First gecko checklist?

brettw903 · Jul 24, 2014

Hey guys, I've been reading the forum a lot and doing my research. Just wanting to make sure I have everything I need before I get my new girl shipped to me. (Mack snow raptor!!) I believe I have it all, just needing reassurance so I know I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do for her. I have

10 gallon tank (will get a 20 long when she gets a little older)
Ultratherm UTH
Paper towel for the substrate
Tubberware container for moist hide with paper towel (approx 4x6)
Repashy Calcium plus for dusting
Reptical Calcium w/o d3 for calcium dish
Mealworms on the way with wheat bran for substrate
And a warm hide.

If you see anything I'm missing (besides my gecko Lol) plz let me know. Thanks

Music City Geckos · Jul 24, 2014

Don't forget a Thermostat to control your UTH. Also, put in some type of water supply for your mealies. Potatoes or carrots work best. I use carrots because they last longer and don't stink. Also you can throw in leafy greens and other veggies to gut load your mealies

indyana · Jul 25, 2014

Yes, thermostat! UTHs get too hot when they are just plugged in with no control. A thermostat with a temperature probe and a setting for temperature will allow you to regulate the UTH and keep the warm floor spot around 90 F.

Also, a small water dish? And maybe a mealworm dish and/or feeding tongs, depending how you plan to feed it?

brettw903 · Jul 25, 2014

Sorry forgot to mention that I have water and food dishes. I have a rheostat, but my ultratherm uth has been reading around 94 on the mat and 92 in the tank. But I can definitely use the rheostat if I notice any changes.

I fed the mealworms today with a piece of lettuce. Is that good enough since theyll be getting most of their nutrients from the wheat bran? Or do I need to add some more variety?

Thanks for the responded guys!

Music City Geckos · Jul 25, 2014

Wheat bran and lettuce is good. Personally I like to switch it up ever now and again. The darker your greens the better

indyana · Jul 26, 2014

Wheat bran and lettuce will keep mealworms alive, but they provide pretty much the bare minimum for survival.
Here is a link to a post with an excellent list of what makes good gutloads for feeders:
http://geckoforums.net/f128-feeding-feeders/99818.htm#post793449

It's good you have the rheostat. You should consider saving up for a thermostat. Thermostats have the benefit of being able to adjust to ambient temperature changes in the room. With rheostats, you will have to monitor consistently and adjust as necessary.

brettw903 · Jul 26, 2014

Okay thanks for the gutload link. I have some baby carrots. How many would I put in for 1000 mealworms? And, I will definitely add a thermostat on the top of my "to buy" list for the near future. Any affordable recommendations for thermostats?

Herbiebug · Jul 26, 2014

The Hydrofarm thermostat for heat mats sold on Amazon works well. It is $40. On sale right now for $27. Not specifically intended for reptiles but i have three of them at the house here being used for that purpose without issue.

as for the carrot quantity, you can easily just do a bit of trial and error on that. Toss in a small handfull, see how much gets eaten in a 24 hour period, and adjust from there. To extend their viability as feeders before they pupate, refrigerate a portion of them to slow their metabolism, warm to room temperature 24-48 hours prior to feeding to gecko to ensure adequate gutload. Save the pupae and put in a second bin with the same substrate, pupa will hatch to beetles, beetles will breed, after a few months you'll have a self sustaining colony.

brettw903 · Jul 28, 2014

Okay just bought two hydrofarm thermostats since i couldn't splurge not the spider robotics I really wanted. I had to buy two because I rescued this handsome little man from someone I knew that had 5 geckos in a tank and was wondering why he was mean....Lol I think I've already caught the gecko flu...This is me and the mean, mean gecko haha

First gecko checklist?

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