How to SAVE MONEY Keeping Reptiles | Top 5 Money Saving Hacks For Reptile Keepers

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

what is your favorite money saving hack?

[@critterchasingkids4760]

I breed my own bugs

[@critterchasingkids4760]

I also use containers from food we eat and make it useable

[@zevipere]

"Buying a job" -wwr

[@aonirnolaloth]

i made a dark brown pottery waterdish, but i have access to a pottery kiln. its almost the color of the cocopeat substrate and doesn't look out of place.

[@wildabeeest638]

Got my first leo not too long ago and I’m having a try at breeding some worms, as of now I got a bunch of pupae no beetles yet

[@StupidCatLady]

Im best friends with my small local reptile shop. I honestly love them and it's gotten to the point where they're worried if we don't come in for a week. Can't tell you how much they've either given me for free, or given me super discounted. Plus I made life long friends

[@Madchris8828]

I love hearing stories like this. Buying local is often a great option and it's cool getting to know the people!

[@fuzzymelon1261]

if only there was a reptile shop anywhere near me. all I have is petco. I only get supplies there like food

[@rhyswerner1748]

@@fuzzymelon1261 good on ya mate! Don’t support the pet smart or petco reptiles. Because they are abused and won’t live long

[@oliveleary661]

Looking to get a gecko on a budget, so this really helps!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

:)

[@TracyK6066]

Oh god haha, I definitely made the dumb "let's spend $15 on a reptile water dish because it's made to look like a rock" instead of just buying a regular old bowl as a waterdish haha.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

oh we all have for sure

[@nicolerok9100]

Pro tip for plants: craft stores! Places like michael's also usually have 20-30% off coupons on their websites!

[@Aziara86]

Yes! And the quality (aka, how real they look) is so much better at craft stores vs the dollar store

[@knitter4years]

Craft stores have a fantastic selection and they are high quality. I got branches and silk vines and plants and flowers there.

[@mindyjordan5307]

Dollar Tree suction cup soap dishes make great crested gecko feeding ledges! I also buy a pack of 12 little cups for a buck that fit in the dish perfectly!!

[@jyrex978]

"Gotta buy a job" hahaha ;) In all seriousness though get into DIY if you have the tools to do so and also collect materials from the outdoors if you can sanitize it properly. Branches and rocks at a pet store are super expensive. Also if you have friends/family that work in construction you can luck out and get some really great stuff from demo's of buildings such as large panes of glass for building your own enclosures.

[@snakeluvr1395]

As the owner of 2 snakes, 2 geckos, a tarantula, a red eared slider, and 2 frogs, I needed this video 😂

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

woooooooo

[@TheGreatWolfYT]

I swear one of the local petstores my town has is the best. They get off brand but high quality stuff that's very cheap and they actually care for the animals they sell. I'm actually happy that they're doing good, they are the only store this small company has and others tried to do this before but went bankrupt very fast. I just love to go by there. They also have stuff that was opened or with tiny scratches (from shipping) at insane discounts.

[@brinmayer2092]

I wanted a spooky theme for my snake, so I took old decorations I didn't use and made them snake friendly! ( Washed, disinfected, and made sure he couldn't hurt himself on them )

[@paulp8857]

This probably falls under DIY, but i print most of my hides and bowls on my 3D printer. I've designed most of my own as i can custom fit them to my enclosures, but there are loads published and shared online. It's particularly useful for humid hides as I can make them the perfect size for a good layer of substrate and my geckos and snakes prefer them to any others.

[@LaNcerblade100]

Where can i find the designs?

[@LaNcerblade100]

Would you help me design a perch for baby carpet pythons?

[@linglingspacewhales1977]

My boyfriend recently got a 3D printer and has been printing hides for my critters. Definitely saved me money 🤣

[@omary5439]

Just remember that pla dissolves in water and also dissolves in heat which is not great considering tropical or desert enclosures so if you're printing for reptiles definitely make sure to use either ABS filament or an animal safe resin for resin printer

[@caseysilva6919]

I have gotten tanks from my local reptile shop for cheap. I also have a side hustle breeding different species of isopods and culturing fruit flies which I bring to the local reptile shop for either cash or trade.

[@critterchasingkids4760]

Most people know I love reptiles and just give me tanks

[@MoinSpongii]

Got my first snake yesterday and I am beyond happy. It's a baby Dalmatian pied ball python! She is so super cute!

