How to setup a NATURALISTIC leopard gecko tank!! | GIVEAWAY!?!
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- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- New instagram link: / alpha.reptile #leopardgecko #reptiles #alphareptile
How to set up a naturalistic leopard gecko tank, featuring Exo Terra Stone desert landscaping substrate, live plants and more!
Links 👇
Merch: teespring.com/stores/alpharep...
Instagram: / graphicphoenix1
Facebook: / alphareptiles
Email: alphareptile.co@gmail.com
Twitter: / miketytula
Giveaway sponsored by Exo Terra - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Beautiful Tank. I'm from Germany and I don't understand all the words but I love your videos! You are a nice dude! 👍😉👍
Thanks for watching man! Glad you enjoy the content!
Kann dir gern übersetzen was du nicht verstanden hast, welche worte waren es denn?
@@pewpewcat7679 Ne, brauchst du nicht. Ich versteh ja schon einiges aber ich sehe ja all die schönen Tiere und Terras. Aber Danke.😂😉
Phasmiden & Mantiden TV why did i think german people spoke english ... america's school system sucks
@@alyssaameliia oh yeah. It sucks ass. I've been in both the us and german school system and I was about 2 years behind when I went back to germany. It was awful
I love this tank! It looks so amazing! You and Bree did a great job! I love how you have used as much space as possible to make such fun climbing and hiding spaces for Clementine 🧡
Clem loves it too! She uses every square inch as you probably know already haha
Wow that is a fab set up, love it! New to your channel, after watching and few other videos of yours, it has inspired me to do 2 set ups like this for my 2 boys. Ordered everything and now can't wait to start it all when everything arrives! I have learnt quite a bit from you so far so thank you, (wish i came across your channel sooner!) ^.^
Thanks for watching! Feel free to send me photos or questions on Instagram if you run into any issues! Glad you enjoyed the video
Awesome build you two! I really gotta upgrade my gecko's digs... Woo hoo for the Canadian contest but not an insta user
Just make a random instagram! Don't have to do anything but follow me, and once the giveaway is done, you can delete it haha
Just found your vids last week . I have a crested gecko and your vids helped me set is home up. keep up the awesome work
Thanks for watching Eric!
Thank you so much for this wonderfully helpful video. At this I have no experience with arid geckos...I run a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming for geckos. I have worked with and keep crested, gargoyles and many other tropical species. I also specialize in tokay geckos (Love this species!). I would like to expand to being able to provide bio-active housing for arid species as well. Your video goes a long way to helping me help these species as well. Thank you so very much!
So bioactive setups in the true sense of the word are very difficult to create for arid species. This video will definitely help with the naturalistic style of keeping.
5:55 what are you doing in my swamp?!
Excellent work on this tank, you two did fantastic on it, I absolutely love how it turned out. Bummed that I can't enter the giveaway, but hopefully you'll be able to do one with Americans some day. Anyways, lovely video, mate!
Thanks for watching man! I appreciate your continued support :) Hopefully next time they will agree to NA wide!
That's really awesome. I like it more than the Excavator Clay from the looks of it. I'm looking forward to trying it out at some point
Honestly, even if Exo Terra didn't send me the product... this blows excavator out of the water!
Definitely using this video as a tank inspiration for my leopard gecko that I’m getting, I also subbed
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!
I like the look of it. I am always tempted to try using a little plaster of paris because it is so much work and I wouldn't want to have to keep doing it.I guess that it would be terrible if you ever wanted to get it out though
Plaster of paris? I am not familiar, what is it?
Im about to create my obscenely large enclosure for my leopard gecko. This was very inspirational. Thank you.
Thanks Amber! Your leo deserves it :)
I have a leperd gecko that think she a crested gecko and is always climbing. Love the tank.
Ya Bree's is super active and climbing all the time as well
This is literally the only review of this product in English on UA-cam. I'm curious as to how much the clay hardened after drying? My son and I want to do a custom enclosure for his gecko but I'm not exactly impressed with the way the excavator clay looks like it would crumble even after it's dried. Thanks for the video, I'm glad i came across it
Thanks for watching Derek! It's crazy that it's the only one in english right?? I have another video on my channel using it as well.
