1st time Leo setup, need critique please

Carbonz

New Member
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14
Location
Raleigh
New member, and I've been reading up on all things Leo related for a good bit now. Just have a few questions, before I order up our first gecko. The tank looks a little sparse, I'd like to add some more fake plants later, as well as a background, but before I do I wanted to make sure this setup will suffice. Just want to make sure I covered all my basis before ordering up our first Leo.

WP_20150703_001.jpg


Nat geo tank
Warm hide left
Humid hide center
Cool hide right
Water dish
Calcium dish
UTH with hydrofarm set to 92
Humidity/temp gauge
LED day night light. (non heating as its led)

I tiled the tank with ceramic tiles, but instead of grouting them in I used aquarium sealant to fill in the gaps. Hope that is ok? Figured it would make cleanup a breeze, and I didn't have to worry about sealing the grout lines.

Its steady holding temp at the hotspot under the hide at 92, but I can set it higher or lower if need be. Currently using a small zoo med uth, but it seems too small. I have a med size one I can replace it with that would cover aprox half the tank. Switch em out, or just leave the small?

SO is there anything I'm missing or that should be adjusted? If I increase the UTH size, the humid hide would then partially sit on top of the uth. Any problems with that? I've read conflicting ideas on the humid hide which is why I ask. Some say keep it cool, some keep it warm? Confusion?

Any critique would be greatly appreciated. Want everything perfect for our Leo when he/she gets here.
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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Looks very nice. What size is the tank? What is the belly temp on the cool side? The medium UTH would work as long as you have a good temp gradient from warm to cool. If the temps on the cool side are already in the 80's, then I would not change it. It is fine if the humid hide sits on the UTH, in my opinion.
As far as more decor, you could add a cool log to climb on.
 

Carbonz

New Member
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14
Location
Raleigh
Thanks. The tank is an 18g. The cool side was just a tad warmer than ambient, about 74-75ish. Does that justify putting in the larger uth, so the drop off is not as severe?
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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Alabama
Personally, I would not change. If you are getting 92 on the warm side and 74-75 on the cool, I would think that would be fine.
 

indyana

Well-Known Member
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2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Nice starter setup! You'll have to let us know how the silicone works out. That does seem like a pretty good idea.

What are you using to measure the floor temperature? A temp gun will give you the most accuracy for that.

And yes, if you want to add in the future, I'd also suggest going for wood structures or other decorations to climb on. Despite being terrestrial, leopard geckos love to climb and explore. :)
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
I'll let you know how the silicone holds up. Fairly easily replaced anyway further on down the line if need be.

I was using sticky thermometers for test areas, and a baby thermometer. Going off the hydrofarm setting for the hide, which seemed to be pretty accurate. I just ordered up a temp gun from amazon though so that should be here in a few days.

If the temp gun has readings below 74-75 on the cool side, should I start thinking about a bigger uth? I guess what I should ask is what is the coolest surface temp the tank should have?

Also ordered up our first gecko today. Should be here in several days I hope. Excited, and she is beautiful. I'll definitely get some logs for her to climb around on. Wasn't aware they liked to climb around much.
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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1,285
Location
Alabama
Yes, temp gun is the way to go. I never go by the thermostat, or those dial sticky thermometers.

If you find the cool side is actually cooler than 74-74 readings then yes, you can change. But, once you spot check your warm and cool side with the infrared gun, I think you will find that the small UTH for that size tank will be fine.


GulfCoastGeckos
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
Well she is on her way. Tank is setup in its final location, but according to the temp gun the cool side is aprox 72.5. Too cold I'm assuming? I could wait until I adjust it as I might have temp creep as the tiles warm, but I'd say at this point its at a standstill.

Cheetara.jpg


Our gecko will be here tomorrow morning though, and is about to shed as well, which is why her color is dull. Should I adjust now to the larger uth, and stay vigilant though the night watching temps, or keep it as is and wait to adjust?

Regarding the hydrotherm...Its currently set on the hot spot, but obviously that would get in the way when she lays there. Do you all move it to the side and adjust the settings based on the hot spot? If that makes any sense.
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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1,285
Location
Alabama
Is your thermostat probe directly on the UTH? It needs to be directly on the UTH to regulate. It will make adjusting a lot easier. If the probe is setting on top of the tile, other things (ambient air, gecko) will affect the readings.
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
Yes the probe is currently sitting right on top of the uth. The small sized uth is just well... small... and I was worried about out Leo moving it around throwing things off. Or not wanting to lay on the hot spot with the probe in the way. It comes with a suction cup, but I was going to strap the wire down with a piece of electrical tape. Any no no's to that?

Ive double checked for the space, "air" in between the temp gun and its reading source, and it seems to be steady at 92 on the hot side no matter what I use to measure it. Give or take a 1/10th of a degree or two.

Maybe I'm just being overly worrisome, but I've never housed a reptile before, and just want everything to be better than good enough:)

And thanks again scm for being so quick to respond. Its much appreciated:main_thumbsup:
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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1,285
Location
Alabama
Ok..but it is advisable for UTH to be under the tile. Not where the gecko can actually lay on top of it. This could cause a serious burn if it malfunctioned.
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
I misunderstood the question. The uth is underneath the tank, the probe is sitting on top of the tile which, is on top on the uth.
 
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scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
NP. :) the thermostat probe should be directly touching the UTH, in order to control the UTH properly.
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
Gotcha. i'll reposition the probe to the underside of the tank then. What about the cool side being cooler than 75?
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Cool side should run around 75. So after readjusting the probe, and spot checking both sides with your temp gun...if the cool side temp is closer to 72, then I would use a larger UTH.
 

Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
Thanks so much!! I'll monitor it for a while, then adjust if needed.

I just electrical taped the probe to the underside of the uth. That's fine correct? Gravity didn't leave many options. If I do need to go with a larger uth should I do the same with the tape, or stick the probe between the uth and the glass of the tank itself? using the uth adhesive to hold it in place
 
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Carbonz

New Member
Messages
14
Location
Raleigh
I had to go for the larger UTH, but everything is fine now. Our gecko, Cheetara as my son named her, is going through shed, while still getting acquainted with her new digs. SO far just the shed on her head is gone.

I bought a couple reptile branches for her to climb around on as recommended, and they will be her later on today. Should I wait till she is done with shed before readjusting her enclosure, or just put everything in now and get it over with for her? I assume she's already stressed enough as it is, but I don't know. Cheetara is quite active at night, cruising around, exploring. During the day she just stays in her warm hide. Not sure if she has discovered her humid hide yet to help with shed. There a few discolorations on the paper towel though so I'd assume so.
 

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Great to hear!! It sounds like she is adjusting very well. I don't think the addition of branches will bother her. You will have to post pictures after her shed. :)
 

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