[@xandermin]

Congratulations!

[@MoinSpongii]

@@xandermin thank you so much:)

[@naudiaangelica6925]

I highly recommend sealing any decor plants before putting them in the tanks. Something as simply as a spray sealant will save an enormous amount of effort in getting these things clean, and something like a clear spray flex seal will reinforce them well, and it's even aquarium safe.

[@tatsuketheknown7973]

I use the same thermastat lol so much cheaper and love them. Use them for all my reptiles. I also enjoy making things for the reptiles. And I'll sometimes find stuff at hobby lobby when they have things on sell.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100%

[@rickcroney1286]

Great video, we actually use all five of these hacks! If you can build enclosures look at the furniture in the classifieds for something that you can convert. Our Ackie Monitor enclosure was a $20 cabinet that I converted and can now be seen in the Ackie Monitor care guide on ReptiFiles.

[@Tink00]

Just searched it up and it looks awesome!

[@rickcroney1286]

@@Tink00 Thank you!

[@cydneebrockett9153]

What are “the classifieds” ? Is it hard converting furniture into enclosures? Does it save a lot of money?

[@rickcroney1286]

@@cydneebrockett9153 in Canada we have Kijiji and in the US it's Craigslist. The conversion wasn't very difficult but you do need to ensure that it is safe from moisture by waterproofing. There's many KZbin visit on how to do it.

[@wina4573]

Yes, it would be great to have a DIY enclosures video, thanks

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Coming soon!

[@xandermin]

Great video as always! One thing that I find can help save you a lot of money is just connecting with other reptile keepers in your area via places like Facebook groups. Maybe someone in your local community has an empty terrarium that's the exact size you need, and you can get it for cheap or even do a trade! It's also just good to know other keepers in your area so you can support each other, for example by babysitting each other's animals if needed, & of course by sharing advice & experiences. OH also, THRIFT STORES! If you need stuff like plastic containers, shelves, furniture you can upcycle into an enclosure, or even fabric for a lizard hammock, local thrift stores are 100% the way to go.

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

Great tips! I never thought to look for hoods at the hardware store. I get a lot of good deals at Restore (Habitat For Humanity Charity Store) for all sorts of building materials, bulbs or other stuff for enclosure builds. $1-$2 for a can of spray foam or tube of silicone. You can't beat that!

[@alisonadkins3877]

The dollar store plant advice is the best tip, it also lets you do a little more with customization for how the enclosure looks (I found a fall foliage vine for my tree frogs and it's adorable).

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Very true!

[@varanidguy]

You highlighted something that bothers me in the reptile industry, and that's rebranding hardware store and garden center supplies as "reptile specific" (despite being the same exact thing), thereby massively inflating the cost. You can get coco coir, coco husk, halogens, domes, fixtures, organic cypress mulch, etc etc from these places at a fraction of the cost. It just grinds my gears lol

[@ace1666]

That concrete hide hack is genius

[@kymberlysteiger8125]

I ordered my heat tape from Reptile Basic’s today! Thank You 🙏 I almost have everything for Lucy’s Kages enclosure, just need a few more decorations. Their machine that makes the swing doors (ya I bought the expensive one lol) broke, so I opted to wait the extra time for their new machine to come in! All good things to those who wait 😃 You ALWAYS have the BEST recommendations! Stay awesome 😎

[@prepperpov5852]

Interesting, that it’s hard to find permethrin where you are. I mix my own from concentrate and use it when going in the woods. No ticks! I really wasn’t aware that it was safe for animals, though. It’s a great idea to make local connections at expos!

[@kenzowyd]

i’m thinking abt getting a snake , is permethrin something i should get or is it only important if your snake has mites?

[@amberb.7856]

Thanks Adam awesome video!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad you liked it!

[@josephdisselkamp2586]

Used double hung windows from home renovations make a great sliding front for large homemade enclosures

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

great idea

[@amandafox29]

I started a dubia breeder bin to save money. Also, unfortunately my local pet shop is more expensive than the chain stores as well.

[@randomcharlie3365]

Buying used/local has saved me SO MUCH money honestly. This weekend I'm getting 2 tanks (40 gallon and 50 gallon) with a bunch of hides, bowls, a heat mat, some light fixtures and I think some decor all for $200. All that at a pet store would likely be over $400 here at petsmart

[@laurenroberts3821]

I'd love to see a Pac man frog care guide because I'm thinking of getting one but I also love watching your videos!

[@cutekoala9472]

Thank you I'm getting a corn snake and it's out of my budget for all the supply thank you this helps alot

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

so glad it helps

[@Textile_Courtesan]

You're gonna love your corn snake! My favourite snake!

[@cutekoala9472]

@@WickensWickedReptiles you don't know how much just a reply from you means to me 😊

[@cutekoala9472]

@@Textile_Courtesan thanks

[@kingdre7492]

@@Textile_Courtesan yea to me it’s the best pet snake by far and I have several species but I love my corns the most

[@GECKOPIA]

This is a super good topic~ I bet everything will go out of stock at the dollar store as soon as people find this video. Thanks always helping everyone 😊

[@SnowyShadowBear12]

Dont forget etsy, I find so many dishes, hides and more off of etsy. Stroodies, LagunaReptiles, GECKOPIA, and more and most of there simple items like bowls, arboreal dishes, etc are cheap. And goodwill, I've found reptile stuff before but I've also found shelves and cabinets that can be used for bin racks or the cabinets be converted into enclosures. Ive seen a cabinet that was almost completely sided with glass and only would have needed doors put in and sealant on the wood, it was only $2 for this giant entertainment center/cabinet. Wouldve been great for a crested gecko or day gecko etc. Etsy also has allamericancages, Ive seen the same dimensions front opening as an exo terra for like 150 almost half the price. And iheatgeckos has conversion kits to convert a 20 long or 10 gallon etc into arboreal or 20 long to a terestrial to be front opening, if you need more ventilation remove the panel of glass and put a screen lid. KZbin has videos of removing aquarium rims and glass panels. Also aquarium tanks tend to be cheaper than reptile tanks, if you dont need front opening check offerup, facebook marketplace, or craigslist. Tons of tanks for cheap

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

good call!

[@noellefleig9295]

For going bioactive there are a lot of gardening clubs and Facebook groups all about trading or buying sometimes the trade can be almost anything like I’ve traded a pond liner for a handful of exotic plants that I couldn’t find in the average garden center! And sometimes just taking snips of plants that propagated easily from random outings. Just make sure to rinse the plants because who knows how other keep their gardens!

[@lucasdamon8863]

I'd honestly love to see a DIY enclosure video, I'm thinking of building a pvc one eventually for when my baby corn snake and boa grow up, and although I can build a box no problem with the right measurements and everything I'm really curious as to what to do with ventilation, how to properly set up a door whether it be sliding or pulled up/down, settting up an area for the heat panel but also the probe, the lighting, ways to make it stackable, etc. All these little things might be a little advanced but I've been trying to find ways to build something that is both practical and aesthetic

[@spurguvitunhuora9119]

When you think you want to own a reptile because of its pretty colors, think: Do you though? I love my ball python that only cost 120 euros, since butter cinnamon isnt a rare morph. But if I was as wealthy, as I have been on my best times, I might have paid ten times that much. Just to get a shinier sausage, that always wants to chill in the darkness anyways.

[@pebbletongue5519]

Yes please do a build things video

[@WingMom-ek8ft]

GREAT video Adam thank you so much for the tips and tricks! I'm new to being a beardy owner (don't think I even rate as a hobbyist) but this is very helpful!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Happy to help!

[@ZHExotics]

These are some pretty good ideas on saving money while it doesn't affect the care if your animal greatly, especially reptimite hack, great video

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Alicia.Marie.13]

I love the ipower thermostat! I use them as well. I have even got heat mats from them and they work great!

[@annalockman5038]

I love you're videos, they always make my day😊

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

You are so kind

[@Bluehasnoclues]

I'm soon going to be getting some of the plants at the dollar store cause I need more for my crested geckos tank since he got an upgrade a couple weeks ago.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

nice!

[@eleanorbrady5381]

I got a full beardie light set up and enclosure for free as appose to being charged €250-€300 for it. I completely agree with getting free or cheap second hand, its cost effeftive and usually is a great help

[@cydneebrockett9153]

Where did you find that deal?

[@LemonScentedSharpie]

Buy Local is great advice for anything. I buy from a local store for my plants and not only do the plants I buy from the greenhouse last well she also hand-mixes organic soil and sells me a gallon of it for a buck (I live in an apartment so I don't need a big bag). Plus she has a bunch of antiques for sale too so it's always a blast to stop in and see what she has (Found some really neat edwardian hat-pins last time I went there!)

[@beverlyjensen443]

I have really enjoyed the last couple of vids...though all are fun. Thank you!!!

[@jordanh6760]

Any and all DIY videos you can share would be awesome!!!

[@MOONOVERMIAMI]

Hello great video information Adam

[@Galactic_rats]

Completely agree I use all of these tips :) I also breed rats (for pet and show, not feeders) shame all my snakes eat mice 😅 I got my hognose because someone had one for boarding and never came back from it and my local reptile shop knew I would be interested and asked me when I bet in for crickets.

[@tarantulacollective]

Great tips dude

[@DM-ql6ps]

For species that eat a lot of greens like bearded dragons, uromastyx, and tortoises, consider growing your own if you have the space/climate for it. I bought a 3-dollar arguala plant (pretty much the same price as a bag of arguala) and its been providing my beardie with tons of arugala for her salads. In the warmer months, I hardly spend anything on her greens (obv she also gets feeder insects and other veggies) because I have dandelion, arguala, parsley, mint, and a few other herbs in my garden. She really loves the tiny new dandelion leaves and the dandelion flowers. You can even set up a bed in a windowsill or balcony and grow microgreens and edible herbs.

[@dynamosaurusimperious6341]

Wicken has now made me understand the importance of caring for your reptile( SO FAR).

[@jameskathleen8641]

Please make a video about make in a reptile enclosures

[@djboogaloo7098]

I love these vids

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks :)

[@carlahoney4980]

Me and my partner are in the middle of making a wooden corn snake and bearded dragon rack enclosures as up grading size ,very excited for the finish result ,struggling with the exact heating and light to put inside the bearded dragon enclosure tho as new to bearded dragon keeping not got the bearded dragon yet by the way

[@RIBZ85]

After much research I've come to the conclusion my man Adam has been blazing hard before his videos good man love the content

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahaha

[@kerm9807]

Top Tips Mate 👌

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad you enjoyed

[@azzikko2688]

Absolute king advice with the tips about finding substrate and light fixtures at the hardware store for less.

[@Tink00]

Yesss I'm so glad you made this one, thank you!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

You're so welcome!

[@WolfGirlCasey]

i always use vivosun plant heat mats. used them for bettas, still use them for herps

[@andreweaton8004]

I use canned foam to shape my hides and then put wax paper over is and then concrete. Once dried, I can pull the foam out, and I have a template for multiple hides.

[@smithanimals]

you inspired me to make mi own youtube videos about snake's in Czech language ☺😍😘🐍🦎🐢

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

that is so cool

[@RaptureSniping]

Couple years late on this but I will say, your local hobby/craft store is your best friend when keeping reptiles. You can find 10x more stuff then the reptile shop would own and its all super cheap in comparison. On the east coast here in the US Jo Ann Fabrics and Hobby Lobby have built half my enclosures haha

[@jasonvickery8393]

Yes

[@ihatefishxd9438]

Please make an envlosure build vid

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

ok

[@ricardosmythe2548]

All of my leopard geckos came a few yrs old with kitted out enclosures for less than it could of cost to by them as individuals. Mourning geckos came as a colony for around £6 each and love there homemade enclosure. Great tips. It can be done on the cheap

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wicked!

[@Lilith-Rose]

I buy off brand, second hand and build it myself. My favourite example was when I needed a fogger but there's no way I'm paying the ridiculous price they go for when I could use an ultrasonic module and aquarium air pump I had lying around along with tubing and some tupperware from the pound shop to build one that works perfectly. I needed a small feeding dish that mealworms couldn't escape from so I found on ebay a set of two for a few pounds shipped straight from China, don't overlook cheap Chinese goods as an option because honestly these days 90% of the time its from the exact same factory that's producing the name brand goods. There are drawbacks such as shipping time and risk of poor description etc but imo its worth it still

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

great tips

[@nikkibowden3533]

I agree so much

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

:)

[@KatDeel]

DIY all the way! Recently made a whole bunch of hides and decor for my leopard gecko with styrofoam, grout and sealant! Plants courtesy of the dollar store. Themed it to Horizon Zero Dawn 😎

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wicked

[@fanime1]

That's cool. I want to make a gothic themed terrarium for my gargoyle gecko.

[@daroyalpythons1887]

I loved this blog especially.

[@deelaneenn6677]

great channel man

[@catfood2]

Thank you so much for the amazing quality vid as always 🙏🙇🏼‍♀️

[@dolando0960]

like this video man keep it up

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks, will do!

[@SplicedSerpents]

DIY and make huge savings. I'm building a new rack now (progress will be uploaded on YT soon). I made some clay hides or for bigger hides just adapt tubs from the pound shop/dollar store.

[@beecloke6762]

Love this video! it's helpful as i'm interested in a Australian white green tree frog !

[@reptiknowledge9102]

That was an awesome video thanks

[@Sawyerbivens]

Buy old aquariums from craigslist or offerup and cut them apart for the fronts on enclosures!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

for sure

[@gopro_groms1426]

Hey Adam! Could you make a video all about PVC enclosures and which brands you would recommend, that would be awesome thx

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Sure, Kages. Link in the description. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else

[@abigailmackay7946]

Yeah there this local reptile store were I live and I love it! All the people that are there are around 20 that are super into the hobbie and you get the absolute greatest bugs there. First they check the meal worms for you and make sure that there alive and gut loaded. Also when I get dubias I can ask them to get like the smallest of the mediums (the roaches are so big there were the could prob eat me btw) When I go to a chain pet store and get food most of the mealworms are dead or about be, the biggest size isn't even that big, and the dubias are so small and you can only get like 10 for 20 bucks.

[@janehopper4699]

Great hacks! Especially love the tip on buying off brand, I swear petco/petsmart are such a rip off 😒. Awesome video man!

[@Travelwith_Adrienne]

Thanks for the tips. I thought about building enclosure but not sure. Have to try the hide hack. Dollar stores are great. Do not buy the light fixtures from a Farm and ranch store it has no on and off switch so annoying.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Great tip!

[@Madchris8828]

I couldn't comment when this video came out, so I just hit the like button. I was working at the time.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks :)

[@denniscessna5544]

Thrift stores are another great place to get stuff, specific or to repurpose.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

for sure!

[@johnturecki6242]

HI can u make a video this summer about herping please

[@ravenalexandria9303]

Sick editing mate!

[@merlinambrosius4398]

Great video. 👍

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks for the visit

[@devsie11915]

I go to goodwill and find some SUPER cheap furniture, and convert them into enclosures. I’ve converted two display cases that are working beautifully

[@courtneyscheer1364]

Please do a DIY video! I am needing bigger enclosures!

[@nadinehoard1491]

Definitely using that hide idea!..why didn't I think of that? Lol..currently on a journey to make a foam tank background cause I couldn't find one I really liked

[@lilymoon5449]

Breed your own bugs like meal worms and crickets. Mealworms are super easy to breed

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks for the tip

[@NemasMenagerie]

I got most of my decor from the clearance racks of Michael's

[@ginganinja9135]

any good recommendations on heat panels ?

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

reptile basics

[@retaliationeffort2864]

I get the mini halogen bulbs for $6 at lowes while the same thing is $10 at petco. I also use the pottery plates from lowes for food bowls too. Coconut fiber bedding is also cheaper.

[@exoticed7833]

Livestock dogs & cat all of course require entirely different doses but in mammals it’s a heart worm preventative and or mange red spot healer and so on .

[@maynardwilson2668]

Do a vid on beauty snakes, or Malagasy cat eyes as I have both and can’t find much about them

[@DangernoodleDave]

That idea of making a hide out of concrete and tupperware is a great idea!!

[@Logan.]

Love it!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks!!

[@Logan.]

@@WickensWickedReptiles anytime, really think all the community polls resulted in a lot of great ideas

[@brucebaldwin309]

So can u use heat mat for bioactive leopard gecko enclosure

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

SURE

[@spiderj379]

Loving the intro

[@nogames8982]

I have gotten great stuff at the farm and ranch store for my animals, clued in my reptiles.

[@QuillenDeChant]

hello from down under, lots of popular reptiles come from Australia and they are expensive in the U.S but here they are cheaper but it comes at the cost of not being able to own any reptiles outside of Australia, also the enclosure here are so expensive

[@EmoEmu]

Btw, if you are starting off, and you're on a struggle budget, then any heat-resistant "dome" with aluminium foil glued to the inside will do a nice job of reflecting those rays just like any $40 Exoterra Lightdome would have. I wouldn't skimp on the ceramic bulb fitting though. Respect the melting heat.