Enclosure looks Awesome.👍
Thanks man! I appreciate it
awesome build u guys did !!! stay safe and keep building ;)
Absolutely Johny! You as well
beautiful terra! might have to grab myself a bag of the stuff
Honestly if you are considering building an arid built, this stuff is great!
Bro I love your videos I watch all your stuff I surf your playlists man you a king 👑
I'm from Calgary man ! I got a question would this clay build be ok with bioactive ? I wanna do a 40 gallon 😮
That's awesome! I lived in Calgary for 24 years! a true bioactive tank doesn't work too well typically, but you could do a nice naturalistic tank.
thanks for sharing. I really like your setup!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed
Just built the background for my own leopard gecko viv! It didn’t go as planned, because I put what I thought would be a good amount of water, (which was way too much) but I put some coco coir and sphagnum moss in their and it should be good. We’ll see how it dries!
Hopefully, it dries alright! Good luck on the build!
@@MikeTytula thanks dude!
@@nhherpingwildlife3666 No problem!
Hey Mike! how'd you clean up the excess clay and streak marks on the glass left behind when you applied the clay?it looks super clean!
Just a paper towel and some water, occasionally a razor blade
I’m so sad I’m British. But great video! Clementine looks great in there she reminds me of my Leo (Rango)
She does look incredible in the setup! I can't wait to see her in it myself
wait why'd you say you was sad your british ?
Looks great, nicely done.
Cheers! Thanks!
That looked awesome im getting a leopard when everything is settled down a bit to. I would love to hear your ideas with a bioactive build and this clay. Should i mix it togheter or any other ideas that could i would realy love to use this clay to. What color clay do you think looks most natural for a leopard habitat?
Great channel appreciate all your cool videos
I reckon either the one we used or the black, the red wouldn't really suit the terrain of a leopard gecko. Since I haven't had the opportunity to mix the substrate with anything I won't recommend it yet, but for the next build I am doing, I will likely mix it with something and can recommend it after that.
@@MikeTytula oh cool i will definetly look out for that video then :D
At very least I will try it
That was nice.. I really like what y'all did with balloons to make void's.
It worked well!
That looks amazing and I'm trying to think of what background on my leopard gecko tank but I can't think of what I want to have as a background for my boy leopard gecko
Try and build something like this! Or order something from a company like Universal rock.
Can you give an update on how this is holding up now? Is the clay still as sturdy as it was at the beginning? Thank you so much!
I ended up selling the enclosure but the enclosure held together great!
"ok, kids"....LOL how about 45 year olds? Haha :) I'm revamping my cage and remembered you had great tutorials on substrate. In fact, years ago I watched one from you and bought that clay litter and just have never put it to the test but today is the day. Now just trying to find that bag I bought 2 years ago :)
Haha good luck finding it! Thanks for watching and hopefully this helped!
Hey I’m new to ur channel and I love ur content it’s incredible and inspiring. I love this setup and I was wondering if u could ever find time to do a new leopard gecko enclosure setup or even just update it. My name is Noah but I’m on my mom’s computer and I’m trying to convince them to let me get a leopard gecko I have wanted one for a year now and I do research every day. I want to tell you to keep going and continue to do what you love.
Thanks for watching Noah! Unfortunately I won't be making another large setup for a leopard gecko for quite some time, but the principles in the videos I have here are still good!
cool tank! I am a little sad that the color of the clay didn't match up better with the soil you guys chose. I think that really would have brought it all together really nicely!
Ya man! You win some, you lose some! Glad to see you going back through some older videos!
I just recently got into geckoes and I really love this setup but I'm curious about a few things since there's conflicting info out there, first how do you clean this type of setup? Second I've heard that substrate can be bad for geckoes because they accidentally ingest it during feeding time so how do we avoid that with this type of setup and lastly I love live plants but how do we keep them thriving in such an environment, are there plants that are no nos?
Mostly spot cleaning for this viv! Substrate can be totally fine for geckos, you can tong feed, or use a feeding dish if you are worried. MOst plants are okay for Leopard geckos because they don't consume the plant matter.
Amazing 👏 🙀 😮 😲 😯
One question what kind of UVB light did you use ?🤔
Arcadia Shadedweller
amazing Iove this I will try to do the same soon... Thank you !!
