Will Be Getting a BTS

[rico]

Hi. I'm new here and am trying to get as much information as possible before I buy one. I won't even be looking at getting a blue tongue for about 1 1/2 to 2 yrs., but have been doing a lot of research. I do have a few questions though. First, is it okay to use a large bin as an enclosure? My turtle is in one and has been for several years. It's dimensions are that of a 90 gal. tank. Would something similar be all right? For a first timer, would you suggest looking for a baby or something a little bigger? I know BTS are hardy, but I don't know exactly how fragile a baby would be. Expect many questions from me. I don't believe in getting any pet without the proper research and although I read about them daily, some answers are still hard to find. One last thing, I'm not into the idea of buying online, (I like to be able to meet the animal before committing to buying). Would a reptile expo be the best way to get one?

[Dood]

BTSkinks need a 100'F basking area and some plastics melt at this temperature and for those that don't if the heat lamp gets shifted too close to the side it will melt and release toxic fumes or even catch fire and not worth the risk IMHO

BTS are born running so newborns are a substantial size and don't require any specialized care except more frequent feedings

[NickBrahz]

Getting them as baby juvenile or adult is all down to personal preference, being a first time owner doesn't matter what age you get them just a tiny bit more effort goes into them as they grow up a main part is you feed them more frequently as Dood said above.

Well i don't know how it is up in US but what if you live close enough to a breeder or somebody parting with a bluie you should be able to arrange meeting up in person to have a look at them first and then pick which out of them you would like, but other then that reptile expo should be a good way as well to see them before you buy them if the first option isn't available.

[Noah H.]

In my opinion, I would skip the plastic bin and go for a glass terrarium. It will probably be better for regulating the correct temperatures and providing the space you need for a Blue Tongue. The minimum size for a baby Blue Tongue is a 40g breeder, which you can usually find fairly easily for about $20 or so on craigslist; however, if you're going to get a bigger skink you'll want a larger tank (more length and width rather than height). I personally chose to get a baby for the experience of bonding with it.

[rico]

Size was actually the reason I was thinking the bin. Like I said, the one I have my turtle in, has around the same length and width of a 90 gal. tank, but not as tall. It's one of the ones meant for large Christmas trees. It's a lot lighter to handle than a big glass enclosure and much cheaper. I'll forego it though if it's really not safe. Thank you all for the responses.

[Ray Gurgui]

If you mean the Iris VE-175 Christmas Tree Storage tubs , they work great ! You just have to cut out the lid to
add screen or wire mesh . It's easy to do , then just wire tie your spot light to the screen so it cant fall off or melt the sides .
Been using them for my Gidgee Skinks since 2008 never had a problem !
The tub is 52L X 17W x 14H with the lid on , even has built in locks on each end.

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[Richard.C]

neat set up ray,i like it

[rico]

Yes. I didn't have any pictures, but that's what my turtle's in. I have something else worked out for the top, but like the way you did it better.

[Bluish]

I find that glass tanks are harder to heat and lose the heat quickly especially if you have cold winters. I prefer plastic, wood, or pvc.

[Dood]

A trick to help hold heat in an aquarium is to put that pink sheet insulation on 2 or 3 sides and or even as a partial lid (not anywhere near a heat lamp) or use a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood as a lid, it is less likely to spontaniously combust than thinner wood if you get lighting issues.

If you don't like the pink then you can put a poster picture against the glass first and the pink behind

[starscream3232]

Thanks for the pics Ray. I'm working on a new set up for my skinks. Going from 5 northerns to 8 soon. I think this setup will work great for me.

[splashy07]

What a great idea, Ray! Going to go home and make one, just in case.....(Reptile show this weekend!!)

[Ray Gurgui]

What a great idea, Ray! Going to go home and make one, just in case.....(Reptile show this weekend!!)

That show is in my old hometown Brentwood long island.

Back to tubs.
If it's hard to keep the temps up now, when you get tubs, only cut out half or one quarter of the lid to screen
you can always cut out more if needed.

[splashy07]

Wish you still lived here, but I'll be heading to florida too when I retire one of these days, and would like to get myself a part time job working with reptiles! Going to look into the tub thing, saw some nice ones at Big Lots yesterday. Hopefully breeding sometime soon, and this would be a great alternative to tanks.