Basic Stuff For a New Member

[leolover23]

What do I do?​

Alright, I'm a newer gecko owner and I want to know the basics of gecko owning as some of you must as well. So feel free to post questions about anything here as I post my own!

Some questions I have here are:


What are the most important things to have in a gecko's cage? I mean I know a humid hide, cave, water dish and food bowl, but what else?

What are some things I can make myself for my gecko and how do I know what things I can use that won't harm the gecko?

How much room do you need for each gecko?

What plants (food and house plants) are harmful to geckos?

What foods and products should STAY AWAY from my gecko?

Thanks!

 

[Euphoric]

1. You pretty much got it

2. Check out the housing thread a member posted a couple threads on how to make your own things

3. Typically a 10 gallon minimum, but bigger is always better.
Three females can be in a 20, males must be housed alone from other males,
although I personally don't recommend housing them with females either

4. I have no clue but I wouldn't risk putting any plants

5. Not sure again. Waxworms and pinkies should only be occastional

 

[LeoMartin]

A reptile misting bottle is good spray them with this.

A calcium dish or a small bottlecap

A heat lamp

 

[Euphoric]

They don't need a heat lamp, they need belly heat

 

[Morph]

UTH's are better. but most people use heat lamps since they are cheaper, heat tape works well with tub racks

 

[leolover23]

I have a heat lamp and an under heater that I switch between so I'm covered there

 

[thekooliest]

I have a heat lamp and an under heater that I switch between so I'm covered there

That might make too much heat.
Make sure you have thermometers with probes monitoring the floor temps.
Also some geckos (albinos) are sensitive to light and won't eat in the light.
-Sam

 

[LeoMartin]

I use a heat lamp and he is fine
he is exploring his humid hide again.

 

[fallen_angel]

Under tank heaters are just preferred because they give direct belly heat,
but heat lamps work just fine as long as the belly temp is correct (90 degrees on hot side, 75-80 on the cool side).

As for things you can make, check out the Housing section, there are a lot of threads that talk about all sorts of different things people have made. Here's a few:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=24045

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=24141

Here's a thread that shows a lot of people's cages to give you some ideas:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=22299&highlight=legos

 

[leolover23]

That might make too much heat.
Make sure you have thermometers with probes monitoring the floor temps.
Also some geckos (albinos) are sensitive to light and won't eat in the light.
-Sam

Oh! Don't worry, I don't use both at once--I don't want to fry my baby!