Good luck! They are a ton of fun to make!
damn cool video i need some of that Stone desert stuff
It works pretty well! Done two tanks with it so far
Are there gonna be more vids since everyone is quarantined
Next week should be back to two a week, and maybe a livestream if people are interested
Mike Tytula looking forward to it
Better see you commenting on each one ;) Gotta follow through with your request for more videos haha
Mike Tytula I will my school is shut down and the staff are running around like their heads are cut off so I got hella free time
Right on! hahah
Love the design, but how do you clean inside the hides?
There will be substrate so I will be able to scoop any excrements out
What species was the coffee plant in the chameleons enclosure?????
I'm honestly not sure, I just got it as wild Coffee plant
Could you mix this with an ABG substrate to help with tunneling species? Like a ball python?
I suppose you could give it a try, it gets very heavy and clumpy when its wet it something youd have to test!
I agree with Bree! You would really have to do a test to see if it works
Very nice Mike!!
Thanks Matt! Hopefully you enjoyed!
I’m from Italy and your videos is really intresting
Thanks for watching!
Okay so I got the same tank and am currently playing with placement, where is the best spot for a moist hide and how big\small should it be?
Honestly it totally depends on how you want to set the tank up. It's an individual choice on what you think is best. Obviously for a humid hide you want it to accommodate the size of your lizard, and for it to move around in that hide.
How did you go about making and maintaining a humid hide for naturalistic leopard gecko tank?
We just mist the tank a couple times a week
Your so Creative. Looks like your Leo loves it.. You and your Girlfriend are great together! Keep up the good work man! My Favourite UA-cam Channel🙂🦎
Thanks Callum, that means a ton!
YES! you replied 😊
Of course
Where did you get the arid mix? I can’t find it in the US.
I think it is very hard to find in the states rn
Where did you get the calcium and vitamin bowl?
Probably some big box pet store, but most likely they aren't made anymore
HI, thank you for doing these wonderful videos. i have watched more of them, then todays subscribe i clicked. i just don't pay attention if i clicked. I was noticing how wonderful this new product is, compared to using grout on foam.. So glad they designed it. what i did not get to see though, is with your balloons there, you have it so you can see her in the cave now? from outside her enclosure? i used the spray foam for that effect on a spider enclosure i made for my son.. so I was curious if you's did this too.. thanks again for make how to videos i am bonniebarink on IG
The whole point of the hide in the back is so she can get away from eyesight, so no you can't see her while she's back there.
im curious if you could use a party/long balloon to make a tunnel :P
You certainly could@
is this the same as excavator clay? if not whats the difference?
It's a similar concept, but this stuff is much better IMO.
How do you clean out these hides that are fixed structures?
I checked them quite frequently
I just bought this stuff. I was wondering if it's still mouldable when dry?. I am wondering, because if I change my mind at some point. Is it possible to make a new hide, or make the previous one bigger? Also I have a bearded dragon 😁
You can rehydrate it and kind of manoeuvre it
How do you get those like rocks for back round
Those are Universal Rock Background
Do you think you could use that substrate dry on a foam/silicone base like you’d do with cocoa fiber?
I’ve seen people use it this way dry. Not sure how it would work wet
Because of the moisture, I wouldn't bother trying it. If you want to though, feel free and let me know how it goes
what happens if you need to replace the heat mat?
It’s on the bottom... so you just peel it off and stick another one there
Amazing tank setup! I really like the many "secret" holes and tunnels. I'm going to get my first Leopard Gecko and I'm buying the Exo terra 90 x 45 x 60cm tank for him. I want to design the whole tank in a desert theme and I'm curious if I can use the exo terra stone desert substrate as bedding? I'm a bit worried because there are some bigger and smaller (sharp?) stones in it and I don't want to harm my gecko.
many greetings from germany!
I probably wouldn't use it as a substrate tbh, the earthmix arid is the way to go! haha
Do they need any dirt or anything like that to dig?
They will move around the soil and what not, so it's kinda up to you
Is there any risk of impaction in the Geckos stomach?
Can this substrate be used in a bioactive strophurus ciliaris setup? If so, what springtails/isopods can be used?
There is, but impaction is a manmade issue, with proper heat and hydration impaction shouldn't be an issue in most cases.
Amazing habitat I have 7 leopard geckos do you think they would enjoy a bioactive habitat
They for sure would! Hopefully they aren't all in the same setip
Thanks for sharing. God bless and stay safe.
