do pedes scratch acrylic?

[damiiian]

I never tried acrylic for my pede just wondering if they can leave scratch marks on the tank? I kind of want to keep it looking nice

 

[BobBarley]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "big' centipede species can. I doubt that any millipedes could though.

 

[Crowbawt]

They'll certainly try, I caught my S. viridis gnawing at the walls of her enclosure just this morning. She didn't seem to leave a mark but she's only about 3.5 inches, the larger ones might.

Millipedes I doubt it, though mine sometimes get frass on the sides of their tank near the sub.

 

[DubiaW]

I've been keeping a few of my large S. dehaani in acrylic for a while. No scratch marks. The only issue is that acrylic can absorb some humidity and warp slightly. So far there has been some warpage on my 12X8X8" acrylic cage between the hasp at each end of the lid (not enough to allow my S. dehaani escape), but none on my 10X8X8. Avoid enclosures with long open edges to avoid warpage. Try to find ones with smaller vents at the top of the cage. T's have been known to chew through the wire, but the side vents on mine have no evidence of damage.

 

[damiiian]

Thanks for all the info guys!

 

[DubiaW]

I have a friend that makes beautiful acrylic enclosures. I have him making some custom centipede enclosures for me with small top vents. He flame polishes the cut edges so that they are crystal clear. Here is his web site http://www.thereptileemporium.com/the-bug-cage-companys-acrylic-cages/ There are more designs than he has on his site. Tell him Jesse sent you.

 

[Crowbawt]

I've only ever seen custom arcylic cages geared around T's so I'm glad to hear someone is making centipede specific cages.

 

[DubiaW]

I'll post some pics when he finishes them. Having vents on the side isn't so bad since i can just mist the cage through the vents. If they weren't so large I wouldn't have to mist as much though.

 

[damiiian]

I have a friend that makes beautiful acrylic enclosures. I have him making some custom centipede enclosures for me with small top vents. He flame polishes the cut edges so that they are crystal clear. Here is his web site http://www.thereptileemporium.com/the-bug-cage-companys-acrylic-cages/ There are more designs than he has on his site. Tell him Jesse sent you.

Nice, I been wondering where I could get some custom enclosures. Looking forward to when you post those pics

 

[DubiaW]

Nice, I been wondering where I could get some custom enclosures. Looking forward to when you post those pics

He has been bogged down with orders for a long time. I've been helping him sand and prepare the pieces for polishing. It's been so long that I forgot that I would post those pics. I have one that Is a lot like the one I've asked for. I'll post a pic of that when I get the chance.

 

[DubiaW]

OK, here is the design that I have settled on, except the custom enclosures are going to be about 2" taller. With a single vent on top the humidity doesn't escape as easily, and requires less upkeep. The banded morph S. heros in the middle has been remodeling.

 

[DubiaW]

Here is the standard 12X8X8" terrestrial top opening with a vent at each end. Covering one opening with scotch tape reduces air flow enough to retain humidity. I haven't seen any evidence of centipedes trying to chew their way out yet.

 

[DubiaW]

Decomposed granite sand layer over coco fiber reduces the amount of bacteria from left over prey that would otherwise get mixed into the substrate. The rock sits directly on the layer of coco fiber so the pede has access to soft moist substrate. Nothing to do with acrylic but FYI it seems to be working for tropical pedes as well as desert pedes. I'm changing all my chilopods over to this style of substrate. It hasn't scratched my acrylic yet but time will tell.

 

[DubiaW]

Here is a 8X5X5.5" terrestrial top opening acrylic that I like for plings.