Blue tongue skink.

Hello I wanted to know if you can keep an blue tongue skink in an ap cage? If so what size do you recommend... Thanks

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T8 is a good size and it's their cheapest terrestrial enclosure at $150 when on sale - as it is now.

I use a T8, but it really doesn't give much clearance for an overhead light, if that's how you plan on providing a basking spot. But as far as floor area, the 4' x 2' floor space is good.


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Not the greatest pic, but here's mine. I use a very low profile bulb and it gives about 6" of clearance.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...87ad04908f.jpg


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I do not know the height of the tank in question. I currently keep my BTS, Frank, in a 5X2'. He is moving, as are all my animals, to a 6X2' boaphile tank (Jeff Ronne is making a 5 tank apartment complex for all my reptiles). The tank I am having made for Frank is 17.5" high, so I can put both a small basking light and a UVB bulb.

First, Skinks like to explore and move around. I have read that the bigger the ground area, the better. Having said that, a 4X2' should be fine.

Secondly, BTS do need UVB exposure and like to bask. I have an UTH and Frank still likes to sit under the UVB and basking light.

In the new tank, I will have UTH and a radiant heat panel to maintain 90ish on the hot side, with a 94-97F hot spot under the small basking bulb and fluorescent UVB bulb.

I am probably not telling you anything you do not know, but wanted to be clear on the UVB requirements. I have had trouble finding a lot of good info on BTS and wanted to make sure you knew.

All the best.

David

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Originally Posted by BPGator

Not the greatest pic, but here's mine. I use a very low profile bulb and it gives about 6" of clearance.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...87ad04908f.jpg


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I have a t8 for my bp Reese. I wanted to get an t10 for a future skink because of the clearance. What set up should I use or the requirements? I'm new to skink but wanted something different. Thanks in advance

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Originally Posted by dakski

I do not know the height of the tank in question. I currently keep my BTS, Frank, in a 5X2'. He is moving, as are all my animals, to a 6X2' boaphile tank (Jeff Ronne is making a 5 tank apartment complex for all my reptiles). The tank I am having made for Frank is 17.5" high, so I can put both a small basking light and a UVB bulb.

First, Skinks like to explore and move around. I have read that the bigger the ground area, the better. Having said that, a 4X2' should be fine.

Secondly, BTS do need UVB exposure and like to bask. I have an UTH and Frank still likes to sit under the UVB and basking light.

In the new tank, I will have UTH and a radiant heat panel to maintain 90ish on the hot side, with a 94-97F hot spot under the small basking bulb and fluorescent UVB bulb.

I am probably not telling you anything you do not know, but wanted to be clear on the UVB requirements. I have had trouble finding a lot of good info on BTS and wanted to make sure you knew.

All the best.

David

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I currently have an apt8 with an ph12 rhp for my ball. Where would u mount the bulb if the heat panel is taking up most of the top end of the enclosure?

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

I currently have an apt8 with an ph12 rhp for my ball. Where would u mount the bulb if the heat panel is taking up most of the top end of the enclosure?

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In a 2 foot deep enclosure, there should be room for a moderately sized heat panel and a UVB bulb and basking bulb next to or in front of/behind. That's, I believe what I have in my new boaphile for Frank that is coming soon.

Alternatively, if your temps are reasonable where you are (air temp in room), and the tank is well sealed, could you do an under tank heating element of some kind and a bulb, or bulbs, above it?

I believe BTS temps can drop at night a little, but am not 100% on that. Therefore, if you have under tank heating set to a reasonable temp and are using the bulbs for heat and UVB, that could work. Also, if the UT heating element is able to maintain the temps you want, you could use a lower wattage UVB bulb that does not provide much, if any heat.

Just a thought. As I am not super familiar with the tank you are referencing, not sure what else to say.

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

I currently have an apt8 with an ph12 rhp for my ball. Where would u mount the bulb if the heat panel is taking up most of the top end of the enclosure?

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Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but unless you have an exceptionally cold room, you shouldn't need an RHP and a bulb for basking. You want your hot spot to be around 100°. Your cool side will be fine since one end of the cage is 100°.

Incidentally, the T8 I'm using actually has a ph12 in it because I once used this cage for a BP. I don't run the RHP now because my bulb provides sufficient heat for the whole cage. My cool side is in the high 70s. The bulb is on a timer and you don't need to provide the Skink heat at night.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but unless you have an exceptionally cold room, you shouldn't need an RHP and a bulb for basking. You want your hot spot to be around 100°. Your cool side will be fine since one end of the cage is 100°.

