one with the two rows of holes drilled around it much more so than the one with three rows of holes.
With the new enclosures, I plan on having round screen inserts (either 2" or 4" in diameter) and/or larger square screen inserts installed in the new custom cages. My preference - from a purely aesthetic point of view - is to have a square screen section installed in the top, only. This would allow me to mist one side of the enclosure without risking water being sprayed out the side. If side ventilation is important, though, I may be able to aim the mister nozzle away from that screened portion. Moreover, another advantage of having screen on the top, only, is that I wouldn't have any screen obstructing the views from the front/back.
(2) Is there a strong advantage to having side ventilation instead of top ventilation (or both)?
(3) Would installing a fan be very helpful?
Any other input/advice is more than welcome, too!
I plan on having the custom enclosures built using acrylic with a misting system nozzle installed in the top of each. I am drawn to acrylic for (i) the light weight relative to glass, and (ii) the lower price compared to ABS plastic. (1) Are there any issues/problems related to using acrylic?
One of my biggest concerns involves achieving the right amount of ventilation while still retaining humidity. I feel like it's a catch 22: I understand that Chahouas need a good amount of humidity to thrive (more so than Crested geckos) and although ventilation is very important, the more you provide, the more difficult it is to maintain that higher level of humidity.
I currently use plastic tubs and find that the air in the enclosures seem to smell "musty" not long after thorough cleanings.
One tub has two rows of holes drilled entirely around the sides; the second has three rows of holes around its sides. The enclosures are each kept with paper towels on the bottom (roughly 2 - 3 layers), a plastic plant, a piece of cork bark, and a wooden dowel, which is how I plan on keeping the new enclosures, as well (at least to start.) I mist the enclosures twice each day, usually one time more heavily than the other.
Two days ago, I took each enclosure "apart" and washed everything with warm water. I then dried off all the items well and put it back together. I have not had any gecko diet or crickets in either enclosure. In addition, I do not notice any gecko waste (i.e., feces), either. I have noticed, however, that after just 36 hours, each enclosure smells a bit musty; the one with the two rows of holes drilled around it much more so than the one with three rows of holes.
With the new enclosures, I plan on having round screen inserts (either 2" or 4" in diameter) and/or larger square screen inserts installed in the new custom cages. My preference - from a purely aesthetic point of view - is to have a square screen section installed in the top, only. This would allow me to mist one side of the enclosure without risking water being sprayed out the side. If side ventilation is important, though, I may be able to aim the mister nozzle away from that screened portion. Moreover, another advantage of having screen on the top, only, is that I wouldn't have any screen obstructing the views from the front/back.
(2) Is there a strong advantage to having side ventilation instead of top ventilation (or both)?
(3) Would installing a fan be very helpful?
Any other input/advice is more than welcome, too!