1st time Leo owner needs help!

K

kajaroscak

New Member
Messages
5
Location
US
First time reptile owners here...
We just got a leopard gecko. We have a 10 gallon under the tank heating pad. We also have a uvb light and a 50 watt basking bulb.
So a few questions:
Do we need the 50 watt bulb or is the UTH enough?
Also do we keep the UTH on 24 hours?
Here is our set up so far...going to make a humid hide tomorrow. The UTH is under the log.
1a424aafda4892f52da803026577fb06.jpg


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Neon Aurora

Neon Aurora

New Member
Messages
1,376
Location
New Mexico
UVB is not necessary for leopard geckos and can be dangerous. It would be best to remove it.

The UTH should be on 24 hours a day, but should be regulated by a thermostat or light dimmer. You also need either a digital thermometer with a probe or an infrared temperature gun to measure the floor surface temperature. Above the UTH, it should be 90 F. A light won't be necessary. Any extra heat light on a 10 gallon is going to make it too hot.

A humid hide is a must.

Are you dusting your feeders with calcium and vitamin supplements? Do you have a dish for calcium in the tank?
 
K

kajaroscak

New Member
Messages
5
Location
US
Thank you for the quick reply. We just got him today so no we have not done any vitamin supplements or calcium as of yet. Just was focused on getting a good set up with the heat and lights. Plan to make a trip to get a thing to regulate the UTH. So for tonight I just turned it off.

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K

kajaroscak

New Member
Messages
5
Location
US
I hear so much conflicting things about the uvb. We were told by 3 different pet stores it was needed. And so many conflicting things online as well about what lights and heat you need etc. Very confusing. That's why I am glad I found this forum to help guide us as we begin.

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Neon Aurora

Neon Aurora

New Member
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1,376
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New Mexico
Honestly, pet stores so often have no idea what they're doing.

This forum is an excellent resource. =)

Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they don't usually get much sunlight at all. Animals synthesize vitamin D from UV light. Instead of using UV light for leopard geckos, we just supplement vitamin D on their food. UV lights can cause burns and damage their sensitive eyes.
 
K

kajaroscak

New Member
Messages
5
Location
US
Thank you again! I will take back the uvb and get a supplement

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