Need Advice

[TokayBlueTongue]

Hi everyone, I plan on getting a bts from an expo Febuary 1st or 2nd. And I was really having a hard time deciding on tank size. I plan on hopefully getting a baby and I heard that the minimum tank size is 55-75 gallon or even larger. Though I know a 55 gallon has a width of 12 inches which I believe is Definetly not a large enough tank for a 18-24 inch blue tongue. So what is the growth rate of these guys, like I heard they can get adult size in little over their first year. Not sure if that is true or not but hopefully you guys can tell me if that is so. So just want everyone's opinion on it and if you have advice for a first time bts owner I'm open to anything. Not my first time keeping reptiles as I currently own a tokay gecko and leopard gecko. very confused and I am on a budget as I am only 14 with no job so I'm not made of money.

[Dakota]

I use 55 gallons, and I HATE it. Definitely do NOT use a standard 55 gallon. If you go with aquariums, a 90 gallon is perfect. If you are looking for cheap housing go to Wal-Mart and buy the 50+ gallon tubs.

If you want to go with over-priced reptile made cages, Vision cages are really good, a 40 gallon breeder for a smaller species is good, as well.

[Ray Gurgui]

This is the tub Dakota was talking about from Wal-Mart, they will be there for the next two weeks . Christmas tree storage tubs 52 L X 18 W X 14.5 H with the locking lid on. I cut out the lid and add 1/4 in mesh, and I wire tie the lamp dome to the mesh so it cant fall off . Its a very strong tub made by Iris, and light weight to carry outside for cleaning. Its only there for sale after Christmas they will be gone by new years , I think they might still be only $ 30.00 ea.

screen room 002.JPG

[Richard.C]

Those are a great sized tub ray,reasonable price to,wish we got them here

[TokayBlueTongue]

So would a 75 gallon be fine for life? I'm guessing so but I just want to be sure. And also could you guys post pictures of your setups for them. I'm currently trying to figure out how I want his tank set up and can't find really any good setup ideas. Thanks and merry Christmas

[Dakota]

Sorry, I meant 75 gallons, not 90. And yes, unless you get a monster (25"+) skink.

[Susann]

Personally I don't like to go with anything that has less than 18" on any side (...other than height). 36" x 18" floor space is considered minimum for an adult skink of any size.

[Dakota]

I think general rule of thumb, double the length of the skink for the length of the cage, multiply .75 by the length of the animal to get the width of the cage.. or the width of the actual length of the animal.

[Susann]

The more floor space you can give them, the better it is, but minimum for an adult skink is considered 36" x 18"

[Coomassie]

I believe I have my adult northern in 36 x 24. It is smaller than I would like but it does the job. Coomassie also gets to spend a lot of time out of his cage so I feel a little less bad about it.

[Ophidiophile]

This is the tub Dakota was talking about from Wal-Mart, they will be there for the next two weeks . Christmas tree storage tubs 52 L X 18 W X 14.5 H with the locking lid on...I think they might still be only $ 30.00 ea.

Well thanks to Ray I'm now the proud owner of 20 of these (and $600 poorer). Seriously, I've recently been looking at upgrading my skinks into reptile cages that are 48" x 18" x 12" and cost ~$200 each. For the price of only three of those, I've now got 20 cages that are even larger. They are also really light and sturdy. So thanks for the tip Ray!

Now got to think about shelving and putting screens into the tops. Oh yay, another project...

[Dakota]

I'd be being them all up, too!

If I wasn't planning to house them outside (like actually outside, not on my patio) this summer.

[TokayBlueTongue]

I recently as of today just became a little restricted in funds so for practically the 1st year till Christmas next year I am going to be keeping my future bts in a 55 gallon fishtank I have on hand already with screen lid. I will hopefully be upgrading to a 75 with the next 2 years once he/she is adult size.

[Dakota]

I tell you man, you are going to hate it. Once you put an appropriately sized water-bowl in with them, they have to basically climb over it just to get to the other side. You will often find them climbing up the sides, as well.. because it isn't wide,, and that can be really harmful to a growing baby if he starts doing it causing the back to deform.

I'm just telling you my experience, you could start a newborn off in one, but I would definitely not wait 2 years.

[Richard.C]

You can always put water bowl ect on an elevated plat form,makes more floor space and doubles as a hide underneath

Babies will still climb at sides of even large cages,6x2x2,nothing wrong with starting out with a 55gallon or even smaller for babies,and getting bigger cages as they grow

More important is getting conditions right inside,no matter what the cage size is

[TokayBlueTongue]

Yea saying 1-2 years was probaly a stretch but I have had ideas for an elavated water dish as a cool hide and an elavated basking platform as also a warm side hide. Then have stuff in between for him to search through and hide in. I also plan on taking him/her out regularly for handling and allowing him/her to roam around.

[critterguy]

The tubs I use for my guys are about 3 x 1.5. and about 6 inches high. I used to have mine in taller tubs but the height is unused and watching them arch their backs on the sides made me pretty uncomfortable. Those Christmas tree tubs sound great-if I had more space I would likely be using those. Make sure the latches for whatever model/tub you get are secure.

Screens are a must if you are using clamp lamps

but if you are going to be using belly/back heat using pads, cable or similar a drill with a hole cutter bit will do just fine to ventilate the tubs.