New Tank Idea

Hey all,

So I am getting a big ars new tank soon - http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4070848 (36x18x16)

I am thinking of trying multiple emp scorpions. Maybe 3? That would give them a lot of room even when full grown i think. I wanna make it a "den of death" theme with animals skulls and creepy stuff like that.

Any suggestions for housing multiple emps? Maybe you can link me to any previous forum threads and thoughts on this size tank for an emp.

I think i might need a infrared heat lamp for each side?

Does anyone know if these zilla critter cage screen lids can have a heat lamp set on top of them without melting?

I would go with 1 emp per 5 gallons and one red light should do it , It just varies on what size bulb you get. You can sit it right on the top , but what I do is cover the lid partially with saran wrap to keep in humidity so I wouldnt do it just because I wouldnt want it to melt Good luck with the Den of Death!


As far as housing together just make sure they are all roughly the same size.



also I would check out craigslist for a used tank they sell them very cheap usually but if you're set on new that fine ...just an option

Just as a fyi considering you linked petsmart's site... I believe those measurements are for a 40g breeder. If you don't mind going with a slightly different tank, petco(if there's one near you) has regular sales on their tanks for $1 a gallon.... so you could get a 40g for $40 if you went at the right time instead of the $90 that the zilla cage costs.

Although to be fair you would have to get in early to get a shorter squat tank which would be more suited to keeping the emps as they run out quickly.

Yeah I check the petco once in a while they do not have much as far as reptile tanks go mostly just fish tanks. I just really like that zilla one and like buying new.

I rotate between 4 local pet stores looking for stuff lol. I'm in an excellent location to have exotic pets there is even a big show once a year near me.

I think I'm going to get a big cow skull as the centerpiece and then decorate around that with some live plants maybe like a fern, some other hides, etc.

I wouldn't use a real skull in a high humidity tank like an Emperor requires. It will get all nasty and hold bacteria.

A fish tank is the same as a reptile tank, except that fish tanks are built stronger to hold all that water weight. You could buy a new 40 gallon breeder and a screen lid for less than ninety dollars at Petco. Sure it won't be a fancy sliding lid, but it'll do the same thing. Rather than using saran wrap to keep in the humidity, get some glass out of picture frames to set on top of the screen. Not only will it help keep the humidity in, it won't melt, and it will weigh down the top so they don't get out.

Just my two cents though. Do what makes you tingle.

Good point might have to think of something else besides the skull. Yeah I'll check petco again see if they have anything cheaper.

i have that zilla for my ball python with fixed on top.it could most definately house three emperors and ive had a heat lamp directly on top of the screen at one point for awhile and it wont melt.i woulnt put the heat lamp on it though cause it heats up the screen and isnt exactly comfortable to touch when its hot..besides my bp doesnt use a lamp anymore.

im over due for upgrading my emps tank.ill be getting a 20gallon for $20 a locking lid for $10-15.picture frames glass is what youd want but since i dont have an abundance of old frames and when i do get new ones i have alot of pics to put in em so ill color duct tape some foil three quarters over the lid and put a heat lamp angled and pointing into the open part so theirs a heat gradient and the humidity stays high.

skulls and a viv of doom could go two ways,siiiiiicccckkk or cheesy.
gooooooddd luuccckk

Thanks for the info, yeah I will think of something I've been learning towards just doing a more natural habitat look I think the pets like it better that way.

Or for under $10, you can get a sheet of lexcon or plexiglass and cut it to fit over the top. Drill as many hols as you like for ventelation and presto. Only problem is you have to find a different way to mount your lamp(as opposed to clamping the sides of the tank.

And what I meant by petco and their fish tanks /reptile tanks... I was remarking that you usually dont find fish tanks in 36X18X16 sizes at petco

Good news, petco has the big breeder tank i want on sale 50 percent off so its only $60 right now. Im gonna grab one ASAP thats a nice deal i think for a huge zilla cage.

I also found a sweet giant piece of cork bark that will make the perfect hide for even multiple scorps. Cant wait to set this bad boy up! Will keep you all posted and post pics in a few weeks at the most.

Dude... Sauerkraut, where do you find plexi for that cheap? It's like 60 bones a sheet here.

I get picture frames at the second hand thrift shop. Usually a dollar a piece or so.

We have a chain here, ace hardware. I got a 20" by 32" for $9.something

I suppose I should have said acrylic.
It's the thickness that drives costs. A .100" sheet of acrylic is perfect for covers, which is what I use. I've also used it in a 30g paludarium to make a 5g tank inside. I'm sure you're purchasing much thicker stuff

I find with the thin stuff it'll warp and you have to constantly flip it. We have Ace here as well. I'll check their stock. Thanks!