New 40G Leopard Gecko Tank with Custom BG

MustacheMatt · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 09:06 PM

I built this tank over the past 2 nights for my geckos! I used wire mesh to make the form. Then I used GS to cover the wire mesh, and Sand to cover the still tacky GS. The small cave on the right has a pressurized misting nozzle run to the top of it, so that I can keep it moist. The Large cave on the left turns 90 degrees to the right and goes in about half a foot under that bulge of land (it's a nice hiding spot). It turned out better than expected!

This second photo is kind of blurry, and poorly lit. It does show some scale though, with my fully grown gecko (Gary!) climbing around.

Austin · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 09:34 PM

Looks fantastic, you really went all out. I know you've probaly heard this 3 million times, but, be careful of impaction, the sand can kill o.o

froggsong · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 09:53 PM

That looks great. The little bulges and whatnot in the GS really work the way you did it. That is really wonderful, and a great new way to do something. Too bad you didn't takes pics as you were building it... I love the way you think outside of the box.

I might do something similar for my beardie.

Austin · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 11:03 PM

I have an empty 40 gallon now... and I have a leopard gecko...

Could you elaborate on how you formed the wire mesh?

Do you have a UTH?

MustacheMatt · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 11:18 PM

Well I cut a strip of the wire mesh about 4in longer and tall than the tank. Then I began to shape it with my hands, working with it to get the shapes I wanted. I then made a cardboard box (with out the top and one side) the same size as the 40g tank. Then taped the mesh to it (a mock up so to speak). I proceeded to put GS on it, using my hands to flatten it out and sculpt it as I sprayed. This made the expansion of the foam minimal, and allowed me to put the sand (repti-light I think is what it was, the stuff they claim somewhat safe if consumed) on the GS without using any silicone. Later I cut out a hole in the cave on the left, and used the mesh to form the inner cave hideout. Then use GS to cover and sand, and glue it to the main piece.

Does that make sense?

What is a UTH?

Austin · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 11:50 PM

Yes it makes sense, thanks =)

UTH refers to an under tank heater. Basically a under tank heating pad. Leopard geckos need belly heat to help digest their food, and since you have sand, its even more important that he can digest. Overhead lights are not needed, but, if you do get a UTH, you can keep the lights.

MustacheMatt · #7 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 12:14 AM

Yeah i have one, its actually in the sand about a cm deep, it keeps em nice and toasty!

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 12:43 PM

Matt, be very careful that they cannot burrow down to the heater! It could be a heartbreaking situation for you. It would be safer if you attach the heater to the bottom of a tile (ceramic or stone) and then bury it. I also recommend that you plug the UTH into a dimmer and have a thermometer with a probe monitoring the temp of the substrate above the heater (bury the probe halfway between the top of the sand and the top of the tile you attach the UTH to), that way if there is a temperature spike for some reason, you can lower the temp. The safest option of course is to connect it to a thermostat. I have seen pictures of thermal burns on snakes and leopard geckos and they are heart wrenching. I know you want to do the best for your pet, so I just wanted to make sure that you know how dangerous they can be. Of course, you may already have it attached to a tile or something similar, but I just had to put it out there, for you and for future readers.

On another note, do you guys think I should move this to Construction? I know it isn't a build log, but it is a thread about a build, and it does contain info on how it was built... I'm thinking Construction would be a better fit...

Also, Matt, it would be absolutely wonderful if you would create something like this again and write a how-to article about how you built it. I think this is a wonderful option for desert dwelling species. I just can't get over how much that looks like a piece of desert in a box.

zag1310 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 05:20 PM

i want my own Leopard Gecko

froggsong · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 01:16 PM

I had forgotten about this thread... I am going to go ahead and move it to Construction.

Now that I have been planning to use foamboard instead of GS for the beardie tank, I feel disappointed that I won't be able to try this with the sand...

Maybe I'll do a little piece to see what it looks like in person, and if I really like it, I'll just scrap my current idea.