Switching from carpet to tile :)

[Muffins94]

So for both tanks I'm going to switch to tile. I've never had an problem with my carpet, as I buy a new one every month and clean it constantly. But now with this hatchling it gets stuck at times while walking and hunting so I decided to switch to tile. While I'm at it I'll switch the adults tank as well. So I have a few small questions! 1) Do I need to put something under it? Such as sand or paper towels? 2) I've heard Home Depot doesn't do speciality cuts, is this true? Am I better off going to Lowes? 3) Both my tanks are 20L, so that would be 30x12. So I could do 2 rows of 6x6. Equaling 10 tiles. Or I could to two 12x12s, and one 6x12. Any preference?

Thank you GU!

 

[Mardy]

I've heard Lowes will cut them, and some Homedepot will. I never had them cut. For the 20 gallon long tanks (30x12x12) you can fit two 12x12 tiles in there just fine. Then you can fill the leftover space with either smaller pieces of tiles, paper towels, repti carpet, or other decor. And no you don't need to put anything below the tiles, but I usually lay a layer of paper towels beneath. But you don't need to really.

Here's what I do with my tanks:

http://www.onlinegeckos.com/basic-leopard-gecko-tank-setup.html

 

[Muffins94]

Thanks Mardy! I will do exactly that.

 

[Medic1167]

Lowes will cut tile for you (providing it was purchased there), Home Depot will not.
Just be sure to measure the inside measurements at the base rather then just the outside. I found the front and rear glass was slightly thicker then the side pieces so the tile was to large and the wide bead of silicone prevented the slate sitting flat against the bottom.

 

[hmarie186]

My Lowe's told me they would not sell single tiles or anything less than a box. I was able to talk the guy into selling me a single slate tile but they didn't cut it for me. To buy singles I have to go to an actual tile shop and they will do $1/cut but most of the time they don't even charge. I found the slate to be too thick to properly conduct the heat so I did a thinner ceramic faux wood. It was much better, but then I upgraded to a 20 gal long so had to buy different tiles. The silicone caulk was way too thick to set a 12" tile in so I had to carve some away along the sides.

 

[CorgiNole]

Our Lowe's has open boxes of tiles, so they do sell by the tile.

My 20 gallon long fits 2 12x12 tiles and 1 12x6 - above the silicone caulk - so currently, there is a little overlap/hump - which unfortunately becomes a cricket hideout on feeding nights - so I need to either shave the tile by 1/8 to 1/4 inch or raise the tiles. Fortunately our neighbor is a contractor, so we can run the tile over to his workshop.

Cheers, K

 

[Andi]

I have a 30x12x12 enclosure and just put tiles in mine.

DON'T JUST BUY 12 X 12 TILES BECAUSE THEY WON'T FIT. Don't trust what other people tell you. Measure them yourself.

I had 2 nice 12x12 tiles all ready to go....(I listened to someone tell me that they would fit no problem). Honestly, it wasn't even close. I would say they were a good .5 inch too wide. The worst part. These tiles were too thick to cut with my tile cutter. I tried and tired, and of course, broke one tile.

I ended up going to Home Depot and bought 3x6 tiles. they didn't have the color I wanted, but they work and were much easier to cut. Of course now I realize that they are a bit slippery. I noticed my girl was ok with it but, please make sure the tiles aren't too smooth and slippery.