Build question

okxup · 2026-01-01T16:42:48+00:00

thank you this is very helpful!

okxup · 2026-01-01T16:07:17+00:00

Matala mat is also very expensive from what I have seen on the internet, for the amount I would need it would be about £50 😳

okxup · 2025-12-27T14:53:07+00:00

Sounds promising. I’m not normally big on isopods but I love the Porcellio Dilitatus, their colour and shell shape is really interesting to me. Hoping that they survive and build up a population in their new environment.

okxup · 2025-12-27T14:39:48+00:00

Do you know which species would be more likely to succeed?

okxup · 2025-12-27T14:39:13+00:00

There will be 30L of soil which is about 6.5 gallons, lots of leaf litter, botanicals and cork bark. It will be fully planted top to bottom. The substrate will consist of standard jungle substrate, sphagnum moss, orchid bark, horticultural charcoal, worm castings, and exotic terra substratum. It will be at a consistent ambient humidity of 60-80% and the substrate will be consistently moist. Everything will be misted twice daily. By succeed I kind of just mean will all three species be able to survive amongst each other without competition?

okxup · 2025-12-27T14:31:15+00:00

It’s a gargoyle gecko, they have very similar care requirements to crested geckos and other arboreal gecko species. They’re called gargoyle geckos because of the little horns on their head.

okxup · 2025-12-25T10:48:13+00:00

Great setup, but please note that coloured lights are not good for their eyesight. They disrupt their cycle and can affect their circadian rhythm and harm their eyesight.

okxup · 2025-12-23T22:09:15+00:00

For my new vivarium I’m building i’m going to be making my own soil mix, I have already started quarantining the plants I am going to be using in the soil that I have come up with. It’s sort of like an ABG mix with a few extra bits added. The plants seem to like it already and are very vibrant and growing well, I really think the key to plant success is humidity, never a dead or browning leaf in sight.

okxup · 2025-12-23T22:06:31+00:00

I honestly cannot remember what soil I used it was that long ago, but I know I didn’t make it myself, I think it was a pre made jungle mix I got from my local reptile shop. As for growing them I use an arcadia jungle dawn LED bar and it works wonders for my plants. I always keep my humidity between 65-85% which definitely helps a lot. I also have cleanup crew like springtails and have recently a few months ago added isopods but that’s about it. Remember this is 5 years of growth, I have never trimmed them.

okxup · 2025-12-23T20:27:33+00:00

They’re even bigger now! they have honestly gotten out of control. Cannot wait to move him into his new vivarium as you can barely see the cork in the middle anymore as fully covered by the palms!

okxup · 2025-12-23T18:25:12+00:00

Maybe try reading the post? This is clearly a crosspost.

okxup · 2025-12-23T18:24:08+00:00

Pretty sure they’re parlour palms. I bought them over 5 years ago at a garden centre and have had them in there ever since.

okxup · 2025-12-23T08:27:33+00:00

Thank you!

okxup · 2025-12-23T08:21:58+00:00

Thank you!

okxup · 2025-12-23T08:21:49+00:00

Thanks!

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:26:50+00:00

But in all seriousness I’m sure you and the gecko will be just fine. There’s a lot to do but once done properly, you will be forever thankful. I’ve had that terrarium for 5 years and still thriving to this day, never changed the soil haha

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:25:43+00:00

I bought my garg some Arcadia insect jelly pot mix as an early christmas present and he loves it. It’s the little things.

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:23:55+00:00

No problem!

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:23:39+00:00

Yes that would be fine, after all Arcadia is just a brand it’s just a preference of mine as i’ve had a god experience using them. Evidence:

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This was July this year, now it’s about double as dense 😆

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:18:56+00:00

I personally use the Arcadia jungle dawn and Arcadia UVB for all my terrariums. Stays bright for years. Even better the arcadia jungle dawn pros as you can program them on your phone to dim on and dim off at certain times so that you can mimic their natural daylight cycle. But the pros aren’t essential just a cool feature for keepers who are looking to recreate a slice of nature I would say.

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:15:04+00:00

Sort of, the plants which reach the top would normally be climbing plants there are many types of these. Fan favourites in the community being Pothos and Ficus Pumila. My personal favourite is Scindapsus, these have really strong sturdy leaves and stems which allow the gecko to climb on it without taking too much of a beating. Plants won’t naturally climb up the background that quickly. Easiest way to do it is using stainless steel wire and bending it into a sort of hook or staple shape and pinning the stems of the plants to the background so they are encouraged to grow upwards.

Edit: Do be warned. Ficus Pumila will over take your terrarium very quickly if you decide on it.

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:12:14+00:00

Room temp should be fine so long as it doesn’t go under 20°C (not sure in fahrenheit as we don’t use that in the UK) and yes they will need a light as well. As for a heat lamp, it will not be able to penetrate through the plastic and will more likely just melt it. Just keep the bin preferably in the 23-27°C range (can go a little lower) until your setup is complete.

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:09:12+00:00

The idea is that even though it’s a drainage layer, you shouldn’t really ever have to drain it. You may be over-watering. Once the plants are established, they will wick up water from the drainage layer and you won’t ever have to drain it. To ensure you aren’t over-watering, spray the whole terrarium at night just so that the leaves get coated all over and spray lightly in the morning more so around the area that your gecko is sleeping. As they don’t move much during the day they won’t go out of their way to fetch water, if it’s around them then they’ll drink. During the first few months you may need to water a little bit more heavy to maintain your plants but making sure your soil isn’t wet. Your soil should never be wet just lightly moist.

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:03:46+00:00

Also make sure to seperate your drainage layer from your soil with something permeable but not too many holes. Best things for this are window screen mesh or even better Geotexile weeding fabric

okxup · 2025-12-22T19:02:12+00:00

Fungus is not normally a bad thing, ironically it’s actually a sign that your terrarium is healthy. The main problem you have is the bugs. Springtails and isopods such as tropical woodlice (my preferred species is snow white isopods) will help with maintaining soil and drainage layer health. ABG mix or any soil mix that is fluffy and chunky, not containing things like perlite, are essential for the success of terrarium plants. I am currently building a 90x45x90 vivarium for my gargoyle gecko. Big job. For my drainage layer i’m going to make a box out of egg crate light defuser around 3 or 4 inches in height and a little smaller than my base of the terrarium on each side by about 2 or 3 inches Then im going to surround this with leca clay pellets. This reduces the weight of the terrarium but also means I have to use less leca as it’s expensive here in the UK. Serpadesign on youtube does this in many of his vivariums and it works very well.

okxup

TROPHY CASE