Advice needed about getting a leopard gecko!!

[VickiB]

Hey everyone,

I am wanted to get a leopard gecko and i've been doing my research about everything that i will need but every website says something different, i was wondering if you could tell me if i need to add anymore to my list or remove anything.

36inch Vivarium
Heat mat
Thermostat
Lamp with a clamp
Timer
Water Dish
Food Dish
Moist Hide
2x Dry Hide
2x Thermometers
The Leopard Gecko Manual

Ive been told that if i have a lamp i dont need a heat mat and vice versa so im rather confused about what is best.

As i am hoping to get a young gecko i would just be using kitchen paper or something along those lines for substrate until he/she is older.

Would this be suitable for a leopard gecko? I appreciate any advice received.


Thanks

 

[Khrysty]

Sounds good. To answer your question: heat mat is best. It can usually maintain proper heat w/just the mat and is the most accessible for the gecko. Your thermometers need to be digital w/probes. The probes need to go all the way to the floor so you can get accurate temps.

You also need vitamins w/D3 and calcium w/o D3. Calcium goes in a small dish in the cage (a milk cap will do just fine) and the vitamins are for "dusting" or coating the feeder insects every few feedings.

Other than that it looks like you've got everything covered!

 

[LizMarie]

The heat lamp and the light depend on your preferences and depending on your home you might need both. I personally have used both and didn't like the lamp much. Maybe I'm lazy but turning it on and off was a pain, getting the right wattage for the right temp, then I had to adjust the distance sometimes to get the right amount, finding a place to clamp it too.. I ended up ruining two screen covers so I can clamp the heat lamp. I actually like Heat Mats/ Under tank heaters best because they are move of the set it and forget it type with minor adjustments, especially if you have a thermostat they're easier to deal with. You just have to keep an eye on the thermometer from time to time to make sure they're aren't any problems and you wouldn't need the timer.

The only way you would need to use both is if you house is really cold and the heat mat doesn't can't reach the desired temps. then you'd need to supplement with a heat lamp to bring the over all temps up. You should know whether your home is cool or not.

Is the The Leopard Gecko Manual, that little yellow book with a leo on it and Ron Tremper as one of the writers? If so I personally found it as a complete waste of money when all they have to say can be found online and pet shops normally over charge everything.

Paper Towels are perfectly fine. I use them myself. Some other good choices are reptile carpet, slate or ceramic tile (tiles with no glue on the back and rough textures), non adhesive shelf liner, and Nigel just bought this up not that long ago Kraft Paper that can be found at home depot. I would personally stay away from the loose sands and stuff just because there is a chance of impaction, they're expensive, and I dunno just seem unsanitary.. I'm weird when it comes to cleanliness, even in my gecko tank.

For your thermometers get Digital Thermometers with probes. Easier to read then those stick on things.

I noticed that you didn't place vitamins on you list. Do you know about those or were you just focusing on the enclosure. I personally dust feeder with Repashy Calcium Plus but keep some plain calcium in a lid in the tank at ALL times.

Good LucK!

 

[VickiB]

I think i will just stick to the heat mat, there are been many different opinions on it but the general consensus is the heat mat. Ive looked at the thermometers with probes and i will be adding them to my list aswell.

The manual you have mentioned is the one that i was going to get but if its not going to be worthwhile i will just leave it, i have got alot of information of the net and with the help of people like yourself i will be fine.

The vitamins side of it i understand as ive been reading up on that aswell so i am just focusing on the enclosure at the moment.

Thanks for your advice its really appreciated.

Vicki