I plan on buying a Leopard Gecko within the month. I have been researching like crazy about tanks and housing. It's pretty crazy how so many different sites say different things. So I was wondering if I could get advice from all of you on what I should really buy as far as a simple starter setup. I plan on getting a 10 gallon tank for the lil guy. Thanks and hope you all can help me. =)
Beginner needs advice =)
- Thread starter G.March1
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clemsonguy1125
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Good job doing your research, I had the same issue. Heres a guide to leopard gecko care I made the other day.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Leopard-Gecko-Care/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Leopard-Gecko-Care/
Retribution Reptiles
Stripe King
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pretty much you can go as simple or exotic as you would like. there are key items that are NEEDED in any enclosure that you do decide to use. Supplemental heating, under tank heater that takes roughly 1/3 -1/4 of the floor space. Hides, as many as you would like but a minimum of 2 one on hot side one on cool side. Substrate, pretty much anything that is a non particulate as you are starting out with leopard geckos i wouldn't risk improper husbandry issues to sand. (not saying you'd do anything improper i would leave natrualistic viv's or experienced personel)
anything above and beyond this is up to you on how you wish your tank to look like.
anything above and beyond this is up to you on how you wish your tank to look like.
maggiee22195
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I have my leopard geckos in 28 quart bins. It is plenty of floor space for a leo. You DO NOT want to use sand as substrate. I use paper towel, but you can use repticarpet, newspaper, but not sand. You will need to dust the food at every feeding with calcium that has vitamin D3. I recommend repashy leopard gecko IBC plus. If you use that then you most likely will not need to leave extra calcium in a dish in the tank. You will also want a heating pad that can cover anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 of the enclosure. You will also want one warm hide, one cool hide and a humid hide. You also need a water dish.
If you need help with anything else please pm me.
GOOD LUCK!
If you need help with anything else please pm me.
GOOD LUCK!
RAlbrecht
Gecko Medic
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Just to clear up some of maggiee's post...
- Use a supplements when feeding, one of the better ones is Repashy's Calcium Plus ICB
- Most UTH/Heating Pads are made for Glass Enclosures, a few for plastic but not many
- If you are going to use a glass tank for your enclosure, a lot of people use tile... its easy to clean and holds temps pretty well
- You should at least have 2 hides - 1 on the warm side and 1 on the cooler side
- You want to have a warm side of roughly 90, makes it easier for the gecko to digest food
- Water bowl should be on the cool side, and should always be filled with clean water.
- No need for a Daylight bulb as Leopard geckos are nocturnal
- Use a supplements when feeding, one of the better ones is Repashy's Calcium Plus ICB
- Most UTH/Heating Pads are made for Glass Enclosures, a few for plastic but not many
- If you are going to use a glass tank for your enclosure, a lot of people use tile... its easy to clean and holds temps pretty well
- You should at least have 2 hides - 1 on the warm side and 1 on the cooler side
- You want to have a warm side of roughly 90, makes it easier for the gecko to digest food
- Water bowl should be on the cool side, and should always be filled with clean water.
- No need for a Daylight bulb as Leopard geckos are nocturnal
maggiee22195
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Hahaha thanks for clearing up my post. I just kinda listed some small basics. But you sum it up very well. That is why I love leos. they are so easy! :main_yes:
Dog Shrink
Lost in the Lizard World
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They're not THAT easy. It's still possible to really get it messed up with improper temps, improper feeding schedules, inappropriate lighting, wrong food, over feeding, under/over supplimenting, etc. BUT if a person takes some time and does a little reading and EDUCATES themselves it's pretty idiot proof.
maggiee22195
New Member
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- South West
They're not THAT easy. It's still possible to really get it messed up with improper temps, improper feeding schedules, inappropriate lighting, wrong food, over feeding, under/over supplimenting, etc. BUT if a person takes some time and does a little reading and EDUCATES themselves it's pretty idiot proof.[/Quote/]
yeah, what I implied. But to anybody they are easy. Once you have all the information you need you are pretty much set. That is what I ment. To me, they are easy. My leo wasn't my first lizard but compared to all of the ones I have had, they are by far the best and easiest to care for. That Is why I love them. <3
Let me just clear up one little thing. Dusting every feeding only applies to Repashy Calcium Plus, because this is a all-in-one suppliment with very low level of D3. If you use other brands of calcium w/D3, use it sparingly (I personally wouldn't use it more than once per week). Plus you'll need add multivitamin like hertivite to the mix.
hey guys
thank you so much for the information..i greatly appreciate it =)
As far as the substrate..i have been hearing so many different kinds that i dont know what im going to choose lol.. some people say get the calcium sand then others say tile then others say the carpet lol so its confusing me..i want to make sure i make the perfect environment before i get the lil guy. i'm sure there are others out there feeling the same as i am.
as far as the daytime lighting...i also hear people saying they need it..and others say they absolutely dont lol any ideas?
thank you so much for the information..i greatly appreciate it =)
As far as the substrate..i have been hearing so many different kinds that i dont know what im going to choose lol.. some people say get the calcium sand then others say tile then others say the carpet lol so its confusing me..i want to make sure i make the perfect environment before i get the lil guy. i'm sure there are others out there feeling the same as i am.
as far as the daytime lighting...i also hear people saying they need it..and others say they absolutely dont lol any ideas?
