First Leopard Gecko Setup Help

[mark.]

Hi Guys,

I am trying to get my first set up for my first leopard gecko.

I already have a tank that I was to use. Its a Fluval Roma 90.
The tank measures 60x35x45cm which I believe is a good size for a single leopard gecko?

I have been looking at heat mats and I have read that I should get one that's either 1/3 or 1/2 of the tank. It looks like Exo Terra for a Exo Terra Heatwave Desert Mat which comes in 20x20cm & 26x28cm which would both work. Which size would be the best 1/2 or 1/3 of the size of tank?
It also doesn't say what the temp is of these mats? I believe the right temp for the hot side is about 30c?

Can anyone also suggest a good thermostat to get for this heat mat?

I have more questions about the rest of my setup but didn't want to ask them all at once

.

Any advice would be great.
Cheers,
Mark

 

[Ink'd Out Geckos]

I go with 1/3rd of my tubs heated. Make sure you use a good thermostat. I have used several different types. I love proportional thermostats vs the on/off type. It's easier to keep a steady temp. I keep my hot side 92 to 94. The ambient temp fluctuates depending on the room but the geckos regulate their body temp on their own. They know what they need. Make sure you have a hot humid hide and a cool side hide. Any other questions ask away.

 

[mark.]

excellent thank you very much for your answer.
I will go with the Exo Terra Heatwave Desert Mat 20cmx20cm.

Do you have any suggestions for a good thermostat?
I was looking at the Lucky Reptile Thermo Control II, would that be a good one?

Do you suggest moss or coconut fibre for the humid hide?
Also do I give them the humid hide all the time or just when they are sheading?

I assume the only lighting for them is for decoration as they get their heat from the heat pad?
So does the lighting I use matter?
Is there some kind of lighting I can use for night lighting so I can see them when they are out at night which I assume they will be as they are nocturnal?

 

[Ink'd Out Geckos]

The lighting is basically for you. They dont need anything additional. Some people use infared ( I think thats how its spelled ) which is a low red light used to view them at night. Not too sure because I dont have anything else on them. I dont like moss in my hide because of fungus and bacteria, which seem to grow more easily in moss. I personally use paper towel folded in all of my hides. I just keep that moist. The better of the two choices would be the coco fiber. I believe it is more naturally bacteria resistant. For just one heat pad, and I may catch flack for this but I would just use a simple on/off style thermostat or wire in a dimmer switch which is a bit more advanced. You dont need to spend tons on a thermostat for just one setup. Now if you were running something on a larger scale in the future I would recommend a proportional thermostat. I am not too familiar with the tank you are using but just remember they are terrestrial geckos and prefer more ground room, so height isnt that important.

OH before I forget sometimes when using additional lighting in a tank setup it CAN dry out the air a bit if the bulb is always on. That can lead to difficult sheds sometimes but youll have your humid hide and I dont see it being too much of a problem if you just use it for occasional viewing. Just thought I would fill you in on it. I think that covered those questions... hope that helped

 

[Neon Aurora]

I agree that on/off thermostats or regular light dimmers are fine for one set up. Only a breeding rack really needs to be run on an expensive proportional thermostat.

I also wanted to add that although it was thought that reptiles couldn't see the light produced by the "infrared" bulbs, there seems to be some evidence that they can. Probably because those lights don't just use infrared, but also give off visible light. The blue ones might be better, but I would say turn the lights off when you're not viewing your gecko to make sure your gecko gets darkness at night.