DIY: Useful Gecko Things You Can Make

Many useful items to the gecko habitat can not only be easily built by you and me, but it can be a fun money-saving experience.

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Project #1 : Gecko Hide

This is a good looking wooden hide for your boy or girl:

These are made from wooden bowls (which I bought from Walmart) turned upside down and holes drilled. [estimated cost $2.50 – $7.50 ]

I use a 1 1/2 ” hole saw for entry holes. If desired a 2″  hole for a feeder dish can be  added on top. 

The feeder dish is also from Walmart, in the condiment section: $.25 to .49 each.

Tools needed include a hand drill and a hole saw [sizes vary]

Don’t have them, afraid of power tools… ask your neighbor or guy at Menards or Lowes to drill it for you.

Project #2: Tunnel Hide

The tunnel hide or shedder assistant can not only supply hide comfort, but offers an effective surface inside and out for Mr. or Ms. Gecko to rub on when in shed.

Get some PVC plastic pipe obtained at any Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, Lumber or Plumbing Stores. They will cut it in half and to the length of  your choosing, not a problem.

Prices vary per size, but sometime free scrap is available, just ask.

You can paint if you wish. Use primer, top coat, sealer and a color of your choice. You can ask the paint department  for materials to use that will work with PVC. Another idea, as shown in the photo…..material glued to exterior of tunnel may be attractive. Spray adhesive can also be used, with your choice of cloth material from a fabric store. Once again scrap material may be available.

Project #3 : Hi-ways,sky-ways,geck-ways, you name it.

Here is a useful but no-effort item. Purchase these at the Lowes, Menards, Walmart,etc. 

They can be found in the tile section and come in many designs to choose from. These are counter-top or wall tile strips. They’re held together by a nylon or other material fabrication.

For the best deals, I look for stock that has been discontinued and I get the remaining sample pieces for a low price or for free. These tile strips flex, bend, etc. so they are ready to work for you as you wish.

Project #4: Outhouse

Take salsa bowl (as pictured, which can be purchased from Walmart or any other similar store) turn upside down and drill a 2″ hole for entry. Put 4×4 tile on the floor of the tank. Set the salsa bowl now as a hide (or outhouse) on top of tile. The gecko will enter and poop.
I find many prefer doing the  job inside this way. Poop done in this way is hidden so the tank always looks cleaned out.

Project #5: “Rocks of Ages”

Here is a real easy one and sometimes “no cost.” Do you know where there is a landscaping company? Or maybe a lawn and garden shop? A little stream? Be careful on this one…A neighbor’s yard?

Landscaping your habitat is easy and plenty of fun for everyone, including the gecko. Just pick up rocks and stack them. (Be sure the rocks are safely stacked so they won’t fall over and harm the gecko.) Some really nice stuff may cost a couple of bucks.

The photos below will give you some ideas as to what I’ve picked up, including  items from the neighbor’s yard.

Project #6: Stone Hide

This project  may require some help from someone with a high pressure washer (otherwise known as a power washer that uses a high pressure jet of water to strip or clean a surface).

Nicely shaped fieldstone can usually obtained from a landscaper or the landscaper’s supplier, a sand and gravel business.

They normally have plenty of great shapes to choose from.

Use a power washer to hollow out the underside and you can make the most interesting natural looking hides and decorations for your geckos.
 
This is an easy project  if you have access to the machine which may be  for rent at places. 
The photos show both sides of each hide.

Project #7: Gecko dining room

This is kind of a fun project.  I call it the “gecko’s dining room.” I’m going to describe the easy way to construct it as I did:

Find a Hobby Lobby or similar type crafting store. In the wooden project area where they keep wooden type boxes you should be able to find  an item like the one pictured below,  complete with glass sides and a hinged top (approximately 7 1/2″ x 6″ x 5″ ).

I took the box apart and replaced the glass sides with the same sized piece of plexiglass. The plexiglass was drilled with a 2″ hole saw. The hole is drilled high enough to keep bugs in but low enough for the gecko to peek or crawl into the box.

It’s possible to cut the original glass with a glass-cutter, but I preferred to go the plexiglass route.

Below is  a video of one of my geckos dining in. It makes a fun watch. It was his first time to use it, so his careful, curiosity, approach was a part of the enjoyment of his meal of “Crickets Under Glass.”

Project #8: Cage Upholstery

Want to put a little color in your habitat?  Want to help your critter keep from “hanging up” in the floor covering carpet? Notice I said “help”, not “stop”.

There are fewer loops in cloth upholstering material and more colors to choose from. My friend retiring from the auto upholstering business caused me to look into this. That’s right, he gave me lots of his fabric. I find it not only makes habitats more attractive but geckos have less hang-up time with their claws or teeth, as compared to repti-carpet.

You will need:

• Sissors
• Yardstick/measure
• Selection of to-be floor coverings from a fabric shop (be sure to get heavier material that doesn’t slip and slide)

Measure your project item, mark cloth, and cut. Here are a couple of mine that I like:

Project #9: “You are in Deep Water”

Water dishes make me think of two things:  hydration and safety for the drinker.  I try to keep a endless supply of water so I tend to use fairly large bowls. I put pebbles in them to keep mainly  the youngsters from getting stuck head first. The pebbles will save the life of many a prey food as well. Since I am using larger bowls, I make a built-up ledge from slate, flat stone, or tile.  This allows the gecko to crawl up and rest at the water level.