DIY: Crested Gecko Tubs

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Originally Posted by Bones

I just wanted to add a few things to this thread as suggestions/alternatives for other people who will be following this awesome tutorial.

1) I made two of these tubs and for the life of me, I could NOT cut through that thick plastic with a scorer, an Exacto knife or even a razor box cutter. I ended up having to use a soldering gun to melt through the plastic. That plastic was a lot thicker than I thought it would be! I'd actually recommend skipping the scorer and just using a soldering gun because it was definitely easier and faster.

2) Instead of using hot glue, I used RV silicone to adhere the screen to the tub. I chose this method because I didn't want to risk burning myself with the glue, haha! To make sure the screen was taut, I siliconed the bottom of the screen first and let it dry, and then I did the sides and the top. It's held up great so far.

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Good suggestions! I have been using an acrylic scorer on thick sheets of plastic for years now, so I don't mind the time it takes to make a clean cut. I don't normally use the scorer to cut all the way through the plastic, just to make a big enough groove to snap it.

I never thought about using silicone! My hot glue has been holding up well though! (over a year).

This is awesome! I am going to get either a gargoyle gecko or a crested at a reptile show in a week. I was going to buy a terrarium there, but this seems cheap and effective. Thanks!:D:D:D

I know this thread is old but I thought I would post what I got so far.

[IMG]http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0f02b651.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...ps41d98161.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...pse2487390.jpg[/IMG]

Nice! I like the little raised shelf you made.

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Yea its cheaper then buying a magnetic gecko ledge. I'm building a few of those also.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pet/3923318020.html

Just found this ad on CL, and can't help but wonder if this is one of our members...look at the tub!

Btw, if it is, I would be extremely interested, if I had the money right now. But I do have an awesome setup. :D

Do you think there would be any issue with cutting a screen piece into the lid? This would be for a heat lamp! I live in Washington and it can get a little too cold in the winter. Do you think the heat lamp would ruminate or melt the plastic? For anyone that has used these tubs do they/you just set your house heat and go by that? Our house is old and has no room/house temp. So I need to monitor the exact temp in the terrarium. Of course, if the lamp will melt the plastic I have to rethink this whole idea. My plan is to pick up a female to go with my male and house them in a tub similar to this.

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Originally Posted by JaredJEstes

Do you think there would be any issue with cutting a screen piece into the lid? This would be for a heat lamp! I live in Washington and it can get a little too cold in the winter. Do you think the heat lamp would ruminate or melt the plastic? For anyone that has used these tubs do they/you just set your house heat and go by that? Our house is old and has no room/house temp. So I need to monitor the exact temp in the terrarium. Of course, if the lamp will melt the plastic I have to rethink this whole idea. My plan is to pick up a female to go with my male and house them in a tub similar to this.

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Are you housing crested geckos? They are pretty forgiving on temperature so not sure if you would even need a heat lamp. In fact, I think a heat lamp would get way too hot for them unless you use a dimmer switch.

In any case, I don't see an issue with putting mesh on the lid, but only if you use a dimmer switch to control the temperature. Also it is worth noting that the humidity will escape mostly from the top, so the more mesh you put on, the more you lower the humidity. Using a heat lamp will also decrease your humidity. So get your spray bottle ready. lol

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Are you housing crested geckos? They are pretty forgiving on temperature so not sure if you would even need a heat lamp. In fact, I think a heat lamp would get way too hot for them unless you use a dimmer switch.

In any case, I don't see an issue with putting mesh on the lid, but only if you use a dimmer switch to control the temperature. Also it is worth noting that the humidity will escape mostly from the top, so the more mesh you put on, the more you lower the humidity. Using a heat lamp will also decrease your humidity. So get your spray bottle ready. lol

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I agree with you, I think a heat lamp will be too much. I am from England, and our winters aren't very nice, and my gecko gets on just fine without and heating at all. I do have a normal light above her to provide a proper day/night cycle and soon to provide light to my live plants, and the small amount of heat from this brings my viv up a few degrees alone!

Thanks for your help Kaorte and George. I have been using a heating lamp thus far for my crestie. He finds his way up under the light more than you think. But the real danger is forgetting to turn it off. I usually just turn it on for an hour or so to get his tank temp at about 75 (that's my goal). Sometimes it's lower, sometimes it's higher.

I imagine there won't be too much circulation if I am using a plastic tub like this (thus the cut out on the side). But it relieves me and worries me to not have to make a cut out on top. It relieves me because the enclosure will be safe and easy to make. Yet, I worry about it getting too cold for him? I guess the danger for cresties is extreme hot, not cold? Thanks for your input thus far and anymore you have.

I am going to start this project this weekend and I will post some photos, assuming I find it presentable. Thanks!