First Reptile! Getting Leapard Gecko soon.

[Geckoo]

Okay, let me start off by saying that I have never owned a reptile. I do have plenty of experience with fish however. I have two 55 gallon tanks with piranhas.
I plan on getting a leopard gecko in the next two weeks, so I need your help.

List of things I have/need:

Have*
Need

10 Gallon Aquarium with wired top cover*
Undertank heat mat
Overhead light: heat lamp or just a reg light?
Reptile Carpet
Water dish
Calcium Dish: fill it with calcium without D3 right?
Warm Hide, Cool Hide, Humid Hide
2 thermometers

Also, do i dust my crickets and meal worms with calcium with D3? Or without?

Do you think I will be ready for my first reptile? I have done some pretty good research.

 

[Tommy13b]

yep thats basicly everything you need except ditch the light, they dont need it.

 

[Geckoo]

yep thats basicly everything you need except ditch the light, they dont need it.

Will the heat mat generate enough heat in the 10 gallon tank?

 

[Goons]

I think it will generate too much heat. I have a 10g and I just use 2 25W Moonglo Lights and it satisfies 24/7

 

[Brewboy74]

Under the tank heat is best. I run a red light at night so I can see the gecko. I only use it while I am up. I would recommend a rheostat/thermostat to regulate the temp of the heater.

 

[Geckoo]

Does the red light heat up the tank, or just give off light for us to see them at night?

AND

Can i just use a dry hide and put papertowels in it, and use that as my humid hide?

 

[Brewboy74]

Yes, the red light does put out heat but I don't run mine but a few hours a night so it isn't a big deal. Any hide will work for humidity a lot of people use the disposable tupperware containers, they are cheap and hold in the humidity well.

 

[Geckoo]

I was thinking about just buying a dry hide, then put papertowels under it and keep it damp. Will that do the job?

 

[Brewboy74]

Yep, anything will work make sure you get two, you need one on the hot side of the tank and one on the cool side. Some will get a third humid hide.