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Reptilegirl07   Tbone21  
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 #1973260


Reptilegirl07
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 Caiman enclosures

Well, I have done research and have wanted one of these little guys for a while now and I am looking to make the jump.

I want the enclosure to be perfect.

I will start out with a 55 gallon with a land side and water side. The heat gradient will be computer controlled (automated) with the rest of the reptile enclosures and will have an alarm sound if something goes out of the norm. We are also looking to program it to send an email/txt message to our phones if anything is wrong.

I was going to look into taking 2 55 gallon long aquariums and sealing them together so it’s 110 gallons but it’s wider and long for the little guy. I did this for my baby tegu.

I am getting into breeding feeders for my snakes (I like to know what my reptiles are getting and make sure the feeders are healthy) and will have a large chest freezer of feeders so food wont be an issue.

As it gets larger it will obviously get a custom enclosure.

I have a few questions on decorating. What sort of substrate should I use for the land side and what plants should I grow? What are other things I can put in there to make it look more natural?

Also, what is a GREAT filter to purchase for such a large setup (55 and 110). I have been doubling up large filters for my turtle enclosures so it stays extra clean but there has to be a really good working filter that’s worth investing in for such a large setup. Any recommendations?

Anyone have photos of their custom enclosures?

I’m pretty excited about this. I have tons of snakes, 4 rescued turtles, and 2 Argentine black and white tegus (one is a rescue and hates me but it’s ok heh).

Want the setup to be perfect.

Also looking to take one in that maybe is no longer wanted from someone in the texas area as I will be driving across the country at the end of May and will be driving through there.

would like it to be cute and cuddly LOL! :-)

Thanks!



03/23/09  11:35am

 #1974393


Tbone21
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   Message To: Reptilegirl07   In reference to Message Id: 1973260


 Caiman enclosures

First off make sure you are def ready for one they are alot of work and definately not cute and cudly. Second what kind of caiman are you looking for, I am guessing a dwarf and they really got an attitude most caiman due. Now for the tank. the 55 gallon will be good to hold a baby in while your building a bigger cage as for connecting two which way do you mean long wise or width wise because long wise will be too skinny and he will be stressed because he will have trouble turning. Also trying to seel two tanks together may not work that well because as they grow they are strong and may break the seal. Your best bet is to either start with something like a water land tub or I built and enclosure around a platform with a pond sunk into it. They grow fast. I have a spectacled. What I did for the filter is got a canister filter and drilled holes at either end of the pond to put bulk heads in like in a hot tub and connected the hoses so it keeps water moving and cleans nicely. But a 55 gallon will not last long. Sorry for rambelling just make sure you are prepared and have the room as they get bigger because if properly taken care of they grow fast. No expert but thats my opinion.

Tom
03/25/09  12:08pm


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