Newbie Inspiration and hope... Yes you can do this!

[JoshD49]

Tbh, I wish zilla made larger versions of vertical glass. The baby rack I've been collecting cages for is being done with the zilla "starter kit" 12x12x18 cage. Sadly the only way to get that particular version of the cage is in the kit which leaves stuff I don't need being wasted but it has the deepest base of any brand that size. I also like the lower air flow on them better then the exo/ zoo med versions.

I have been looking into glass setups for the babies as well and I would love to see how you are doing it. I was looking into the zoo med Paludarium Kit becasue of the bottom section depth is designed for water. I think they make it in a non kit version because I do not need the other stuff. I am also afraid my daughter will steal it after the clutch to turn into a water dragon cage. haha

 

[dshuld]

Keep an eye on dragonstrand cages. They are in the process of making a vivaruim dragonstrand. It’s 24x24x48 not the dimensions you are looking for but he may come out with other sizes in the future.

Those new cages are interesting for those not running bioactive. But, I'm moving everyone to bio slowly and I've grown accustomed to modifying cheaper cages that I already have to get what I want which is essentially the same as the new series of cages.

 

[Beman]

I loved this! I'm still on the lurky side to a degree. I have a lot of knowledge and background with reptiles. Buts even as a zoology student, the knowledge of a keeper is beyond compare. I've been and fealt every single instance in here for the last 3 months with Koba. I pre built a 18x18x36 bio active vivarium that I spent well over... a lot of money on it, and came here on day 1 of having Koba, too find out I did it all wrong. I did months of research and still wasnt prepared. 2 days on this forum and I found out that all my lights were wrong, my heating was wrong, I was over misting...my cage was too small... All this money was WASTED. Over the last few months I've fixed and perfected everything, except the cage size(and apparently my fake vines >.>). I finally, FINALLY!! caved and I just purchased the large clearside atrium enclosure from dragon strand litterally as was typing this out. Regardless I appreciate this post! I'm addicted to this forum now, it's kind of a problem.

This is exactly why I created this thread... I wanted to show everyone that we all start out somewhere... Congrats on the new DS purchase! We are happy to have you here!

Oh and sorry about bursting your fake vines bubble... I had over $150 in exo terra jungle vines... Those are worse then the other types from what I found out since the coating is gritty and can flake off if rubbed.

 

[dshuld]

I have been looking into glass setups for the babies as well and I would love to see how you are doing it. I was looking into the zoo med Paludarium Kit becasue of the bottom section depth is designed for water. I think they make it in a non kit version because I do not need the other stuff. I am also afraid my daughter will steal it after the clutch to turn into a water dragon cage. haha

This is the kit I'm talking about. I have a deal in place with my local shop to get them a tad cheaper then retail price though.

https://www.zillarules.com/all-products/terrariums/tropical-vertical-kit

The zoo med paludariums are nice but, exo has the paludarium depth on new cages in the larger sizes now too without the price mark up for it. For the hatchling size cages though, that zilla kit is ~2" deeper then the other brands.

 

[Beman]

Believe it or not I was a lot like you at one point, giving detailed responses to almost every newbie that posts. I used to get question after question. This is a great thing, but at some point itll burn you out. I've seen it with quite a few on these forums(I joined here in 2008, but only really started posts a few years ago).

The cycle for a lot of people tends to be: start as lurkers, politely and nervously asking questions, then help out with minor things in other posts that they learned here, onto more detailed responses as they gain experiences, you'll see some of us get a little too cocky/aggressive about it at times, which I think is just a side effect of being excited to know all this new information, eventually from there people will often take a break and be missing from the forum some, and finally post much less often, usually only on selective things that might catch their interest or help when they feel up to it.

Yeah I can believe it... You have been mentoring quite a few people I know in the bio active area.. All on the down low of course lol.
I have my moments where I just have to take a break or I focus on my new baby boy that is coming instead of the forum... I think that as with anything you can burn out here as well. There have been a few threads that emotionally fried me.
I think while I am still Newbie education focused I am learning not to put so much of myself into needing them to be successful. Now I just provide feedback and take a step back.

 

[JoshD49]

This is the kit I'm talking about. I have a deal in place with my local shop to get them a tad cheaper then retail price though.

https://www.zillarules.com/all-products/terrariums/tropical-vertical-kit

The zoo med paludariums are nice but, exo has the paludarium depth on new cages in the larger sizes now too without the price mark up for it. For the hatchling size cages though, that zilla kit is ~2" deeper then the other brands.

Ok so This is great information. I have been trying to figure out the path I want to go with the baby cage and I think I found a mentor. haha. I have talked a lot about it with Matt too but I love to see other perspectives. Ill PM you though so we don't hijack the thread.

If you would be so kind can you please share your full setup with me so I can totally knock it off. haha

 

[JoXie411]

Believe it or not I was a lot like you at one point, giving detailed responses to almost every newbie that posts. I used to get question after question. This is a great thing, but at some point itll burn you out. I've seen it with quite a few on these forums(I joined here in 2008, but only really started posts a few years ago).

The cycle for a lot of people tends to be: start as lurkers, politely and nervously asking questions, then help out with minor things in other posts that they learned here, onto more detailed responses as they gain experiences, you'll see some of us get a little too cocky/aggressive about it at times, which I think is just a side effect of being excited to know all this new information, eventually from there people will often take a break and be missing from the forum some, and finally post much less often, usually only on selective things that might catch their interest or help when they feel up to it.

