Getting a leo soon... any tips?

[Graystripeandmisty]

I have fully researched all the care for leopard geckos ( a lot of different sources) and finally (after 3 months) I am going to get one soon! I'm still not sure which I should feed my gecko: crickets or mealworms, and I also can't find a place to get a starter kit or something.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

I'm in the same boat you are. But reading through this forum has actually helped a lot. Petsmart actually has a starter kit. I know many people would normally not buy from a retail outlet but for a starter kit it has everything you'd need. Except the tank. But everything else it does have.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3901226&lmdn=Habitats+&+Accessories

Then the decor startup kit
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3120587&lmdn=Habitats+%26amp%3B+Accessories

These are the two I found there. Not to bad for the price actually.

I'd get rid of the rug and go with Slate tile which they sell at lowes or homedpot.

Extra fake plants I'd go to a dollar store or hobby shop.

 

[CNest]

I prefer ceramic dishes vs the rock looking ones. The rock ones seem to develope little holes, no leaking, but I felt like I couldn't clean the holes without disinfectant every cleaning. Even then I questioned if it was truly clean. I like mealworms over crickets. Crickets stink!! It also never fails one or two get out. On a side note the sand scoops are great for sifting mealworms out. I also like zoomed uth's. They are the only ones I haven't had issues with. I like to have a thermometer with a probe and a temp gun. Paper towels or slate are my preferred substrate. This is just what I prefer and what has worked best for me. Definitely not the end all be all.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

Crickets escape a lot but have better nutrition. I got a desert kit that had everything from PetSmart. It's not the one GodzillaGecko had, but it has everything except decor and hideouts. It's the basic desert kit from Zilla. Get a half log some plastic plants and a big shell(my juvenile loves sleeping in it, I recommend it a lot. It's the first place I look when I get him.) and you're fine.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I'll second the ZooMed UTH recommendation. I have one on a 10 gallon aquarium that has been on almost 24/7 for 7 years now and have had absolutely no problems!

 

[mudskipper]

I'm fairly new at keeping leopard geckos, but I have used Zoo Med UTH for years. They work great, but do use the clear bumpers that come with the heat pad to elevate the tank or the UTH will melt and break. Get Hydrofarms thermosta, too. You can search posts for "Hydrofarms". Many members use it with great results.

I second mealworms as well. Crickets smell. When you leo gets bigger, you would be feeding with adult crickets. They are very loud at night. Yeah, stick with mealworms. Search on YouTube on how to breed them. Dubia roaches are even easier to breed and take care of than mealworms. Plenty of YouTube videos on that, too.

Most importantly, get your leo from a reputable breeder. Several of them can be found in the banners up top. Many of those actually very active here in the forums. Good luck! Can't wait to see your pictures!!