Dog Shrink
Lost in the Lizard World
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- NW PA.
Most day time herps like dragons need UV light to produce and process D3 (I believe) Leos are noctournal and do not depend on uv lighting for anything and it usually just stresses them doing more harm than good. If you're placing your leo in a darker room with minimal sunlight you may want to consider a 15 watt incandescent bulb (the ones that go into regular light fixtures) just to help regulate his day/night cycles with the seasons. You can use a regular dome fixture for this. Be sure to use a timer to make sure you are having the on/off times consistant each day.
If you need an extra light to make up for heat shortages from your under tank heater (uth) then you can use a low watt infra red or night blue light. I keep a 50 watt night blue on my tank 24/7 to make sure my tank stays around 95, but then again I keep my house around 60-65 degrees. I also have a 75 watt infra red but when I use that my tank can get as high as 106 degrees F. A little too hot for a leo IMO.
As far as the tank goes, I opted for a natural looking tank with vinyl simulated slate tiles (Yes I'm gonna post a pic of it AGAIN ) but there are several different options. Some members have straw dinner placemats as their tank liner, others use real stone slate or porcelain tiles for their. The choice really is yours but remember what ever you use it will either diperse your heat coming from mat more (natural stone and some ceramic/porcelain tiles will do this), natural straw or cotton mats will not heat up but let heat pass right thru, and the vinyl tiles tend to make more of a hot "spot" rather than disperse heat and dissipate it thru the tile surface like natural stones or ceramic tiles will. Be prepared to use a secondary heat source or get a larger UTH if you use a thicker substrait such as natural stone or ceramic tiles.
So here is my tank:
You can see the natural looking vinyl tiles does not distract from the rest of the tank and adds a touch of flair. They're easy to cut to shape, inexpensive as most home improvement places sell them individually, and the self adhesive makes them water proof and your feeders can't get under them. So a lot of it really does depend on personal taste. Originally I wanted white marble in my tank to match my mack snow but obviously we didn't go that route
If you need an extra light to make up for heat shortages from your under tank heater (uth) then you can use a low watt infra red or night blue light. I keep a 50 watt night blue on my tank 24/7 to make sure my tank stays around 95, but then again I keep my house around 60-65 degrees. I also have a 75 watt infra red but when I use that my tank can get as high as 106 degrees F. A little too hot for a leo IMO.
As far as the tank goes, I opted for a natural looking tank with vinyl simulated slate tiles (Yes I'm gonna post a pic of it AGAIN
) but there are several different options. Some members have straw dinner placemats as their tank liner, others use real stone slate or porcelain tiles for their. The choice really is yours but remember what ever you use it will either diperse your heat coming from mat more (natural stone and some ceramic/porcelain tiles will do this), natural straw or cotton mats will not heat up but let heat pass right thru, and the vinyl tiles tend to make more of a hot "spot" rather than disperse heat and dissipate it thru the tile surface like natural stones or ceramic tiles will. Be prepared to use a secondary heat source or get a larger UTH if you use a thicker substrait such as natural stone or ceramic tiles. So here is my tank:
You can see the natural looking vinyl tiles does not distract from the rest of the tank and adds a touch of flair. They're easy to cut to shape, inexpensive as most home improvement places sell them individually, and the self adhesive makes them water proof and your feeders can't get under them. So a lot of it really does depend on personal taste. Originally I wanted white marble in my tank to match my mack snow but obviously we didn't go that route
What I did was use the search forum on this site and searched up threads about substrate, lighting, etc and read as many threads as I could. Everyone will have their own opinions and suggestions, but I went with what the majority had to say - no lights (unless wanted as a visual for viewing at night), tile, tap water vs bottled, feeders, substrate, etc. Just like everything else in the world, everyone will have a different opinion about things. Its just up to you to make an educated opinion as to what you are going to do. My gecko came from a breeder that told me she MUST be on sand (I did not take that risk...but that was their honest opinion and they had their own reasonings for it). Anyways, good luck!!
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