Thanks Michele! You as well
This is a few years old but do you know how many lbs I would need for a 4x2x2 habitat, think it is 120 gallons
Depends how crazy you wanted to get with the substrate and construction
How's cleaning with this product?
Mildly challenging
How can you clean the hides
The substrate is loose inside so we can't scrub them down but we can clean the substrate inside each hide.
Where did she get the food bowl? I have to have it !I love the food bowl!
uhhhhhh I think pet smart
I have a question, What substrate have you used for the terrarium?, I am trying to search a good sustrate for my leopard gecko and yours is very good, like a type of soil, pls ask me and I will thank you very much
This is arcadia earthmix arid.
I understand this video was kind of sponsored by Exo-Terra and the main thing was to show off their product but I lately build few of those just 36x18 and cant imagine using that clay, at least not on its own like you did. I cant even imagine how heavy that tank must be, what I do is I simply buy big thick sheet of polyester, shape it and cover it with thin layer of clay. That also allows you to cut out some pieces that can be put in and out so you have better access to hides etc. My main concern would be the hide she went into first, if she wont feel like coming out or make toilet out of it then it will be a nightmare to get her out or to clean in there.
Thankfully she doesn't make a toilet out of it. And ya it's quite heavy but your way would also work, we kind of did that with the broken foam background as space occupiers.
@@MikeTytula ye mate polyester sheets all the way and also expanding foam for cracks, gaps and as a bonding agent to keep polyester pieces together. Its working great
Oh ya I believe it!
may I ask why you guys didn't make it bioactive?
She did after the video!
did you use the full amount of stone desert in your terrarium ?
most of it!
When will you do a giveaway that includes the UK where’s the love fro your UK followers? I love the tank build you both made it look so easy and so much fun! One day i will be brave enough to make my own custom terrarium. One Day hopefully in the near by future!
I'm sure I could work something out for the UK followers fairly easily haha, I will look into it for another video or something.
Where in UK you are from?
MGecko PMPL Nelsons County
Where did you order your Arcadia Arid substrate? I am in Hinton Alberta.
ReptilesRuS
Is there any concern about the open cell Styrofoam releasing any chemicals when heated up by the mat? Or is it a non concern at those temperatures?
I am not concerned as the temps don’t reach all that high!
My channel is all about my ball pythons but seriously considering getting one of these little guys
Leopards are pretty awesome!
Can you use this as dry substrate
I dont recommend it
I'm so mad I lost a really nice setup. Made my own backdrop and put so much work into it and right when it was ready for me to finally use 🤬. I took months to get it just perfect. It was super nice. Damn it.
I'm bitter
😐
Gonna do it all again, second time's a charm? 😆
Haha second time will be the charm this time haha
Great video and beautiful desert vivarium , Your Girlfriend’s Lil desert “dino “is going to be happy !
Clementine is very happy! Climbing all over the place
Quick question are you required to have a uvb and uva light for a leopard gecko or just a heat mat ?
It's beneficial to provide UVB and UVA so I would recommend it.
@@MikeTytula ok thank you
@@jdmthemeparkenthusiast1871 Cheers
If you ever do another giveaway could you also include New Zealand? Love the vids btw, keep up the great content
Most likely not Ben. Shipping would be wildly expensive, unless I partnered with a NZ or AUS based company
@@MikeTytula ok thanks :)
What type of plants are those
Various different succulents
two question - 1) can you use earthmix arid without bioactive setup? 2) Does earth mix arid stain leopard gecko skin?
Yes you can use it without, and no it doesnt stain at all
Hey, a few questions... you mixed a huge batch of clay, but did build over a few days... did you have to keep the clay wet with a wet towel so it didnt harden? Or do you just re-wet it... which i would think no. So definitely give feedback on that unused mixed clay to be used later next day. Also, did you put coconut shavings in hides or what was the bedding in them.
I am not canadian unfortunately but my one eye kitten (profile image) is my rescue adopted from Montreal Quebec Canada named Monty-Que. 😉 @key2remember
Aww he's so cute! it hardened and I just add some warm water and it's good as new!
Would this work for a Fat tailed gecko?
It should but you would just need to keep the tank a little more humid
Hey man, i’m not sure if you still reply to comments but i’m really hoping to get a gecko soon and have been doing my research, is the substrate you used okay to use? does it have to be one of those bio environments or can i just use it as a substitute for toilet paper etc
It can be used as just a standard substrate!