Incidentally, the T8 I'm using actually has a ph12 in it because I once used this cage for a BP. I don't run the RHP now because my bulb provides sufficient heat for the whole cage. My cool side is in the high 70s. The bulb is on a timer and you don't need to provide the Skink heat at night.


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Lol yes my t8 house my ball python. I live in the desert in c
California and my night temps drops to low 40's at times. Bob over at pro products recommended a ph12 and it works great. I have my ball python dialed in. I'm speaking of which if I get an t10 how or what do you guys recommend of me to get my temps right. I have seen that I will need a heat bike for him and all. I'm just confused on how I should do it

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I use a 4'x2'x 15" tall enclosure. I have a circle screen cut out on one end that I place my basking bulb / fixture on top of. I also have an LED strip light inside the cage to provide lighting. I do not use UV as I provide supplementation.

One thing others have not mentioned is that you will want to order a cage with a litter dam...My guy is in a C-Serpents cage and I requested a litter dam (it is about 3.5" tall). BTS like to dig and mess around and often spill substrate out of the cage. Even with the dam, mine manages to strew substrate.

I would go with drop down doors...I got sliding doors on the cage for mine and said substrate pieces get in the track (even with the dam) and cause issues. It's not a huge deal, but it is a hassle.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I use a 4'x2'x 15" tall enclosure. I have a circle screen cut out on one end that I place my basking bulb / fixture on top of. I also have an LED strip light inside the cage to provide lighting. I do not use UV as I provide supplementation.

One thing others have not mentioned is that you will want to order a cage with a litter dam...My guy is in a C-Serpents cage and I requested a litter dam (it is about 3.5" tall). BTS like to dig and mess around and often spill substrate out of the cage. Even with the dam, mine manages to strew substrate.

I would go with drop down doors...I got sliding doors on the cage for mine and said substrate pieces get in the track (even with the dam) and cause issues. It's not a huge deal, but it is a hassle.

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Thanks a lot. Do you know any good places go buy this type of enclosure? I believe animal plastics can provide an circular cut out, but not the other things you mentioned. Thank again for your time.

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Pretty sure AP can do a taller litter dam, you’ll just have to wait longer for it than a quick-ship T8. Call or e-mail and talk to Ali.


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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Pretty sure AP can do a taller litter dam, you’ll just have to wait longer for it than a quick-ship T8. Call or e-mail and talk to Ali.


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Thanks i will do that. In your opinion would this work.

Ap10 with a cut out on one side for the bulb, with an flexwatt for belly heat

Or the cut out for the bulb and an rhp on the other side to keep up the ambient for the whole enclosed with the cut out and bulb for the basking spot. I don't see a lot of ap cages used for skinks, just a lot of glass enclosures. Thank sorry for so many questions.

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My son’s skink is in an AP enclosure. He’s got a heat lamp on/in the cutout for the hot spot, and his UVB light along the front or back side. He’s got flexwatt for the “cool” side, but if we were to do it again/upgrade his enclosure I’d probably lean toward a RHP (son is off being a truck driver trainee, so I’ve taken over skink-care [emoji846]), provided it could be set up to not interfere with the UVB.


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I believe AP can do a custom cage. I ordered mine from C-serpents...They don't advertise that they do cages, but will on special order. That said, you have to pick it up from a show they vend because they assemble them and won't ship them. With AP, you need to call or email to ask for modifications. They have recessed LED light now, but it isn't on the website (you have to request it)..I really like the look of the recessed lighting and it comes installed already.

If I had to do it over again, I'd honestly have gone with an RHP instead of the light fixture and cut out. They main reason is that the cage can't be stacked under another cage and you've got the dome fixture sitting on top of it (which doesn't look great). If you're sure you won't need to put another cage on top of it, and don't mind the look of the dome fixture, then a setup like mine should work for you.

You shouldn't need additional heat if you're using an RHP or basking spot unless the room is very cold. My cage stays in my reptile room which has an ambient temp of 75f, the basking spot is just under 100f, so that gives the skink a good temp range.

I keep my basking lamp and inside tank LED light strip on a timer and do not provide additional heat at night. If you go with an RHP, you can leave it on 24/7 as it won't emit light.

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

My son’s skink is in an AP enclosure. He’s got a heat lamp on/in the cutout for the hot spot, and his UVB light along the front or back side. He’s got flexwatt for the “cool” side, but if we were to do it again/upgrade his enclosure I’d probably lean toward a RHP (son is off being a truck driver trainee, so I’ve taken over skink-care [emoji846]), provided it could be set up to not interfere with the UVB.


