Post subject: I could use some suggestions on keeping my moist hide moist. Posted: Mar 27, 2008 - 06:49 PM
Ok, I have moist hides for my geckos. Just some tupperware--not clear ones mind you, with holes cut in them and sprayed paper towel inside.
Now, I have an undisciplined tendency to forget to spray them every day. I remember to give the gex water to drink everyday, but the spraying bit I seem to forget and the towels dry out pretty much after a day or so.
Does anyone have suggestions that will help keep the moist hide moist for longer periods? I was thinking about getting Zoo Med's Big Dripper, and putting the tube into the top of the moist hide and sealing it off with something, but that might not be moist enough.
And the tupperware is kind of ugly, especially when everything else in their cages is so nice--I have slate tile and some attractive hides. I'll be starting up a new job soon and I was thinking about maybe investing in some commercial moist hides. Any recommendations?
Any ideas (other than spraying it everyday)?
_________________ 4 Leos, 1 Male Betta, 1 Chilean Rose (AFT pending!)
Post subject: RE: I could use some suggestions on keeping my moist hide mo Posted: Mar 27, 2008 - 07:39 PM
How old are your leos?
Any loose substrate can be an impaction risk, but some things (like putting a baby on calcium sand) are much more risky than others. In my adult female's humid hide, I have peat moss, sifted through screen wire, and then dampened. It stays humid MUCH longer than my little male's paper towel humid hide.
Some people put moss in the bottom of the humid hide, and then cover it with a paper towel to keep the gecko from licking and eating it. Boo has eaten a little of her peat moss, but it is finely sifted, and she seems to pass it okay. I started using it with her about a year ago when she started ovulating, and I thought she might be going to lay some eggs.
When I do tank cleanings, I sterilize the peat moss by putting it in the microwave for several minutes.
You can probably decorate your current humid hide to make it look very nice and fit in with your tank decorations. I read about one idea for the humid hide that I'd like to try some day. To do it, you will need some matte finish Modge Podge craft glue and sand. It is non toxic, and I think it is washable after it dries. Spread a layer of this glue over the hide, and then sprinkle a layer of sand onto the glue. When the glue has dried, repeat until the sand layer is as thick as you like it. End with a layer of glue to seal everything in. The picture of one that I saw looked like a sandy rock with a hole in it's side.
Other people have covered them with designed contact paper, or hot glued fake plants on the hide, or painted them. My decorated humid hide is painted to look like a little house.
_________________ Whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy:
Think on these things!
Post subject: RE: I could use some suggestions on keeping my moist hide mo Posted: Mar 28, 2008 - 10:40 AM
I use sphagnum moss wrapped in paper towels. The moss comes in a dehydrated block so it takes very little storage space and once soaked it holds the moisture for at least four days without re-moistening. The paper towel is to prevent any accidental ingestion. It probably isn't necessary but I'm a bit overprotective!
Post subject: RE: I could use some suggestions on keeping my moist hide mo Posted: Mar 28, 2008 - 09:58 PM
I use paper towels in a zoo-med 3-in-1 repti-shelter. We live in a VERY dry environment so the paper towels dry out a lot faster. That being said, I still only re-wet the paper towels once a week or so. As an adult she seems to do just fine with that.
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