In General Reptiles I was talking about these great little petri dishes I use for the baby leos. Got the idea from Larry Petty over at SunshineStateExotics. I thought I would post it here though since its more leopard geckoish than general reptilesish.

Here is one of my baby tubs

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/Varanus99/001-3.jpg

The mini-Retes Stack (All Hail) has been removed to show the little guy. Thats a normal born in August. He's got kind of a cool pattern with a little smattering of tangerine on him. His mom is a tang. Anyway, in the foreground you can see the petri dishes. One for water and one for calcium.

Also visible is my Bush-League humidty hide made from a deli cup and a little chunk of cork bark which I always throw in there for them to scurry about on.

Here's another view

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/Varanus99/002-7.jpg

A cricket was nice enough to hop in the calcium. Good boy, coat yourself, save me the trouble.

And a closer view of those fab little dishes

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/Varanus99/003-4.jpg

They are a pleasure. Go git urself some. Ya hear?

I use little cermic bowls for my mealies but those look good to,where you get them?.

Smooth sided ceramic bowls might work better for mealies. I dont know I dont use worms. Eek. These might work though. Could give him a try.

Compliments of Mr. Petty:

http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3081529&cmss=30815%2D29&bhcd2=1227410807

Petri dishes - item #30815-29 <-------These are the ones you want.

I remember I used to try to cut dixie cups down to use for them...what a pain.

Good information right there big V!!! And of course to Larry for sharing his secrets :rockon:

I remember I used to try to cut dixie cups down to use for them...what a pain.

Good information right there big V!!! And of course to Larry for sharing his secrets :rockon:

Ive cut my share of paper cups. Cant take it any more. Ive also washed out jar lids from Gatorade and such. Cant handle it. I like having a big stack of clean, perfectly sized cups ready to go whenever I need them.

Plus it just makes everything look more uniform and professional. Its nice. Even though Im Bush-League I got nice dishes so nyah!

These look great! Thanks for posting this. I ordered some this morning!!!!!

These look great! Thanks for posting this. I ordered some this morning!!!!!

Cool. I think you'll like them.

And if you dont you can always just culture your very own bacteria!!!

Thanks for the visual, now I get it. BUT, what are mini-Retes Stack (All Hail) I know it has something to do with the wood....

Thanks for the visual, now I get it. BUT, what are mini-Retes Stack (All Hail) I know it has something to do with the wood....

Hehehe. Yeah that was a bit of an esoteric reference. Allow me to explain in my usual loquacious manner.

A Retes Stack is a multi level basking platform. Built with 1x2s or similar material and thin plywood. Like so:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/Varanus99/007-2.jpg

My mini Retes Stacks are just smaller versions I use for the baby leos. Even though they dont use them to bask it still gives them some nice, tight hides and some stuff to climb on. And if you have a group you increase your surface area with a stratified shelter. More hides, more places for them to get away from each other if they so choose.

In that pic the stack is tiny. As they get older they get bigger stacks with more levels. I can only fit 3 levels in a tub but that works just dandy.

The "All Hail" is my tribute to Frank Retes, the inventor of the stacks. The Retes Stack in my most humble opinion is one of the greatest boons to monitor keeping period. And they also work for other types of lizards as well.

Thanks for the explination. Are the reinforced in any way, like the boards attached together?

Good question

I like to attache the boards since I dont want any boards falling on the lizards. Not that I think thin plywood would do any real damage but ya never know.

Some folks dont attache the boards since its easier to get at the lizards that way. You can just lift the level off one at a time until you reach Mr. Lizard.

Still others only use a 1x2 on one side thus making a slanted hide and flip flop it back and forth. Also not attached.

And others just scatter the boards in a pile under the heat lamp.

I use one small screw on each side to secure the boards. Then a longer screw goes right through the board and grabs the 1x2 under it. If I really feel the need to get an animal in the middle of a stack I just unscrew it with my trusty DeWalt 18 volt screwgun. Love that puppy.

Its really up to you. I use the very standard, generic version. It works. And in my book if it aint broke dont fix it.

Thanks.

Hey V...Kind of off the subject but are those those bulbs that Robin is selling at P.E.???
I have been using mega ray bulbs but it sucks that they need there own balast etc.

Hey V...Kind of off the subject but are those those bulbs that Robin is selling at P.E.???
I have been using mega ray bulbs but it sucks that they need there own balast etc.


Those are just regular ol' GE flood lights. 50 watts to be exact. They keep the basking spot at around 150 degrees.

Nice looking baby setup there V. I must admit I've been keeping my leo hatchlings all wrong.. I'm getting ready to go buy some of those 8oz deli cups and lids for my moist hides. I also went ahead and ordered some of that calcium powder..

I of the mindset that is ok to screw up as long as you learn from your screw ups and I have..

Nice looking baby setup there V. I must admit I've been keeping my leo hatchlings all wrong.. I'm getting ready to go buy some of those 8oz deli cups and lids for my moist hides. I also went ahead and ordered some of that calcium powder..

I of the mindset that is ok to screw up as long as you learn from your screw ups and I have..


Ive screwed up plenty, Boss. Nothing to be ashamed of. Just need a few tweaks and you'll be all set with the leos. They are sturdy little fellas anyway.

Here is another trick.

Go buy some glad stackable plastic sandwich containers. I cut the stackable circle out for an entrance whole. Fill the container with moist peat moss. It makes a great moist hide/egg laying container.

Don't throw away the circle you cut out. Use it for hatchling calcium containers.

Yup, the glads work too. I just really like the Rubbermaids as they are strong and close easily. But those glads work.

But hey Larry dont give away the saving the circle thing! You're gonna ruin my petri dish thread! :lol:

The petri dishes are great. They hold up way better and are stronger than the lids. We have a few hundred of them. This way I always have them clean and can soak the dirty ones in bleach water.

Have you tried the ramekins (http://www.instawares.com/bone-white-malamine-ramekin.get-s620white.0.7.htm) for sub-adults and larger? Check out the link.

I looked at those. They look a bit high, no?

Not for a 15g and up leo. They are perfect.

Ramekins are high. My neo hoggies have trouble finding the water when I use them.

Thanks for posting the pics!

Not for a 15g and up leo. They are perfect.

Ill have to give them a go. My old mayo and peanut butter jar lids are Bush. Bush-League, baby.