Combining species

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offthewallgeckos

New member
:confused:hey everyone. complex issues about combining species!! i am planning to start a day gecko naturalistic vivarium with all the bells and whistles! Im thinking about either a 40 gallon breeder or a 20 gal long, and converting it into a vert viv. issues!! how to i overcome the problem of the glass filtering UVB? its a HUGE issue, and i can figure out a way around it. second, i want a group viv. can i mix a giant day gecko with 2 neon day geckos? thanks in advance, im growing frustrated at my own lack of knowledge :-x. i need a buttload of good old info about both species, please.
 
Aimless

Aimless

Super Moderator
combining species is generally a very bad idea. your giant day gecko will simply eat the smaller geckos anyways.

also, a 20 gallon vertical isn't really enough space for even a single P m grandis.

please try the search function here for information about each species and check the caresheet section; you should be able to find quite a bit of information with some patient sifting instead of having us spew out basic care information that is already easy to find.
 
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offthewallgeckos

New member
[MENTION=3989]Elizabeth Freer[/MENTION] have you built vivariums before? if so, is there a way i can hang a florescent fixture inside the tank? also, would you consider a 40 gallon breeder big enough for a single giant day gecko? out of curiosity, what prices are giants commanding in todays market? you dont think we should give geckos calcium with d3? i heard that the giant would eat the neons? sounded pretty dodgy. id rather my pets not eat each other. finally, id really love a multi species tank, but have heard dire warnings about that. id LOVE to have a giant and a Dentrobates tinctures "azureus" dart frog in one tank. not sure if thats possible...
 
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offthewallgeckos

New member
Im also unsure if i should use tube or coil UVB bulbs. i know for dragon keepers coil bulbs are anathema. but i wasnt sure if it was different for geckos
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
offthewallgeckos said:
[MENTION=3989]Elizabeth Freer[/MENTION] have you built vivariums before? if so, is there a way i can hang a florescent fixture inside the tank? also, would you consider a 40 gallon breeder big enough for a single giant day gecko? out of curiosity, what prices are giants commanding in todays market? you dont think we should give geckos calcium with d3? i heard that the giant would eat the neons? sounded pretty dodgy. id rather my pets not eat each other. finally, id really love a multi species tank, but have heard dire warnings about that. id LOVE to have a giant and a Dentrobates tinctures "azureus" dart frog in one tank. not sure if thats possible...
Click to expand...

Hi ~

I have no experience building vivariums. Click: Naturalistic Vivarium

For my Phelsuma barbouri (which require short horizontal vivariums) I have only used Zoo Med's Reptisun 18 inch 5.0 tube fluorescents. Those tubes have excellent reputations. I replace the tubes annually. My barbs have lived under that type lighting for about 10 years now. Because they get UVB from reputable tubes, I do not also supplement them with a calcium with D3. From what I have heard that would be double-dosing and harmful to their health. Recently I've heard that some folks do a little of both.

One difficulty with a 40 gallon breeder tank is the height: 36 x 18 x 17 inches as far as I know. Have you had the chance to click on both links I posted above? The first one states:

"The Terrarium
Giant Day Geckos are highly arboreal and must have climbing opportunities. A 30-55 gallon “high-style” tank will accommodate a pair or trio. Always opt for the largest enclosure possible."

It is recommended not to mix species. That often puts one species at risk and very possibly is stressful for both species. Neon day geckos are among the smallest of Phelsuma. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

Don't be too quick to do something you'll regret.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
offthewallgeckos said:
Im also unsure if i should use tube or coil UVB bulbs. i know for dragon keepers coil bulbs are anathema. but i wasnt sure if it was different for geckos
Click to expand...

I can only vouch for the tubes I use. Some tubes do not measure up to what they say. There are Solarmeters available (quite pricey) which measure the strength of the UVB.

Best to research lighting in depth. There are higher tech options available now.
 
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acpart

Well-known member
In addition to UVB, most day geckos also need a basking light which you may want to install outside the enclosure since they can get quite hot.

Aliza
 
Aimless

Aimless

Super Moderator
I would be concerned about a light fixture inside the tank? geckos are wonderful climbers, and might wedge in next to the bulb when they want to bask.

hmmm...I went through your viv build link. very cool tank conversion! I would only want to caution about 2 things:

first, dart frogs need a higher ambient humidity, for the most part, than grandis. that might be a little short on ventilation. you might wish to make the screen cutout larger? just a thought.

second, dart frogs are much smaller than grandis. even a terriblis is quite a bit smaller and will need less volume. that example of how to make the background is awesome, but takes up quite a bit of volume in that tank. perhaps it might give your gecko more room if you make a modified version that doesn't remove so much volume from the viv. again, just a thought. grandis are large, active geckos.
 
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CrestedRick

Active member
As far as grouping species...that's a bad idea. As for the UVB, if you do a vert tank you can think about removing the top (the old side) and installing a screen. I have a pair of cresteds and I siliconed cork bark panels to the back and part of the sides of my 18-18-24 tanks.
 
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