My Desert Tank

[Loren]

Well, I have my desert tank fairly dialed in now, so here's a few pics.
The tank is 5 1/2 feet long, 2 feet tall, and 2 feet deep.
It contains 2 chuckwallas, 2 desert iguanas, a whiptail, and a zebra-tail.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/My_Desert_Tank.JPG

Lounging around.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/The_Crew.jpg

Chow time.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Lizards_eating.jpg

Desert Ig's posing.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Desert_iguanas.jpg

Chuckwalla posing.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Chuckwalla_posing.JPG








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[Snake lover 3-25]

wow very neat!!! i didn't know you could get so many diff. lizards to get along...:D

[Zephyr]

Very nice enclosure! It's a wonder how you keep it clean. XD

[adamanteus]

Loren, I love those Dipsosaurus. I had a pair years ago.... wish I still had them.
Nice viv by the way, I like the use of building materials. Will you provide a 'backdrop' to conceal the wires etc?

[Loren]

The species in the tank are all very communal- they get along fine. The larger 4 are primarily vegetarian, so they sont eat the little guys.

I've had them all living together for a few years now, but just recently upgraded them into this tank.

I use fine desert sand that sifts very nicely. The only hard part is that the chuckwallas snort salty excresions all over the glass, so I have to clean it every week or 2, and it likes to smear instead of wiping right off.

I would like a good background- I have one that I used to have on there somewhere, but its only 18" tall, and the tank is 24" tall. But its better than nothing, and it is a desert theme. I'll have to look for it and try it out again to see if I like it. Maybe a fake bush or catus, or a branch inside too.
The bricks work well- they dont move, and they provide a good surface for the heat to build up on for better basking. The big blocks even give extra little sitting spots.

[adamanteus]

I would like a good background- I have one that I used to have on there somewhere, but its only 18" tall, and the tank is 24" tall. But its better than nothing, and it is a desert theme. I'll have to look for it and try it out again to see if I like it.

I didn't mean to sound critical... it's a great looking viv. It's just that I have a hatred of visible wiring!:D

[Loren]

I understand James- didnt take it as negative.

I am slightly opposite, though. I dont really notice the wires.:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

Ditto... i sometimes just cover them w/ follisge, but have never used a background

[Zephyr]

I usually just push them to the side. XD

[adamanteus]

I never use glass vivs, so it's not really an issue. I hate visible wires anywhere... PC, TV, whatever.

[Snake lover 3-25]

your like my dad... he cuts holes in walls to hide them...

[Zephyr]

Acrylic scratches too easily IMO.
Although glass is kinda heavy. x.x

[adamanteus]

No Kyle, I don't use acrylic either. All my vivs are timber.

[anji1971]

That's a nice setup, Loren. I dream of having a tank that big one day.........
Love your little critter collection too!:)

[Zephyr]

Timber... Hmm... I'd like making tanks out of plexiglass. Lets the herps get to know you through smell. :P

[Stefan-A]

Acrylic scratches too easily IMO.
Although glass is kinda heavy. x.x
There is a type of polycarbonate that is intended to be an alternative to glass in places where glass would be too heavy to use. It's slightly heavier than acrylic if I remember correctly but lighter than glass. This quality is supposed to have a surface almost as hard as glass and shouldn't scratch easily.

But it's expensive. Glass is cheap.

[Loren]

I like my aquarium.

:D

[drache]

I like it too, Loren
and it looks like the critters are happy with it

[Sid]

Very nice Loren. I love the collection.

[Snaky]

Nice collection of desert species!:)