Hi there..!
As the title says, I'm planing on getting a Leopard Gecko shortly, and I do indeed have a number of questions, but mainly in the area of housing. I've been looking around, and while I've learned not to use sand for fear of impaction (Or, at least, I've seen enough to be weary and decide not to use it as a substrate...), I am curious as to weather or not I could use vinyl tile? I saw a few people online whom used them, and one of these people even noted how you could over-lap them in a way so they didn't stick to the bottom so you could completely remove them so it was easier to sanitize them (Which is good, seeing as how I am slightly germaphobic, despite my love for non-human animals). I quite like this idea, so I am leaning towards it, but seeing as how the tank will be having an UTH I am rather worried about the possibility of fumes. I originally though of paper towels or cloth as a lining for the tank, also, but I am worried about using paper towels because I am going to be using a old 10 gal. tank that has a crack near the edge on the bottom about an inch-square, and I want to be positive that the little Gecko will not be able to get to it- and i'm not sure how much they dig through their paper towels. And as for cloth, I was worried about their claws/toes getting stuck, as well as their digging.
I was also curious, because while looking at Google for tank ideas, I noticed that some people had cacti with soft bristles in their tanks. Is this safe..? If so, when I switch the little fella into his larger tank (Once he or she is larger and can find his way around without getting lost in one...), then should I add one into it..? Also, I've noticed that allot of the tanks I see on Google have places were they can climb. Seeing as how a 10 Gal. doesn't have much room, I was curious as to weather or not I should perhaps get one of those mesh-net-things that stick to the side of the tank, like a hammic, where the little fellow could hang out or look around if he'd like while he's hunting, or wandering about at night? Perhaps having that near one of his hides, so he could climb onto it..?
I also know that the little fellow will need a moist hide, but, i'm not sure where I should place that in his or her tank, or what to place inside of it. Is moss better than paper towels, or does it not make a difference..? I was planning on using paper towels seeing as how they'd probably be younger, and I'd be a bit worried about them accidentally eating it somehow (Although i'm not sure why, but I've been around animals long enough to know they're always going to surprise you with something...), but, if moss is better for them, and I don't actually have to worry about that, i'd love to know so I can make sure the little fella lives a better life.
I think that's about it... So, to sum that up:
Is it safe to use vinyl tiling in a tank?
If not, do Leo's dig/burrow through their layer of paper towels..? (If so, what can I use to keep the little fella safe?)
Is putting in a cactus with soft bristles safe for when the little feller gets moved to a larger tank?
Should I get them one of those reptile-climby-hamic things..?
Where should i put her/his moist hide, in the warm area, cool area, or in the middle?
Which is better and safer, Moss or Paper towel(For a moist hide)?
I apologize for such a long post, but, this is my first reptile other than a newt my brother and I had when I was five, and a snake a few years back that I babysat for a few weeks, and I really want to make sure the little fella has a long life and is around for years to come.
As the title says, I'm planing on getting a Leopard Gecko shortly, and I do indeed have a number of questions, but mainly in the area of housing. I've been looking around, and while I've learned not to use sand for fear of impaction (Or, at least, I've seen enough to be weary and decide not to use it as a substrate...), I am curious as to weather or not I could use vinyl tile? I saw a few people online whom used them, and one of these people even noted how you could over-lap them in a way so they didn't stick to the bottom so you could completely remove them so it was easier to sanitize them (Which is good, seeing as how I am slightly germaphobic, despite my love for non-human animals). I quite like this idea, so I am leaning towards it, but seeing as how the tank will be having an UTH I am rather worried about the possibility of fumes. I originally though of paper towels or cloth as a lining for the tank, also, but I am worried about using paper towels because I am going to be using a old 10 gal. tank that has a crack near the edge on the bottom about an inch-square, and I want to be positive that the little Gecko will not be able to get to it- and i'm not sure how much they dig through their paper towels. And as for cloth, I was worried about their claws/toes getting stuck, as well as their digging.
I was also curious, because while looking at Google for tank ideas, I noticed that some people had cacti with soft bristles in their tanks. Is this safe..? If so, when I switch the little fella into his larger tank (Once he or she is larger and can find his way around without getting lost in one...), then should I add one into it..? Also, I've noticed that allot of the tanks I see on Google have places were they can climb. Seeing as how a 10 Gal. doesn't have much room, I was curious as to weather or not I should perhaps get one of those mesh-net-things that stick to the side of the tank, like a hammic, where the little fellow could hang out or look around if he'd like while he's hunting, or wandering about at night? Perhaps having that near one of his hides, so he could climb onto it..?
I also know that the little fellow will need a moist hide, but, i'm not sure where I should place that in his or her tank, or what to place inside of it. Is moss better than paper towels, or does it not make a difference..? I was planning on using paper towels seeing as how they'd probably be younger, and I'd be a bit worried about them accidentally eating it somehow (Although i'm not sure why, but I've been around animals long enough to know they're always going to surprise you with something...), but, if moss is better for them, and I don't actually have to worry about that, i'd love to know so I can make sure the little fella lives a better life.
I think that's about it... So, to sum that up:
Is it safe to use vinyl tiling in a tank?
If not, do Leo's dig/burrow through their layer of paper towels..? (If so, what can I use to keep the little fella safe?)
Is putting in a cactus with soft bristles safe for when the little feller gets moved to a larger tank?
Should I get them one of those reptile-climby-hamic things..?
Where should i put her/his moist hide, in the warm area, cool area, or in the middle?
Which is better and safer, Moss or Paper towel(For a moist hide)?
I apologize for such a long post, but, this is my first reptile other than a newt my brother and I had when I was five, and a snake a few years back that I babysat for a few weeks, and I really want to make sure the little fella has a long life and is around for years to come.
