Housing help/suggestions please

[chicalafreaka16]

Hello,
I am new to the forum, but I have been viewing the threads for advice and ideas. I would like some advice on my enclosure because I feel it is not 100% there. some ideas and necessities to add would be a piece of climbing wood for heat regulation and a humid hide for shedding. I am in a debate of whether I should stick to this 18X18X24 enclosure or converting to a 20 gallon tall. Right now these are the only two option available. I will include a picture of my current setup, so tell me what you think and what I can add or take out. thanks for looking
p.s.- My 1 year leo is currently experience a loss in appetite, she is not interested in food and this could be my lack of setup or the winter season
About your leo:
- Sex-female
- Age & Weight-1 year
- How long have you owned your leo-1 month
- Where was he/she obtained- craigslist rehome

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo- once/week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now.- she has not been interested in eating for 4 days now
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe.-no
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal)- solid, big, normal
- When was the last time he/she went?- two days ago
C) Problems?
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on
within the last week her appetite has declined from eating 2-3 crickets(and/or dubia roaches) a day to 1 cricket every 3 days
Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size- 18X18X24
- Type (ex. glass tank)-glass exo terra
- Type of substrate- play sand
- Hides, how many, what kind- two - one ceramic hide and one plastic decor hide/platform
B) Heating
- Heat source- top 100 watt black light/night bulb and a uth mounted on the side
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side)- heat under bulb is 93-94, hide is 88, and cool is 79-82
- Method of regulating heat source-none
- What are you using to measure your temps-digital infrared temp gun
- Do you have any lights (describe)- I have one dim bulb to simulate a day and night cycle that is 20" above hides
C) Cage mates-none
- Describe health, or previous problems-none

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much)-dubia roaches (3 nymphs at a time) or 2-3 crickets (depending on size) I offer everyday and typically she eats everyday
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, act)tong feeding
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands)-calcium powder+multivitamin powder dusted once/month
- What are you gut loading food with- carrots, potatoes, leafy greens, apples, dry dog food

 

[katie_]

1 year is right around that age that they start ovulating. I wouldnt be to concerned with a 4 day hunger strike.

 

[chicalafreaka16]

Thank you Katie for your quick response. I am not so worried with the appetite, but thought I would address a possible problem in the future. any suggestions on my enclosure?
I was thinking of getting some wood that would act as a ramp from the bottom of the cage to the bottom for temp basking. I want some suggestions on wood.
I also plan to put down slate rock where she typically eats so she wont accidentally ingest the play sand I have in the enclosure. Is boiling the slate for 10 minutes enough to disinfect it?
A little about her activity at night is she crawls on the background. I dont know if she is getting exercise, finding warmth, or finding a cool spot. I figure the wood would be earlier for her to get close to the bulb comfortably

 

[DrCarrotTail]

A week or two not eating for a healthy adult gecko would not worry me a bit. Personally I would get rid of the sand and give her a moist hide. I would also put an UTH under the tank rather than in the side (Leo's need belly heat for the best digestion) and do away with the blacklight unless your room temperature is below 65 degrees. IMO belly heat would be more helpful than a basking spot as geckos are nocturnal. I'd also provide a shallow dish of pure calcium. The calcium will also help if she's ovulating like Katie suggested.

I would bake the slate in the oven rather than boiling it to disinfect. I think I've read 400 degrees for 15-20 mins will do the trick but others who use slate would know better

 

[chicalafreaka16]

A week or two not eating for a healthy adult gecko would not worry me a bit. Personally I would get rid of the sand and give her a moist hide. I would also put an UTH under the tank rather than in the side (Leo's need belly heat for the best digestion) and do away with the blacklight unless your room temperature is below 65 degrees. IMO belly heat would be more helpful than a basking spot as geckos are nocturnal. I'd also provide a shallow dish of pure calcium. The calcium will also help if she's ovulating like Katie suggested.
Thanks for the advice doctor. I could take out the sand and use it in my garden but it looks so lovely with the enclosure. I will consider getting some gray repti carpet once I get the humid hide established.
The only reason I have the UTH on the side is because it is for a 40 gallon tank and fits perfectly on the length side. I have also had problems of UTH overheating and melting my furniture when it is underneath and enclosure. even if the enclosure has stands it overheats and peels off from gravity. I know there are ways around it but I would rather not take the fire risk and mount on the side where the excess heat has better air flow. The temp of the sand next to the UTH is 88degrees F in her hide. The temp in my room does get below 65 degrees F in the winter and once the weather in CA heats up I will be turning off the bulb and relying on the UTH for heat.
will she actually eat the dry calium in a bowl or should I dust more often?