Thanks for the info Jan. I had just read about the pebbles the other day. I've since removed all of the smaller ones and left a few larger stones just for a little deco. I definately know not to house him with my marbled. The size difference is tremendous and I wouldn't want a quarrel regardless.
I have my tiger in a large breeder box that has a floorspace of 16" by 14". It's about 8" tall. I have approx. 3-4" of eco earth. About 4" on one end slanting to about 3" although he's got it all messed up from burrowing. I think he's actually a she. I don't see a bulge near his vent. I also have a cool whip bowl converted into a hide in there but he really doesn't mess with it. I also have a home-made water dish thats about 1 1/2" deep and 6" across. It seems he'd rather stay under it than drink from it or soak in it. Anyway, it seems like he has plenty of floorspace. What do you recommend? I was thinking of creating a naturalistic setup in a 20 gallon long but I hear that elaborate setups are a waste of time for tigers since they produce so much waste. A 20 gallon would be nice but is it too much? Would a 10 gallon be better suited for a solitary tiger? I don't plan to breed or add any tank-mates. Thanks again.
Ben
I think your set-up is fine for a single adult tiger, good substrate depth, a hide and a water dish. One will do well in a 10 gallon aquarium, which provides about the same surface area that you have. With these guys, viv surface area is more important than height. A 20 gallon long would be a palatial estate for a single tiger....nothing at all wrong with that - very generally, the bigger the better.
As for elaborate set-ups, my preference is a simple set up that is easily cleaned and maintained. Elaborate set-ups are attractive, but the animal doesn't need it - is more for cosmetics and more difficult to clean/maintain IMO. I like to have real looking silk plants to give a little more natural appearance to my aquarium vivs. Live plants are tough with tigers as they dig...and there go the plant roots.
Regarding your water bowl, just make sure the tiger can easily get out of it - believe it or not, there is a chance it could drown - they are not great swimmers in general. Typically, they are found around water only during the breeding season, however mine will occasionally take a quick dip in their water bowls. Mine also hide under their water dishes and rarely use their other hides.
Tigers do not drink per se - they get their water from absorbtion through their skin and from their prey. That is why you need to keep their substrate moist - but not soggy. The water bowl also helps maintain moisture in the viv.
Regarding waste...a tiger's feces looks like a little brown football (up to 1+ inches depending on the size of the animal)...often you will see undigested insect parts in it, like heads and wings of crickets. I like to spot clean my vivs a few times a week to remove feces. If you will be feeding crickets often, they should be gut loaded or dusted with a quality vitamin and calcium mixture. Earthworms and nightcrawlers are the 'perfect food' as the calcium/phosphorus ratio is optimal.
Glad to see you have caught the caudata 'bug' - welcome! Please keep asking any questions you may have. There are many very knowledgeable folks on this site who are more than willing to share information and experiences.
He really does have a big appetite doesn't he. I'd have to go with the last post stating that you probably would want to add a shelter for it so it doesn't get stressed.