tokay gecko housing?

Question

We currently house our tokay in a 20 long and want to upgrade. Which would be better a 47 tall or a 55 long?

Also, would a screen or glass top be best. A pet store owner said screen but my hubby thinks glass for humidity and says if we have a bubbler stone, it shoudl maintain the airflow that glass would keep out?

Answer 1

Either would be okay, but I'd personally go with the 47 tall for a two reasons: the smaller top opening would make it easier to maintain the humidity that tokay need (70-90%) and the vertical length would give him/her more climbing room. If you decided to go with the 55 gallon, I'd cover at least part of the top with glass/plastic to help hold the humidity in. The only other consideration would be price. I'd imagine that the 55 gallon might be the cheaper tank.

You will still be able to set up a heat gradient with either, although one would be a more vertical gradient and one a more hororizontal.

ADDITION: I saw no one else responded to your added question. I'd cover the entire top with screen and use sections of glass or plexiglass on top of the screen to cover 1/2 - 2/3 of the top. The glass will provide better moisture retention. The open part will keep excess heat from building up and still allow some circulation (you don't want things to get moldy in there). You can place a heat/light source above the screen side if necessary without worrying about heat building up directly below the lamp. Keep the set-up flexible and monitor conditions in the tank well till you see how much heat and humidity is retained. Slide the glass/plastic back and forth, till you get an idea how much of the top you need to cover to get the conditions you need inside. I don't know that the airstone would provide that much air flow (I guess it depends on the size air pump you use), but I'd place it close to the bottom on the side farthest from the screen to get the most circulation if you decide to use it.