BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I am planning on getting a BTS in the future, but, of course, I would like to get the cage and everything setup and running before hand. The one problem I'm having, which is the biggest, is that I can't find a tank! It would be incredinly convient if I just bought the same 48x24x12 cage from animalplastics.com that I'm going to buy for my snake...but I read (I think on this caresheet) that a solid cage probably isn't the best to go with.
So, does anyone know of a good company/website? I've looked at www.glasscages.com and it seems like their overpriced. I saw an aquarium in a store today for $30 less than them, and without taking into consideration the shipping.... Also, their acrylic terrariums don't go above 18 wide, and the glass ones don't have an option to buy online
I'm in quite a predicament.
My skink adventure isn't going well.

Where abouts in the world do you live?
Will be easier for people to find suitable vivs at reasonable prices that will deliver to you that way.

I'll agree that viv prices can be a bit OTT.. which is why i got my viv as a christmas present

had a look at that animal plastics site.. and have to say i don't have a clue if that sort of thing would be at all suitable.. but im sure others here will have a much better idea of that.

worst comes to the worst, you could maybe build your own? or convert an old cuboard or what ever.. sure you can get second hand cuboards and bookcases and what ever for pretty good prices and they'd probably make a very good starting point.. though i'v not done this personally so again i'm sure others will be able to comment more on that if that is an option for you.

good luck, don't give up!

I currently live Louisville, KY, USA, but am moving to Baltimore, MD, USA which is where I'll be when I get a BTS.

Yes, AP cages (and similar types) are basically for snakes, I suppose.

I've considered building, but I think it would cost just as much as buying one. Or would it not?

Hey Echo, Tigergensis (I believe) houses all her blueys in AP cages or Boaphile cages. I think they are the 18" tall ones she uses and mounts a light fixture inside the cage for heat and light. I dont see why those cages wouldn't work. I think they would be great for a bluey.

I have one glasscage cage. I have the 65gal sliding front granite acrylic cage. I love it, but they are too expensive seeing how they dont come with a top.

With my tax check, I was going to buy some really nice cages for all my blueys, such as showcase cages, AP, or Boaphile but decided to just go with 30gal breeders with the sliding screen top. I will be honest and say that they are not my favorite cages and I hate the sliding screen tops, however, for less than $100 for each one, it was the most cost efficient way.

If you like the AP cages, I say go for it. Just add some vents to it. I think it always looks nicer to have all matching cages and be able to stack them on top of each other.

Building is fairly cheap. I built one tank already, less than $100 total, and now I'm building 10 tanks soon.

Solid cages work fine. So long as there is adequate ventilation, and the temps can be maintained, it's fine. Contact AP, and tell them what you need, and ask if it's possible and for a price quote. It would probably be about $250 before shipping.

I would ask if they can install a regular bulb fixture for the top of the tank. Ask for something rated up to 100w if possible, just so you have room to play. You may need to get a higher tank to make space for the bulb safely. You could us a Mercury Vapor Bulb in this, as it provides heat, light and UVA/UVB I believe.

Another place that's pretty much like AP is Boaphile Plastics. http://www.boaphileplastics.com/ This is where I was thinking of getting my tanks from before I decided to build.

If you decide to build, there are several older threads of how to and suggestions on the site. There is also an enclosure part of the photo album. When I begin building my tanks in the next week or 2, I'll post a step-by-step thread, as well as suggestions and things I've done wrong. Talk to Zach, as he built his own tanks, and ask him for plans, suggestions and things he would not do if he did it again.

Good luck. You have a few months before baby season where you can get everything bought or built, and ready for the new skinker.

Thanks everyone

Ah, that sounds great about the AP/Boaphile cages. One of the problems I saw with it was the light fixure problem.... Would it be safe for it to be mounted inside?
And yep, the ability to stack them is really great.

Good idea, Fatal, I'll ask them about what would be reccomended.

EDIT: I was looking at AP with a Skink in mind and saw they offered a "White Fluorescent Fixture" Would that be a go? Or not the correct type of lighting?

yes and no. For general lighting and UVB, yes. For heat no.

What kind of heat source are you planning to use? if heat mat/UTH, etc, then you could probably go with the 12" tall cages. If you want a basking light, such as an incandescent, then you will probably want to go with the 18" tall and get a ceramic light socket installed. They might not do it, but you can always install it yourself if you have some electrical knowledge.

