Perfect Conditions? suitable tank?

[Crackers]

My Female Adult D. Gigantea is currently living in a sturdy glass 'Perfecto' tank, i believe was used for small rodents with a shelf that is mid way up like this one but with one large shelf as opposed to 3 smaller ones:

Small perfecto tank with shelf image by haydoms on Photobucket (http://media.photobucket.com/image/small%20perfecto%20tank%20with%20shelf/haydoms/3shelf.jpg)

It has a metal mesh slide lid and a second small circular ventilation hole which can be seen to the right of the tank. The tank is 51x31x26cm (length, height, depth) and my adult female is on her own (i think she is currently measuring between 14 - 16cm). The tank is on top of my snake cage about 1metre away from my window. she at present does not have a heat mat (i have been informed that these are not necessary) and am currently using eco earth coconut block as substrate, and am obviously spraying it on a semi - regular basis. does this sound sufficient to her well being? or should i try the tank on its side to make it taller, should i use a fan, etc to make the ventilation more efficient and any other advice, as this is my first large phasmid and am having some trouble taking in so much information, or even just confirmation that this is ok.

Thanks, Charlie :confused:

[Daniel Ballmer]

This tank would be suitable for her, but not for the coming generations. The height is too low, it must be about three times the length of an adult to grant moults without problems. The shelves are also obstructive.

[Crackers]

ok becuase i was thinking of buying one of those net mesh things that usually house indian stickies to keep the nymphs in. (one of the tall ones, wuld that suffice?)

cheers, charlie

[Taz Devil]

Could you not just stand your current tank on it's side and use the sliding mesh lid as a front door??

[Crackers]

it is an obvious possibility, but i would have to put a chunk of wood at the bottom to stop sedemnt etc falling off the edge every time i opened it. also if i put the tank on its side the central dividing shelf would run a line up the centre of the cage in a verticle line as opposed to a horizontal at present and may mean a lack of ground space. which i think may be helpful if she is laying, or am i just being silly? :P
Ideally though id like to get a larger tank that can accomodate all of her needs with out compromise, and could also be used in the future once she has passed away for the babies :)

,Charlie

[Taz Devil]

If she's laying then she is adult and will not moult any more so the tank is OK for her. Once the nymphs have hatched it will be OK to keep them in the tank for 2 or 3 moults then I'd upgrade to something larger. As said look for something about 3 times the length of the stick in question.

[Crackers]

ok thank you :)

[Krendoshazin]

I've recently purchased a perfecto tank and it's completely empty. As my khaoyaiensis don't need substrate then turning it on its side poses few problems. If it were me I would probably sell that tank and invest the money in one more suitable for long term use, that way you're not digging too much out of your own pocket. Try a few auction sites, you can save a lot of money on collection only items.