Klemmeri / Neon Day Gecko set up request

[Benfry89]

Returning to the hobby after a long time away.

I'm picking up 2-3 Klemmers soon which I have never kept before. I've naturally done some research, but any other advice and opinions are always welcome which is why I am here.

Currently running:

- Habistat 45cm x60cm.
- Arcadia 7% Shade Dweller T5
- Jungle Dawn LED Bar
- Arcadia Deep Heat bulb which is attached to a microclimate evo 2.

Currently tested and running smoothly... by the way that evo 2 thermostat.... What an amazing piece of kit!! The technology has certainly come on leaps and bounds compared to when I first started in the hobby.

Anyway - here is my setup. Any room for improvement or does it look ok? I have another thicker piece of bamboo coming (4-5cm thick) which I intend to place somewhere.

 

[acpart]

I kept a single klemmeri about 10 years ago for quite a number of years. The setup looks pretty good to me. I'd say you should watch out for the following things:
--with all that light and heat, will you be able to maintain a reasonable humidity? I'm not saying you can't, but offhand it does seem like a lot of heat. I kept mine with a decent light for the plants and a small puck basking light for the gecko. I didn't use any additional heat and I think I had that gecko for more than 10 years.
-- make sure you have located any possible escape areas (like cutouts to run wires) and tape over them to prevent escapes
-- hopefully all your plants will thrive. It's been a bit touch and go for me, so have some backup ideas just in case. I have found pothos to be a great hardy plant that grows almost anywhere. I see you have at least one bromeliad. You do know that it will bloom once. I used to harvest the pups that were attached to the bromeliad after it bloomed and planted those. I was able to get through a number of bromeliad generations and still get blooms.

Aliza

 

[Benfry89]

Ive gone with this as my final "build".

I was concerned with the humidity remaining high enough and am considering getting a misting system. Either the exo terra monsoon solo 2, lucky reptile super rain or a mist King. I'm not sure if the mist King is overkill for one viv?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Benfry89 ~
I recommend diagonal instead of vertical basking sites like some of your current bamboo. It's been said that vertical bamboo "encourages" flop tail in Phelsuma.

I wonder whether Zoo Med still makes an individual enclosure misting unit called Zoo Med Habba Mist -- Automatic Misting Machine.

IF you'd like to experiment with halogen puck lights, I have a brand new fully wired one + an extra bulb or two I could send you as long as you live in the USA.

 

[Benfry89]

Hi Benfry89 ~
I recommend diagonal instead of vertical basking sites like some of your current bamboo. It's been said that vertical bamboo "encourages" flop tail in Phelsuma.

I wonder whether Zoo Med still makes an individual enclosure misting unit called Zoo Med Habba Mist -- Automatic Misting Machine.

IF you'd like to experiment with halogen puck lights, I have a brand new fully wired one + an extra bulb or two I could send you as long as you live in the USA.

Thanks for the response. I'll keep an eye on it.

I'm trying to replicate nature as best as I can by provide as many different angles and levels as possible so that they can choose where they are most comfortable. My concern was mainly whether there looks to be enough or whether I should add more and whether you think the vegetation is dense enough for them to find some cover.

I would have thought floppy tail if I recall correctly is something to do with calcium deficiency? Isn't that more diet related rather than setup?

 

[Benfry89]

I kept a single klemmeri about 10 years ago for quite a number of years. The setup looks pretty good to me. I'd say you should watch out for the following things:
--with all that light and heat, will you be able to maintain a reasonable humidity? I'm not saying you can't, but offhand it does seem like a lot of heat. I kept mine with a decent light for the plants and a small puck basking light for the gecko. I didn't use any additional heat and I think I had that gecko for more than 10 years.
-- make sure you have located any possible escape areas (like cutouts to run wires) and tape over them to prevent escapes
-- hopefully all your plants will thrive. It's been a bit touch and go for me, so have some backup ideas just in case. I have found pothos to be a great hardy plant that grows almost anywhere. I see you have at least one bromeliad. You do know that it will bloom once. I used to harvest the pups that were attached to the bromeliad after it bloomed and planted those. I was able to get through a number of bromeliad generations and still get blooms.

I've had a look at the possible escape routes as suggested and they are all less than a half a cm, I don't think it should allow the lizards out... But maybe the livefood so good call. I'll sort that out with some gorilla tape.

Regards the humidity, I've installed a mist system to come on a few times daily. At the moments it's normally around the 70-80% mark, dropping to a minimum of around 55-60% before being misted again. It peaks in the high 90s

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for the response. I'll keep an eye on it.

I'm trying to replicate nature as best as I can by provide as many different angles and levels as possible so that they can choose where they are most comfortable. My concern was mainly whether there looks to be enough or whether I should add more and whether you think the vegetation is dense enough for them to find some cover.

I would have thought floppy tail if I recall correctly is something to do with calcium deficiency? Isn't that more diet related rather than setup?

Floppy Tail Syndrome (FTS)

Symptoms: Tail hangs over gecko’s back or to the side when upside down Difficulty defecating or laying eggs Cause: Sleeping upside down repeatedly Deformity of base tail bone and hips Treatment: Make an appointment with an exotic veterinarian. Tail amputation may… Continue Reading →

reptifiles.com

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

PS:
It's MUCH easier to prevent Floppy Tail Syndrome in Phelsuma than to correct it. I don't think Floppy Tail can be corrected.

I suggest changing the bamboo against the enclosure's back wall. Place it an an angle instead of perpendicular to the ground.