Begginer looking for all the help I can get.

[RebelGecko]

Hello everyone,
My name is Brian. I have been thinking about trying to put together a nice viv. for my Standingi Day Geckos. I have never attempted to make one before and have absolutly no idea where to start. I was hoping to maybe make some new friends here that might not mind helping me out some. If anyone would mind helping me out please let me know. I am very ancious to do this project just need a little help. Thanks and have a great day.

[RebelGecko]

Ok, maybe some specific qusetions. I would like to build a vivarium with a 55 gallon aquarium. Just a few things I am not sure about. Would this be to big for a first timer? Should i just use a regular 55 gallon aquarium or should i shop for a tank that is specificaly made for vivariums (I am still not sure if those are avaliable on the market or not)? Like i said before, i want to keep some kind of small gecko or possibly a pair of small geckos in this viv. Would tempered glass make a differance? (I have seen a few people drill holes for water lines and things like that, not sure about drilling holes in tempered glass.) I don't want to start this project until i have all my supplies (which never seems to happen with any project, lol) I am also looking for a few good books on vivariums. So if you know of any good useful books, please let me know.

[Tindomul1of9]

I really havent got any experience with geckos, but it seems to me that a 55 is ok for a few of them.
Tempered glass will break if you try to drill, but ask the manufacturer as many aquariums that say temepered glass are not tempered on all sides.
I once asked a local aquarium store if they sold a tank about 4 feet high, 2 feet deep and 4 feet wide with front opening doors. They said they could get it for special order. SO I bet you could have one built for you if you asked around.
Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress.

[RebelGecko]

OK, I have decided to build my own tank. I am wondering if anyone here might know the proper way to temper glass. I am a supervisor in an aluminum extrusion plant. We temper all the aluminum that we extrude and if its possible I'll heat treat the glass with our oven. I just need to find the right temps and times to do this. I am also wondering about glueing the glass together. What would be the best silicone or glue to use for this? Thanks again for all the help. I will keep you all posted on my progress. I am going to pick up a digital camera this weekend so I can post pics as well.

[Landon]

Originally Posted by RebelGecko

Ok, maybe some specific qusetions. I would like to build a vivarium with a 55 gallon aquarium. Just a few things I am not sure about. Would this be to big for a first timer? .

if you go through the proper steps of research, and trial and error, and dont rush, this isnt out of reach for a beginner at all.

Originally Posted by RebelGecko

Should i just use a regular 55 gallon aquarium or should i shop for a tank that is specificaly made for vivariums (I am still not sure if those are avaliable on the market or not)?

there are vivariums available on the market, but if youve got a 55, id set it up instead of incurring the cost of a new enclosure.

Originally Posted by RebelGecko

Like i said before, i want to keep some kind of small gecko or possibly a pair of small geckos in this viv.

Originally Posted by RebelGecko

I have been thinking about trying to put together a nice viv. for my Standingi Day Geckos.

im a little confused do you have geckos or are you looking for more? or both ?

Originally Posted by RebelGecko

Would tempered glass make a differance?

not really unless you wanted to drill it. if you want to drill it i would reccomend against tempered. there really isny any need/benefit for tempered in a vivarium as the pressure on the glass is minimal, unless you have a lot of water, or a lot of rocks leaning on it. even if you have a lot of water, unless its full, its not as much as an aquarium


i havent really seen any "must have" vivarium books. the best place ive found is the internet. most books are outdated pretty quickly because the hobby is progressing so fast. most pet stores base there info on the books, so i tend to try and get my info from other hobbiest, which are easy to find here

[tunachris]

I just joined this forum, so I am a newbie.

I have had 60 gal. vivarium with Crested Geckos in it for 2 years. Just this past weekend I tore the whole thing down to change the background. I had a rainforest picture taped to the back of the tank, and wanted to put in a molded foam background.

The vivarium has been very succesfull, as I have had my 2 female geckos lay a total of 16 eggs over the past year or so, and I currently have 6 baby geckos in smaller tanks.

The bottom of the tank is a 2" layer of aquarium gravel. Over this is a piece of window screen cut to the size of the tank. My substrate is a 50/50 mix of potting soil and coconut husk chunks. The tank is heavily planted with a lot of moss between the plants to cover bare areas. The top of the tank is 2 pieces of plexiglass kept open at each end. Above this I have a screen top, with a small computer fan mounted at one end to provide air circulation. Lighting is provided by 1- 18" and 1- 36" grow lights. Humidity is provided by a water canister under the tank connected to an aquarium pump, with a hose leading up to the tank. A perforated plastic line runs into the tank to release humid air into the tank. The fan and lights are on a timer to simulate day and night. I vary the day between 12-14 hours over the course of the year.

The vivarium is very low maintenance, mainly cleaning the glass and branchs of lizard droppings once a week. I have started to tear down the decoration every month or so, to find any eggs that may have been laid. I see small insects and critters in the soil, and the crickets that I use to feed the geckos must lay eggs on occasion, as I fiind baby crickets in the tank from time to time.

It wasn't difficult to build, but I did a fair amount of research, and put together a plan of attack before I started. Read around on the internet, and look at pictures of othere vivariums to get ideas.

Good luck,
Chris

[Rainfrog]

This sounds very nice. would you be able to post some pictures for us? I wouls like to see this.

[tunachris]

Not sure how well these will show. I used my cellphone camera. Will try to get better pictures using my wife's digital camera.

[twodogs]

Hi
To "glue the glass" you can just use aquarium silicon.
To temper the glass, you may need to talk to your local glazier for specks on how to do this.
Most glazing companies will build any tank to your own specks.
BUT,,, this will come at a price.
You can do the same thing with 6mm, or 10mm plate glass.
Easier to work and cheaper to buy.
Also just as sturdy for aquariums and vivariums.
6mm = one size up from 5/8, 10mm = 3/8