Mod-ing a fish tank for crested gecko

LadyBug · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 06:06 PM

Hey. I'm mod-ing a *old* fish tank for my crested gecko hatchling(who will be else where while i'm doing this!!) and I'm in desperate need of some help!
This is what the tank was originally(now sans filter and, in a unexpected twist, the lights!).

The end result I would like to achive is a planted viv with a waterfall. My general idea is going to be to put the waterfall in the back left corner and do a GS background with a pot or two embedded in it on either the back wall or the (left) side wall with a live substrate.
My questions right now are:
-Lighting-I want a light in there that will allow me to grow the plants well and then a nocturnal light(this, I'm thinking)for viewing the crested gecko. The only problem is that I have to mount these UNDER the hood! The nocturnal light won't be too much of a problem, but I'm not sure about the daytime/plant lighting. Also stumped on how to mount the daytime fixture(I have taken the old light fixture out, so there is about 1/2 the hood of free space.).
-Substrate-What would be best to use? Bark, organic soil, coco brick and moss are the four I'm thinking about, but other ideas are welcome!
-Plants-I'm thinking pothos(BTW, can you stem-cut pothos?) and if i go with a smaller substrate, moss(what kind, where to get it, etc?).
-Water feature-I have a ton of little questions about this, so if you can help please check out my other thread on that!
-GreatStuff-Is there a *good* kind and a *bad* kind? I saw someone talking about using the 'bad kind' so I got to wondering.

I know that's a lot of stuff! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-A.

LadyBug · #2 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 08:30 PM

one more question-what's the brand-name of silicone i should use? i have something called 'Dap!' already that i'm thinking of using.....

froggsong · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 11:58 PM

I've read some bad stories about using DAP, and I've always seen people say NOT to use it. Better safe than sorry, right? Go with the GE type I (I've used type II with NO problems as well, and like it better, but I've not used it underwater), or any aquarium silicone.

Just curious, why did you remove the old light fixture? Was it one you couldn't use?

LadyBug · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 11:06 AM

alright, thanks for clearing that up for me!
i was using it, but after four years of near-constant use, for some reason it just pooped out. the button on top stopped working and we could get it working for a minute, but then it'd not work the next time we tried to turn it on. the light itself was still working, it was the fixture that was malfunctioning. the housing for all the cords was discolored and cracked, also.
also, it turns out that pothos can be stem cut. i was at my grandmother's yesterday for thanksgiving and she told me that it would work, then gave me a piece of hers

.

LadyBug · #5 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:51 PM

finally got time to look for a lighting fixture. these three looked pretty good, which one do y'all recommend?
Dome Fixture - Flukers
Reflector Dome - Zilla
Mini Deep Sun Dome - Flukers

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009, 12:42 AM

I recommend the dome from Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. It is CHEAP, and works well. The one that doesn't have a switch (the one with the ceramic fixture, at least at Wal-mart) can easily have one added.

The Zilla fixture you link to is pretty much identical to the cheapest clamp lamps you can get just about anywhere. The metal ones reflect heat and light better, IME, than the white ones. You can safely use up to a 100W bulb even in the metal socket fixtures, just be sure any you buy is either metal or ceramic. There are also clamp lamps with smaller diameter domes, they should be fairly easy to find, just make sure the socket is ok to use.

The great thing about pothos is that you can root just about any part of it, either straight in a planting medium or even a plain glass of water. I've even grown pothos underwater, and my mom had it growing around the top of the walls in the kitchen near the ceiling. It will readily root into just about anything to attach.

EDIT: Do cresties require much heat beyond room temp? I'm not terribly familiar with their needs... It seems I've read somewhere that they do well at 70-80? If that's the case, you could always get a small fluorescent light to go into the hood. That way you'll save on wattage but still have a good day/night cycle for your guy.

