Working on 75g enclosure

[geckomom]

I'm - still - working on my new 75g for my gecko kids. Finally finished with several coats of background paint, I think I like it, but will have to get the tank more furnished before I really decide.

Was going to use slate as a substrate, but now I'm thinking of ceramic tiles (not the smooth, slick kind, but a textured tile). Would that work the same as slate as far as heat retention? Also, for those who use slate/tile, do you "glue" it down (I'm assuming with a silicone type acquarium cement), or do you just lay the tile/slate down but leave it removable?

I'm trying to take my time on this, as I don't want to just throw it all together and be unhappy with the results, then have to re-do and put the geckos thru another "move", and once it's done, it will be done and I'm not going to keep "picking" at it.

I've been collecting goodies, like larger plastic containers for humid hides, etc., so hopefully it will all come together soon. The present 55g is on a cabinet in my living room, and the 75g is "in process" on my living room floor....

Thanks for any advice about the tile situation. :)

bobbie

[DragnDrop]

Linda (Painted Desert Geckos) has ceramic for her enclosure(s) but I can't recall if she glued the tiles or not. She's swamped with work right now so she might not see this, but maybe I can get her input and post it for her.

Personally, I wouldn't glue the tiles. If you had to remove them for some reason, you're out of luck. I've got ceramic tiles as the floor in one tank but that's because there was a crack, I wanted to use the tank so the tiles had to be glued down. The ones I used are the 'adobe' type, a bit rough but still smooth enough to wipe clean. I also use ceramic tiles on my 'UTH contraption' as I call it - UTH attached to the tile. The ceramic is exclellent for dispersing heat, no hot spots in any of the tiles I use. Slate would work just as well though the weight might be a bit much. Generally slate is thicker than tile unless you can find som thing pieces. Heat would transfer through slate just as well, so technically either one would work.
I'm itching to see pictures of this when it's done :)

[peterm15]

i use ceremic tiles not glued down and i couldnt be happier..

they will have to be lifted once in a while, well my leos go to the bathroom right in the corner... so i lift them to disenfect... glue a small peice of string to one and that will make them easier to lift.. glue the string on the bottoon and have it come up through the side, between the tile and glass..

im really wantin to see pics to...

[Painted Desert]

Actually, I have slate tile, and have had for several years now. Home Depot will cut the tiles in half with a wet saw, if your tank is not dead on the 12" measurement. I leave one corner (12 x12) with no tile at all...this is the humid/lay area. You need to be able to lift the tiles to clean underneath. I'd love to post a pic, by the photo gallery hates me and always tells me i have exceeded my daily limit of uploads. Sheesh.

[geckomom]

Thanks so much! I was thinking that gluing the tiles/slate down wouldn't work, and you've all just helped me make the decision to leave them unglued.

The string idea is wonderful! I would have never thought of that, but it's really a stroke of genius! I'll definitely do the "string thing"!

Not sure yet if I'm going with slate or ceramic, I'm a bit worried about the weight of slate, too. The tank is 48"L x 18"deep, I'd like to avoid a lot of weight in the bottom if possible. Sometime this week I'll be tile shopping.

I'll still have to have whatever I use cut, cause the dimensions of the tank are the outside dimensions, the inside is just a "bit" less, just enough to make the 6x6 ceramic tiles a bit too big without cutting.

I can't wait to post pictures, but most of all, I just can't wait to be done with this, put the old tank in storage (never know what I "might" need it for in the future, hubby would kill me if he read that!), and get the new tank up and running, and my gecko kids situated in their new home.

soon....soon.......

bobbie