You cocky/aggressive I don’t believe it lol

Thank you for taking the time in teaching me about bioactive and bugs. I know how much you love me bugging you about a new bug I discovered. Thanks grandma

 

[JoXie411]

Yeah I can believe it... You have been mentoring quite a few people I know in the bio active area.. All on the down low of course lol.
I have my moments where I just have to take a break or I focus on my new baby boy that is coming instead of the forum... I think that as with anything you can burn out here as well. There have been a few threads that emotionally fried me.
I think while I am still Newbie education focused I am learning not to put so much of myself into needing them to be successful. Now I just provide feedback and take a step back.

I feel you on the emotional fried part witch is why I try and stay out of the help threads now. That last troll really cut into my soul deeply. I’m just forced on my bio builds now

 

[JoshD49]

I feel you on the emotional fried part witch is why I try and stay out of the help threads now. That last troll really cut into my soul deeply. I’m just forced on my bio builds now

I have been there. That's why I disappear for a little while and come back here off and on. Not so much because of the people or trolls but I think it is important to take breaks from a hobby as it will become too much and then you can burn out.

 

[dshuld]

Ok so This is great information. I have been trying to figure out the path I want to go with the baby cage and I think I found a mentor. haha. I have talked a lot about it with Matt too but I love to see other perspectives. Ill PM you though so we don't hijack the thread.

If you would be so kind can you please share your full setup with me so I can totally knock it off. haha

Lol I can share my plans (Matt approved) with you yes lol. I haven't started putting it together yet though, atm I'm still rocking my Frank Payne style bio tubs for babies lol.

Edit: though I do like clogging @Beman s thread with some what off topic stuff, I'll send you a pm in a bit with a rough sketch of what I plan on doing.

 

[JoXie411]

I have been there. That's why I disappear for a little while and come back here off and on. Not so much because of the people or trolls but I think it is important to take breaks from a hobby as it will become too much and then you can burn out.

Witch is why you have back up hobbies. Lucky I get bored easy and have lots of those.

 

[dshuld]

Witch is why you have back up hobbies. Lucky I get bored easy and have lots of those.

, me too, several stem from cham keeping though . Roach breeding, isopod breeding, cage building/ redesigning, stand designing/ building, long walks through park trails looking for sticks/ isopods..... Damn my life is baf looking from the outside .

 

[KRGEE21]

, me too, several stem from cham keeping though . Roach breeding, isopod breeding, cage building/ redesigning, stand designing/ building, long walks through park trails looking for sticks/ isopods..... Damn my life is baf looking from the outside .

I like to think of it as a creative outlet from my stressful entirely analytical day job.

 

[JoXie411]

, me too, several stem from cham keeping though . Roach breeding, isopod breeding, cage building/ redesigning, stand designing/ building, long walks through park trails looking for sticks/ isopods..... Damn my life is baf looking from the outside .

It’s almost like this hobby was made for us lol. I’m constantly out foraging for plants I can try and grow at home. Take a few trimming here and there off plants I like. I don’t have a problem I swear lol I was looking at fish yesterday. I’m not ready to set something like that up yet

 

[dshuld]

I like to think of it as a creative outlet from my stressful entirely analytical day job.

That is a great way to put it .

 

[dshuld]

It’s almost like this hobby was made for use lol. I’m constantly out foraging for plants I can try and grow at home. Take a few trimming here and there off plants I like. I don’t have a problem I swear lol I was looking at fish yesterday. I’m not ready to set something like that up yet

Haha freshwater tanks I could talk about til I'm blue in the face. Saltwater, you might as well be speaking a foreign language to me lol. Though I understand the lighting side and basics involved with salt, I've never really looked into maintaining salinity or anything like that with them.

 

[JoXie411]

Haha freshwater tanks I could talk about til I'm blue in the face. Saltwater, you might as well be speaking a foreign language to me lol. Though I understand the lighting side and basics involved with salt, I've never really looked into maintaining salinity or anything like that with them.

Well when I’m ready for a fish I will hit you up. I would love my fish to have a bioactive tank

 

[JoshD49]

Haha freshwater tanks I could talk about til I'm blue in the face. Saltwater, you might as well be speaking a foreign language to me lol. Though I understand the lighting side and basics involved with salt, I've never really looked into maintaining salinity or anything like that with them.

I love my salt water reef tank. Its like running a bio setup that manages itself. I think we spoke about it before but I couldn't avoid the saltwater since the colors of the coral and fish were what I needed in my life. I started with fresh but once I went salt I couldn't go back.

 

[KRGEE21]

I love my salt water reef tank. Its like running a bio setup that manages itself. I think we spoke about it before but I couldn't avoid the saltwater since the colors of the coral and fish were what I needed in my life. I started with fresh but once I went salt I couldn't go back.

Beautiful set up.

 

[Daesie11]

I love my salt water reef tank. Its like running a bio setup that manages itself. I think we spoke about it before but I couldn't avoid the saltwater since the colors of the coral and fish were what I needed in my life. I started with fresh but once I went salt I couldn't go back.

I love love love saltwater aquariums. I'm hoping once I'm in a permanent home and I have the space and money that I'll be able to set one up. My dad had a 300gal saltwater tank plus several other smaller tanks, so I grew up around them. Absolutely love the colors and variety of coral available for a saltwater tank!
For now I have a 10gal beta tank to appease my need for a tank, but it's honestly such garbage i want to scrap it and start over lol