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Thanks a lot. I have for my bp a ph12 rhp it's kind of big but I live in Mojave desert in California and it gets cold during winter months. But the rhp works great. Keeps my warm side right on point and my cool side right for my bp. I just have to figure out what size tho would do good for the skink. I have this set up in my apt8.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I believe AP can do a custom cage. I ordered mine from C-serpents...They don't advertise that they do cages, but will on special order. That said, you have to pick it up from a show they vend because they assemble them and won't ship them. With AP, you need to call or email to ask for modifications. They have recessed LED light now, but it isn't on the website (you have to request it)..I really like the look of the recessed lighting and it comes installed already.

If I had to do it over again, I'd honestly have gone with an RHP instead of the light fixture and cut out. They main reason is that the cage can't be stacked under another cage and you've got the dome fixture sitting on top of it (which doesn't look great). If you're sure you won't need to put another cage on top of it, and don't mind the look of the dome fixture, then a setup like mine should work for you.

You shouldn't need additional heat if you're using an RHP or basking spot unless the room is very cold. My cage stays in my reptile room which has an ambient temp of 75f, the basking spot is just under 100f, so that gives the skink a good temp range.

I keep my basking lamp and inside tank LED light strip on a timer and do not provide additional heat at night. If you go with an RHP, you can leave it on 24/7 as it won't emit light.

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Thanks. So i kind of got it I think lol. As stated above I have a nice set up for my bp and the temps are great. So I will try to do the same set up for my skink, I will be ordering an ap t10 so if I have this right in my head lol I will have this set up.

Ap t10 an rhp to keep my temps right because it gets cold here where I live. A basking lamp which I will keep on a timer on a 8 or 12 hour cycle? No light at night but my rhp can stay on. If this is some what correct I will be ordering my ap t10 soon [emoji847]

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

Thanks. So i kind of got it I think lol. As stated above I have a nice set up for my bp and the temps are great. So I will try to do the same set up for my skink, I will be ordering an ap t10 so if I have this right in my head lol I will have this set up.

Ap t10 an rhp to keep my temps right because it gets cold here where I live. A basking lamp which I will keep on a timer on a 8 or 12 hour cycle? No light at night but my rhp can stay on. If this is some what correct I will be ordering my ap t10 soon [emoji847]

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I personally don't think the RHP is necessary. The basking lamp will heat your cage during the day. The Skink does not need heat at night.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I personally don't think the RHP is necessary. The basking lamp will heat your cage during the day. The Skink does not need heat at night.


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Ok that's what I was looking for. So even if my home gets to low 50's 60's where I will keep him I'm still ok with just the basking lamp

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

Ok that's what I was looking for. So even if my home gets to low 50's 60's where I will keep him I'm still ok with just the basking lamp

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The basking lamp will not be on at night, at 50's and 60's is low.

You might need a RHP and UTH.

Just my two cents.

I think pretty much anything below 75ish would be too cold even for night temps on a regular basis.

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Originally Posted by Deu2e

Ok that's what I was looking for. So even if my home gets to low 50's 60's where I will keep him I'm still ok with just the basking lamp

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I'm not sure about 50s. I'd have to defer to those with more experience. They do brumate in the winter, but not sure what an acceptable low temp is.


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I'd think you'd either want an RHP or a basking lamp.... But I've never used an RHP. You could do an RHP and flexwatt combo also. BTW, are you getting a northern or an indo BTS? The northerns can handle cooler temps in winter (brumation) but Indos don't brumate. I only own a Merauke (Indo species) so I don't have experience with brumation.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I'd think you'd either want an RHP or a basking lamp.... But I've never used an RHP. You could do an RHP and flexwatt combo also. BTW, are you getting a northern or an indo BTS? The northerns can handle cooler temps in winter (brumation) but Indos don't brumate. I only own a Merauke (Indo species) so I don't have experience with brumation.

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That's a good point regarding brumation. The Australian species like Northern brumate. Meraukes and IJs from more tropical climates require higher humidity and do not brumate.

They don't require a lamp for basking, just a hot spot. A heat pad will work for this.

And just a side note - Northerns are all CBB. Most Meraukes, IJ and other non-Australian species are typically wild caught and should be taken to the vet to ensure they're free from parasites.


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Yes I was looking into a northern. I kind of figured I would need a tho because my weather get pretty low in the winter. My apt8 has an pro products ph12 for this reason. I t keeps my bp enclosure at the right temps. Once the summer hit I turn all heat sources off bring it's a consistent temp

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