Changing from sand to linoleum

[ruthie_bee]

I'm in the process of replacing the calci-sand in my tank. I hope to put down linoleum and prevent it from being lifted/food escaping under it by placing rocks etc. I have a pair of heat mats (the tank is quite large) and a blue bulb, making a suitable temperature gradient. I have a moist hide and 3 other hides, food bowl and water bowl. Do I need anything else?

Most importantly, how to I make sure that the linoleum is properly clean? Can I use some kind of cleaning fluid or is hot water and elbow grease sufficient?

 

[sleepyjones]

You should have a bowl / bottle cap with calcium in.

Also be sure that both the heat mats are on the same side of the tank, you should only have one hot area at one side of the tank.

To keep the Lino clean you could use kitchen towel with some warm water to give the surface a clean.
However, you should also remove everything from the tank about once a month and give everything a clean with a suitable reptile disinfectant (You can get various brands at your local pet store, or online). Rinse off with warm water, leave to dry (or dry with kitchen towels), and replace it all in the tank.
Don't use any kind of spray disinfectants in the tank when the Geckos are in there, they should always be removed before hand, and the disinfectant should be wiped dry.

I've heard people in this forum use a solution of watered down bleach to clean their tanks, but I personally wouldn't take that risk when specialist reptile disinfectant is fairly cheap anyway.

 

[ruthie_bee]

Gotchya. Both mats are on one side to create the temperature gradient; one is a large mat which is currently under the sand for 'belly' heat, and the other is screwed to the wall to increase the ambient temperature.

When you say calcium, what format is that in? I have a calcium supplement that I put on the food which is in a powder format, but haven't heard of putting calcium in the tank before. Is it something the geckos will take themselves or should they be encouraged to injest it? You'll have to forgive my ignorance; I am very new to this!

 

[sleepyjones]

"under the sand" ... uh-oh

You should get rid of the sand and use paper towels, tile, or reptile carpet.

Sand, although it looks nice, isn't good for leo's at all. They accidentally eat bits of it when they're catching food, or smelling their environment. This can then clog up their intenstines, they won't be able to poop, then stop eating, and eventually they'll die. It's called Impaction, google the term and it'll give you a proper definition.

The calcium is in powder form yeah, you probably have the right stuff.
You just need to put some in a wee tub / bottle cap, the geckos will just help themselves to it when they need it.

 

[Khrysty]

"under the sand" ... uh-oh

You should get rid of the sand and use paper towels, tile, or reptile carpet.

Sand, although it looks nice, isn't good for leo's at all. They accidentally eat bits of it when they're catching food, or smelling their environment. This can then clog up their intenstines, they won't be able to poop, then stop eating, and eventually they'll die. It's called Impaction, google the term and it'll give you a proper definition.

The calcium is in powder form yeah, you probably have the right stuff.
You just need to put some in a wee tub / bottle cap, the geckos will just help themselves to it when they need it.

Have a look at the title of this thread, Sleepy...he's switching to tile.

 

[ruthie_bee]

Have a look at the title of this thread, Sleepy...he's switching to tile.

That's she, thank you! :main_laugh::main_laugh::main_laugh:

 

[Khrysty]

That's she, thank you! :main_laugh::main_laugh::main_laugh:

Meant to type she I promise!!! lol

 

[EchoPet]

When you say calcium, what format is that in? I have a calcium supplement that I put on the food which is in a powder format, but haven't heard of putting calcium in the tank before. Is it something the geckos will take themselves or should they be encouraged to injest it? You'll have to forgive my ignorance; I am very new to this!

It should be calcium powder without vitamin D3. They will take it from the dish themselves as they see fit, but still continue to dust your feeder insects with the calcium as normal.

 

[sleepyjones]

oops, sorry ... now im not paying attention