Yo what are the dimensions of the terrarium?
Strikers is 26x20x20
totes butt-hurt about the giveaway. That tank is beautiful though guys! looks awesome!!
haha sorry Liz! Maybe next time if this one goes well!
I use clay mixed with leaves soil and sand for my leopard geckos enclouseres. Would i be able to replace tha clay in the mix for that product?
Btw the set up is awsome but too small and too few cover for the lizard
Yes the exo terra stone desert will work great!
She has 3 very concealed hides to cover away under. She is not a shy leo and never has been and enjoys climbing the enclosure all night long, once the jade grows in she will have more foliage cover. I would have preferred a larger tank but she stresses in anything larger then this size (I had her in a 36x18x18 and a 24x18x18) so unfortunately this is the size she has to go in to feel comfortable and continue to eat. I do understand your concern but shes in what's best for her which is at least the minimum for Leo's with as much usable space as I can offer her.
BreezExotics i understand. You know your animal and you know whats best for her. I just thought that with more hides she would feel more confortable in a larger enclousere but just guessing
@@GuilhermeOliveira-vs7uh ya I see where you're coming from! I tried similar things with larger enclosures with tons of hides and cover but she stopped eating and lost weight. Shes healthy and happy right now, I may try again to upgrade her in the future as I'd also prefer a larger enclosure
Is a 5.0 zoo med uvb bulb good for a leopard gecko in a 20 gal long?
Depends how close it is the to gecko and if its through mesh or not.
@@MikeTytula it can be anywhere from 12-15 inches and it is through a screen lid
@@MikeTytula never mind Im just ordering the Arcadia mini t5 uvb kit. It seems to be good for leopard geckos
Great! That is what I was going to recommend haha
Oh boy! I wish I won the bag of dirt giveaway!
Remember if you are in canada, you need to leave you IG handle in the comment
what's the lamp you use for the terrarium ?
For just light you mean?
@@MikeTytula yes
Jungle dawn LED bar
Can you put links to all the products?
What were you looking for?
is terra sahara good
nooooo
What morph of gecko is he?
Honestly I think he was hypo eclipse tangerine?
Hey Mike - do you think this Exo Terra Stone Desert substrate would work in a wooden terrarium?
I cant think of why it wouldn't?
@@MikeTytula it's a melamine type enclosure so it's not water proof... it's "moisture-resistant". So wondering if the wet mixture would damage the wood and also if it would stick to it?
Ohhh if edges aren't sealed with silicone, I wouldn't use this.
But where do I get earthmix arid in the US? It's impossible to find
I don’t think it’s available in the US
@@MikeTytula darn! Thanks for getting back to me though
Ya sorry about that!
Thx for sharing
Thanks for watching!
6:58 i dont know if you tried it, but just putting the stuff on top of soil, small mist, plus heat lamp and it harden with the sand/rock effect.
Edit: You did lol hahahha thx
hahah thanks for the tip though!
@@MikeTytula hahahaha
To all Americans!!!!!!! Now you know how it feels to be european. I'm personally not that upset as europeans usually aren't included in give aways. Greetings from Austria
Very true
My leo would love this
It would for sure!
@@MikeTytula he'd be so happy
Go for it
I do indeed enjoy this
Glad you enjoyed!
Awesome video
Thanks Christine! Glad you enjoyed
what the heck how do I buy this exoterra stuff tho?
Go to your local reptile shop and ask them to order it.
Do heating pads work through the substrate
Yes they do!
Heat mats are not a good heat source. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.
@@nightinggale6470 While this is true, in some cases it's extremely difficult to rig up a halogen bulb, especially in many leopard gecko setups.
@@MikeTytula in most cases it’s not that difficult, at least from what I know.
That enclosure is more of a crested gecko enclosure. Leo’s don’t like to climb the height of the the tank. They need more floor space
Simply not true. The leo climbs all the way up the background as uses the entire space.
Mike Tytula most Leos just don’t like to climb that high considering they aren’t like cresties . Tho some will climb a little bit but not like the terrarium that you got!
That's just not true, if given the space to climb... most of the time they do. Many hours of the night we find Clem climbing the entirety of the background.
What the lamp?
Huh?