Also, look for used aquariums in the area. I've picked up a couple good deals by just keeping an eye on Kijiji and other classified sites. Some people sell fish aquariums really cheap because they cannot hold water, and if the dimensions are large enough then they are great for skinks!

Well, a UTH would be very nice, but I haven't heard of anyone using them...just the lights, so I didn't know they would work for a BTS.
So, the fluorescent fixure and an UTH would do the job?

Nope, no knowledge with stuff like that. I have a family member who's an electrician...too bad he'll be 1200 miles away, haha.

Personally, and this varies a lot with people, I do not like UTHs. Animals naturally use an overhead, direct sun, and usually do so on a heat-absorbing surface (basking rock). UTHs provide uniform belly heat to a large area, which while it provides a good gradient, provides no basking area. UTHs have also been known to cause burns if the animal can get direct access, though I'm not sure how common this is.

Personally, I would contact whoever, and see about getting a light socket installed. I know boaphile can do this, and AP did mention over-head heat at one point. Send them an e-mail and ask.

I also believe that you can buy ready-to-install light fixtures at hardware stores. For these you simply drill the hole, screw in the fixture, and plug in. Still, getting the seller to do it can look better.

Again, the use of UTHs has a wide range of opinions.

Fatal_S wrote:Animals naturally use an overhead, direct sun, and usually do so on a heat-absorbing surface (basking rock).

What about the animals that go out in night. They use the roads and rocks that are still warm from being under the sun all day long.
I feel that UTH serve the same purpose as a heat lamp and basking rock. UTH are just much more efficient and dont put as much heat out into the room. Also, the risk of fire is much less with UTH. I hate leaving the house with 8 heat lamps on.

I dont have to work today, so I will be switching the majority of my cages over to UTH and getting rid of the annoying heat lamps. We will see how it goes.

I actually use an UTH (for my Boa) and when used properly, especially when you enough substrate, it's fine. As for skinks (since they burrow) probably a layer of newspaper in the very bottom of the tank, then a burrow-able substrate sounds like it would work fine. Or, of course, you could just use a thermostat/rheostat.

Ek, so many different opinions. I'm glad I posted here before buying

I use UTH's for my nocturnal herps like my Leo and my African Fat tail. There is substrate on top so they can't get burned.

I use a basking light and a nice big basking brick from Home Depot for my one and only diurnal buddy, the wonderful Bluey, Chuffalumps.
He loves it!

In regards to UTH's, you can use them as a supplementary heat source not just a primary one by using a small one in a specific spot.

All mine have a small UTH under their hide, which I have on 24/7 for most of the year (excluding summer and if they brumate in winter).

It's added piece of mind, especially since mine generally get fed later in the day or sometimes at night, and they all must like it because they all sleep in or near their hide at night.

(note though that I have high, open, glass tanks, and the UTH sits on the stand but outside the glass)

These pics show where the UTH sits, and after with the tank decked out:
Jubby's



Ralphie's

Thanks again, everyone.

I just found an interesting article about lights.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Last update was in Nov '07. Kind of scary....

I checked to see if it had been posted on here, but I don't think it has been.

Ah, we have had a case of that. Tattoo maybe? High output (10.0) UVB lights can cause it. I think it was reversed simply by removing that light. Many people do use without problem, but make sure it's the right distance away.

You know what's better than UVB lights? Sunlight ^.^ If you can give sunlight often for most of the year, UVB isn't such a concern. Feel free to use the lower output in the case, or even none if you so wish.

I think they've corrected that problem. It was Hijinks' Poonami-Prince-Ping who had the eye experience with all of that. I think you're right though, Tattoo may have also had some issues as well.

Anyway, the more natural sunlight you can get your skink exposed to, the better off it'll be.

echoxxash wrote:Thanks again, everyone.

I just found an interesting article about lights.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Last update was in Nov '07. Kind of scary....

I checked to see if it had been posted on here, but I don't think it has been.

I dunno about that article in paticular but I know one bluey on here had that problem and it was thoroughly disscussed.

But that is the UV bulb not the heat bulb. The UV when using too strong of a tube and/or too close it can cause a "sunburn" on the eyes.

Most people on here use both a flourecent UV bulb and an incandecent Heat bulb which more closely simulates the diurnal basking situation rather than the UTH which are mostly for nocturnal animals. Blueys of course being diurnal.

Some people don't believe that the UV bulb is needed but most of us are not willing to risk MBD to find out for sure.

All righty, thanks for the info.

It was caused by the compact florry UVB lamps not the tubes,its to do with a burning in process,it can output dangerous amounts of UV until its over the new period.