LadyBug · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009, 11:04 AM

no, they don't. Our house does tend to be a little cooler, though(my mom is very warm-natured), so a little extra heat wouldn't be a bad thing. plus I'm having trouble finding a fluorescent light that will fit under the hood easily!
the dome you're talking about at wal-mart, lowes, etc where do they keep it in walmart?(or lowes. i have both within 5 minutes of my house)

ETA:I'm thinking i might take the access port off the top and cover that portion underneath with screen. in which case it wouldn't have to fit under the hood, it could sit on top(would that be too hot?). which one(dome or fluorescent) would be better for growing plants?

LadyBug · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyBug

no, they don't. Our house does tend to be a little cooler, though(my mom is very warm-natured), so a little extra heat wouldn't be a bad thing. plus I'm having trouble finding a fluorescent light that will fit under the hood easily!
the dome you're talking about at wal-mart, lowes, etc where do they keep it in walmart?(or lowes. i have both within 5 minutes of my house)

ETA:I'm thinking i might take the access port off the top and cover that portion underneath with screen. in which case it wouldn't have to fit under the hood, it could sit on top(would that be too hot?). which one(dome or fluorescent) would be better for growing plants?

okay. to add onto this question, i had a thought-what if i got the dome and put a grow-bulb in it? that would take care of the will-it-grow-the-plants question(

). is there any reason this would be a bad idea or bad for Lex?

Update

kay, so i ended up getting the dome from lowes(in the work light section for around $6, if anyone else is wondering) and a grow light($5). Now i just have to figure out where to put it. i had wanted the light under the hood, but i'm not sure if that'll work. my mom had the idea of taking the 'button'(stretchy plastic covering a 3/4in-ish hole) and putting the end of the light up through that(so the on/off switch, etc would be on the top/outside) but the hole is too small unless i widen it somehow(ideas? it's hard plastic). so what i'm probably left with is taking the swapping access panel for screen idea. but i'm now wondering if the screen(siliconed onto the underneath of the hood) can hold the light? and the bulb is coming 1/4-1/2in out from under the dome!
HELP

!!
edit

ay, scratch the where-am-i-gonna-put-it-?!? bit. my very own superman...er...SuperGrandpa has come to my rescue and is going to be putting a hole in the middle of the access panel so that the edges of the light will rest on the plastic, not the screening.
btw, can a hatchling crested gecko squeeze through 1/4x1/4in wire?

froggsong · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 08:24 PM

EEP! I wish I had seen this before you bought your bulb! Daylight CFLs are great grow lights, and can be had for 5 bucks or so for TWO bulbs...

I'm not sure if that wire is too big, but it's probably ok. I don't know how little they are though!

Just be sure your light isn't inside the tank where he can get on it and get burned.

BTW, is your screen metal or plastic? If your grow bulb is a CFL it won't be much of an issue, but if it's one that gets hot, it could melt the plastic coating on the fiberglass screen.

LadyBug · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggsong

EEP! I wish I had seen this before you bought your bulb! Daylight CFLs are great grow lights, and can be had for 5 bucks or so for TWO bulbs...

I'm not sure if that wire is too big, but it's probably ok. I don't know how little they are though!

Just be sure your light isn't inside the tank where he can get on it and get burned.

BTW, is your screen metal or plastic? If your grow bulb is a CFL it won't be much of an issue, but if it's one that gets hot, it could melt the plastic coating on the fiberglass screen.

i asked on a gecko forum, and the screen size should be okay. it's metal, i already thought of the plastic problem, thank goodness or i would have plastic(if that makes any sense. i'm not feeling so hot right now and when i get like this i can make no sense and be clueless about it

.(i have type 1 diabetes and my blood sugar is waaay too high)).
yeah, i thought of the burning issue after i realized the hole was too small

.
is syngonium podophyllum nephthytis "maria" safe for her? there was a slightly neglected one at lowes for $1.30 and i couldn't resist! i already re-potted it, so now it's just a matter of safety.