Groovy Doug. Thats just the info I needed, and about what I
expected. Im still a few months from breeding, but Im sure the dynamic
will change when that time comes. What it ends up stabilizing out as
is another question...Ive got a reserve tank already set up and ready
to rock in case theres too much male aggressiveness. And, this one is
smaller, so I could find any eggs if necessary. Im hoping that the
area is large enough that it can accomodate two groups, but Im also a
realist who likes to have a backup plan.....
As far as the construction of the tank itself, well, its part of
the whole "foam background" craze that is sweeping some groups (pdf's
in particular). I used an "eggcrate" (light diffuser) skeleton, a
polyester screening mesh above that, wired in pieces of cork, then
filled the large gaps between with "great stuff" expanding foam
insulator. On top of that, I painted on "weldbond", then liberally
sprinkled peat, potting soil, coco fiber mixed together. Then, to fill
in gaps in the soil/peat/coco, I used a little black silicone, and
spaghnum stuck to that. First attempt at using this stuff, so theres
gaps in it that didnt get enough peat/coco/soil, but probably none that
you can see on the pics. Next time Ill dilute the weldbond a bit more
to make it more easily painted on, and actually mix in the soil mix.
Ive got a friend who did that on a large frog tank, and it looks
fantastic. Though, realistically, our two tanks had completely
different purposes, and mine came out with a rougher, more uneven
texture that seems to fit the geckos well. Lots of little nooks and
crannies that they can get a grip on, and that creeping plants/vines
can eventually hold on to. But, his looks incredible, so Im not sure
theres any real advantages to my method of sprinkling on the
mix......and his looks more "even"....
Bottom is a false bottom using the eggcrate, with a layer of
leica, then approximately the same soil mix laid on top of that.
Fountain pump used to move water to the branch, thru a "splitter" that
is a dripper also (made by Toro). I got the idea from www.blackjungle.com Theyve got
an incredible open front tank on their site. But, I didnt like the
whole thing covered in silicone like they did, so I did some
investigating into how the Euros do some of their wet tanks, and ran
into info on Weldbond. Great, versatile glue is basically all it is.
Okay, totally more info than anyone asked for, but I thought that
might answer some unasked questions. Mister comes in for one minute
twice a day, two misting nozzles in the tank. Right now is a "dry"
period for a few days to allow some of the plants lower down to dry out
a bit, and I do that about every two weeks, for a day or two. Its been
set up for about two months, and thats the only variation that Ive had
to make. Lost some plants in the beginning, as always happens to me,
but overall, Im very pleased with how its come out.
Chad
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 13:36:38 -0800
From: Doug Johnston <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [gecko]Re: klem tank pics
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Chad...
Whenever I find any Phelsuma eggs, with the exception of standingi, I
remove them and incubate. Since my tanks are also naturalistic (to a
much lesser degree than yours, but with lots of hiding places) I often
don't find all the eggs. I know I've missed some when I spot
hatchling(s) in with the adults. Since I rarely find more than one, I'm
assuming some are lost to adult predation.
Even with P. standingi, I remove the eggs from one of my 3 breeding
groups. I started finding tiny tails, etc. in the tanks about the time
the eggs hatched, and no hatchlings. The other 2 pairs, the eggs are
left in situ. I leave the hatchlings in the tank with the adults until
they start to change their coloration to that of adults. If I'm late,
dad takes interest in the girls, and the boys that start to take
interest in mom end up worse for wear!!! I've had 3 or 4 clutches of
hatchlings in a tank with the adults at one time! It's pretty funny
when
they all pile on mom and dad under the basking lights! One other word
of
warning... I took a couple of the older babies from the adult tank for
a
show once. Sold one and just dumped the other back in with the group.
Bad idea!!! It had only be en gone 24 hours, but that was enough for it
to lose whatever identification they have to be accepted by the
parents.
Got the crap beat out of it before I noticed!!!
Aggressiveness in P. klemmeri??? I've never seen it in any of my
groups.
I keep them in 1.2 groups for breeding. I've never kept 2 males
together
in a breeding group, though, and I wouldn't recommend it. Of course, if
you have a huge tank with separate basking areas and enough space
between them for 2 groups to establish individual territories without
overlap, I suppose it's possible. I just don't know how big it would
have to be. Likely larger than the tank you've pictured. FWIW, I
usually
keep clutch mates together until they are sexable. I've had two males
who grew up together coexist with no problems. Of course, if a female
was introduced I'd expect all hell to break out!!!
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