First step toward skink ownership!

[nightfury]

I just went to the local pet shop and put a tank on layaway, woo! It was 36x18x16 with a screen top. The only tank they had that opened from the front was long enough, but didn't have much floor space. Clearly meant for climbing/perching reptiles. Boo. I'll probably need to get a stand for it, since I have plenty space, but no -counter- space currently set up in the living-room, since that's where I'm wanting to keep my Bluey once I get one. I spend the majority of my time in the living-room since I work from home, so definitely want my skink to be in the same space. <3

I know it's a minor little announcement, but I'm excited!

[Romeyrider]

Yea! I am so exited for you!

[YouSureSkink]

Congratz nightfury, I have suggestion for a stand since you mentioned needing one. I got a 36x18x18 terrarium on sale at my local pet shop and needed somewhere to put it as well. I found this at my local Ikea for $150: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produ ... #/40242629

All together it took about 1.5 - 2 hrs to put it together. The tank fits perfectly, with a couple inches of spare room on each side. It's also solid wood and very sturdy. The drawers are nice for storing any accessories like canned food, temp gun, paper towels, etc.

Full disclosure: I don't work for Ikea or anything, but I spent a lot of time looking for something that would fit the enclosure and not look out of place. That was the best I came up with for the price.

[Carnivale]

Oh, that looks awesome! Thanks for the suggestion! I live in a somewhat small town and I don't think we have an Ikea, but will definitely be looking around for something like that. The drawers would come in handy for food and supply storage.

[DianaBlueTongue]

Aw yay! Big congrats! Getting ready for a new bluey is half the fun! Just wait till you have the tank completely set up and all youre waiting on is your new little babe to arrive!

[Haley]

That is awesome! Have you tried looking for any babies yet? Or just getting the tank part down first?

[Carnivale]

That is awesome! Have you tried looking for any babies yet? Or just getting the tank part down first?

I have! I've put a deposit down on this beautiful baby from James Wilson:

2014 Northern 13.2.JPG

And it's looking like I should be able to get the tank and neccesities all paid for and brought home sometime this week, and then just have to pay the remaining cost of my baby. I'm extremely excited!

[DianaBlueTongue]

Oh wow! Huge congrats! This was my favorite from that litter, love his little face. James' babes are just awesome and he himself is equally so to deal with, my babe from him is so calm and happy and healthy and gorgeous, I know you'll be just as happy with you little one from him too. Make sure to post lots of pics when you get him too! I love that you've taken such a responsible approach to getting your first skink and the enthusiasm you show just makes me smile cuz I know you'll be just an awesome skink parent.

[Carnivale]

Thanks so much, Diana! <3 I'm just really happy to have found this community full of so much support, with good, reliable breeders.

As an update, I brought the tank home today! I got coco bedding so the bedding would provide a nice dark contrast to my light-colored baby, a big corner bowl for water, some repti-calcium with D3, UV heat light/lamp, a can of omnivorous reptile food, etc. I also got some little decorative fake plant things. I just need to get a basking rock/hide, and a temperature reader/gun.

Since I couldn't find any good hides that would be big enough locally, I decided to make my own "budget hides" out of some small plastic kitty litter containers, one for the warm side and one for the cool side (never used, they're brand new). Just until I can order some proper hides online. I'm just going to cut holes in them, so my Bluey can go in and out.

I got a 50watt bulb, but I'm thinking I might need something bigger? I'm not totally sure.

I'll take some pictures of the setup tonight!

[Haley]

What a gorgeous baby! I should be getting mine from Mel soon and I am so excited.
I found a great sized hide, though I cannot remember what brand at the moment. I will take a look and see if I can find it for you. It was one of the few that had a fairly large opening as opposed to being very small.

[Haley]

These were one of the better ones I found in the pet store, I have the 3rd size and it looks like it will last from what I can tell.

[Carnivale]

Oohh, I love the looks of that! I'll have to look round the internet to find those.

[DianaBlueTongue]

You can make hides outta almost anything, I build my blueys hides outta flat pieces of melamine and a couple cut pieces of 1x3's. It's a great multi purpose hide cuz the melamine top is flat and smooth and acts as a great basking platform.

As for the bulb, don't worry about buying special reptile heat bulbs. I buy all mine from home depot, the regular large flood bulbs work just as well, or the larger outdoor ones. They even sell bulbs that are made for plants but are made exactly the same way as the expensive reptile spot bulbs with a hot concentrated beam. So long as you have the right temp underneath it doesn't matter what kind of bulb you use and you'll save a lot of money in the long run.

[DianaBlueTongue]

Here's the one I made for my northern, Henry

[Carnivale]

Your setup looks awesome! What wattage bulbs do you use? I wasn't sure precisely what to get and would put off enough heat, so I just have a 50watt right now. I can easily take it back, though, if I need something else.

[Carnivale]

Okay, just ordered a temp gun from LLLReptiles, so yay!

Also, forgive the low quality of my camera phone, haha. XD But this is my current setup. Just waiting for money to clear into my paypal so I can pay the rest that's due for my baby.

IMG_20140730_160952.jpg

The table isn't the final spot for the enclosure, but I tapped myself out money-wise, so I just have to wait a little while before I get a stand. For now, though, the table is sturdy and should be fine in the meantime.