getting some gecko's

[vapour]

Hey all, i found this forum yesterday, and been reading through the posts. I am looking for a little feedback here.

I have wanted a lizard for some time now, and I was just given a HUGE tank, not sure how many gallons, but its probably about 4 feet by 3 feet.

The tank is netted... its black .. i really like the look of it more than the glass tanks .. but will this be suitable ... it is definatly for reptiles.. just wondering if anyone else here uses this type of tank.

From what I have researched I know I will need an underneath heating pad, light .. what kind of bulb should I get ? 2 thermometers, 1 at one end of the tank whch should be around 90 degrees, and the other at the other end which can be room temp (that will be around 75 here in southern CA)

I will be getting substrate.. to layer the bottom of the cage .. any specific substrate I should get ?

Then obviously a water bowl, some hide aways, climbing things .. what is the moss thing for ?

I will aso put decorative fake plants in .. is this OK ?

Will I ever have to turn off the heating pad ? or will it always stay at 90 degrees ? if I have to turn it off should I get a thermostat ?


I will be getting 2 female geckos, I want babies.. but I heard u cant tell their sex until they are older .. is this true ?

OK now about feeding. I will be gettng a cricket cage, and when I buy the crickets I will keep them in there for a day or so.. feed them oatmeal or potatoes (sometimes changng what i feed them) and coating them in calcium ... any other kind of vitamin I should use ?

Now .. how often will I need to feed them ? 2 leopard geckos .. how many crickets a day ? or every other day ? and how many meal worms to go with the crickets.

Before I get my lizards I will make sure I have learned how to regulate the temperature of the tank and take care of all that.

Im moving in just over a week, once Ive settled in I will set up the cage and then later buy the lizards. I will keep u updated.

ANything else I should know ?

Thanks all

 

[nats]

The cage you have is for arboreal (tree-dwelling) animals like chameleons, it's not suited for ground-dwelling lizards like leopard geckos.

BTW, welcome to the forum

 

[rubym]

I have a smaller cage like that. I use it for my cresty when he has to go to "grandmas" house for a week- end visit. I haven't heard of anyone using one for a leo. Best wishes on getting a leopard and welcome to the forum.

 

[vapour]

thanks so much for your replies and welcome to this forum.

I guess I will invest in a new tank then. I dont want to put the gecko in something that isnt suitable.

Also I just heard its harder to keep the heating right in one of the tanks i have due to it being open.

Ill prob get a smaller tank at first while they are babies, then go out later and get a bigger one... man this thing can get expensive . but worth it.

 

[nats]

thanks so much for your replies and welcome to this forum.

I guess I will invest in a new tank then. I dont want to put the gecko in something that isnt suitable.

Also I just heard its harder to keep the heating right in one of the tanks i have due to it being open.

Ill prob get a smaller tank at first while they are babies, then go out later and get a bigger one... man this thing can get expensive . but worth it.

Hmmmm, using your logic, your actually spending MORE money then you need to!! :main_yes:
Why dont you just get a 20gal long and let your leo grow into it?
That way, it's the only one you ever need to buy! :main_yes: