Leopard Gecko enclosure help!!!

[Aotz]

Hello, I recently just bought a blazing leopard gecko at a local pet store and I'm confused on what I should do with it. I live in South Florida where it gets really hot, but it's winter so it obviously doesn't get as hot. I have researched a lot about leopard geckos but I still need help. Right now I have the leopard gecko inside on of these Amazon.com: Brand New, OCEANIC SYSTEMS, INC. - ZILLA DESERT STARTER KIT (SIZE 10) (REPTILE PRODUCTS - REPTILE - STARTER KITS): Pet Supplies which I'm now regretting buying because I don't like it at all. I have a 15 gallon that I'd like to put it in with a heat pad. I was originally going to buy a heat pad but the worker at the pet store said it can burn the baby gecko which kind of shocked me because I've never heard of that before. I've been reading about thermostats that can control the temperature which would be awesome, and also those digital thermometers that are laser pointed. Other things I'm confused about is I was reading that you should have a small bowl for calcium powder, but I've read leo's can overdose on vitamins and my calcium powder has vitamind D3 in it... Is sprinkling crickets/mealworms with calcium powder enough? Or do I need calcium powder with no vitamins also in the tank? Another thing is I like to watch tv as i sleep, it helps me fall asleep, and it's a 40 inch HDTV, would the light and noise disturb my leo during the night? Any other additional tips or requirments are greatly apprecitated. Sorry for all of the text, I'm just unsure of what I need to do with my leo and I want to have the best setup I can, thank you for your time! -Josh

 

[proBie3]

Hello, I recently just bought a blazing leopard gecko at a local pet store and I'm confused on what I should do with it. I live in South Florida where it gets really hot, but it's winter so it obviously doesn't get as hot. I have researched a lot about leopard geckos but I still need help. Right now I have the leopard gecko inside on of these Amazon.com: Brand New, OCEANIC SYSTEMS, INC. - ZILLA DESERT STARTER KIT (SIZE 10) (REPTILE PRODUCTS - REPTILE - STARTER KITS): Pet Supplies which I'm now regretting buying because I don't like it at all. I have a 15 gallon that I'd like to put it in with a heat pad. I was originally going to buy a heat pad but the worker at the pet store said it can burn the baby gecko which kind of shocked me because I've never heard of that before. I've been reading about thermostats that can control the temperature which would be awesome, and also those digital thermometers that are laser pointed. Other things I'm confused about is I was reading that you should have a small bowl for calcium powder, but I've read leo's can overdose on vitamins and my calcium powder has vitamind D3 in it... Is sprinkling crickets/mealworms with calcium powder enough? Or do I need calcium powder with no vitamins also in the tank? Another thing is I like to watch tv as i sleep, it helps me fall asleep, and it's a 40 inch HDTV, would the light and noise disturb my leo during the night? Any other additional tips or requirments are greatly apprecitated. Sorry for all of the text, I'm just unsure of what I need to do with my leo and I want to have the best setup I can, thank you for your time! -Josh

I'd certainly use a heat pad for belly heat since the leo needs it for proper digestion and use a thermostat to regulate it, I currently use a Zilla Thermostat but am having problems with it and will be trying the hydrofarm stat.

I keep a milk jug cap filled with Calcium without D3 in the terrarium and sprinkle mealies and crickets with Repashy Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus. I normally can't find the Calcium w/o D3 in pet stores so I order mine online.

My personal preference I would go with the bigger tank. I just like the idea of having more floor space for the leo to explore and to be able to use more decor.

 

[Aotz]

Thanks so much for the reply, I'm definitely gonna try to refund this thing and just use my 15 gal with a heating pad. And I'm gonna buy some calcium powder without any vitamins. Now should I use the calci powder with the vitamin d3 on the food i give it? or should i buy some with more vitamins

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Hello, I recently just bought a blazing leopard gecko at a local pet store and I'm confused on what I should do with it. I live in South Florida where it gets really hot, but it's winter so it obviously doesn't get as hot. I have researched a lot about leopard geckos but I still need help. Right now I have the leopard gecko inside on of these Amazon.com: Brand New, OCEANIC SYSTEMS, INC. - ZILLA DESERT STARTER KIT (SIZE 10) (REPTILE PRODUCTS - REPTILE - STARTER KITS): Pet Supplies which I'm now regretting buying because I don't like it at all.

Starter kits are mostly a waste of money. They seem like a nice idea, but you can make a better-suited setup for much cheaper. Also, the analog temp/humidity gauge is useless, so you can just toss that. You'll want to buy at least one (though two is better) digital thermometers with probes to put on the floor of the tank on the cool and warm sides. A temp gun would be a good idea too. What are your temps at now?

I have a 15 gallon that I'd like to put it in with a heat pad. I was originally going to buy a heat pad but the worker at the pet store said it can burn the baby gecko which kind of shocked me because I've never heard of that before.

Note: NEVER listen to the pet store people. They might mean well, but they're almost never experts and are more interested in making a quick buck off you than giving you the best information to care for your reptile. If you have any questions, people here are very helpful.

I've been reading about thermostats that can control the temperature which would be awesome, and also those digital thermometers that are laser pointed.

Yes, you should get a thermostat for a UTH just to be safe, but as long as the gecko doesn't have access to the glass itself, I wouldn't be concerned about a burn. The biggest threat would be cracked glass from uneven heating causing a stress fracture.

Other things I'm confused about is I was reading that you should have a small bowl for calcium powder, but I've read leo's can overdose on vitamins and my calcium powder has vitamind D3 in it... Is sprinkling crickets/mealworms with calcium powder enough? Or do I need calcium powder with no vitamins also in the tank?

Probie's advice on this is good. Most people here will recommend Repashy's Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus because it's designed to use every day without having to worry about overdosing.

Another thing is I like to watch tv as i sleep, it helps me fall asleep, and it's a 40 inch HDTV, would the light and noise disturb my leo during the night?

I use my laptop before I go to sleep, and that doesn't seem to bother my leo, though I turn down the sound and the lighting to decrease that. As long as it's not super bright or loud, I don't think it'd be an issue. If you can set it to turn off at a certain time instead of it being on all night, though, that'd be ideal.

Any other additional tips or requirments are greatly apprecitated. Sorry for all of the text, I'm just unsure of what I need to do with my leo and I want to have the best setup I can, thank you for your time! -Josh

The reptile carpet should have one side that's smoother than the other. I'd suggest flipping it so the smooth side is up, as occasionally they've been known to get their toes caught in the threads.

Also, make sure you have enough hides. You need one on the warm side like B&B said, as well as one on the cool side, and a humid hide in the middle (wet paper towels work fine).

As a note, if you plan on getting any more reptiles, you should have a setup already made before you get the animal so you don't have to scramble to figure it out and get all the stuff while the animal is kept in improper conditions. Not trying to sound mean, just something to keep in mind for next time.

~Maggot

 

[B&B Geckos]

Get the small heating pad. You only need to heat 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottom. Place the hide on the warm side, the gecko will move about to regulate its own temp. Most supplies are found cheaper online. Try not to handle your gecko for a few days until it gets used to its new enclosure.

 

[Aotz]

Starter kits are mostly a waste of money. They seem like a nice idea, but you can make a better-suited setup for much cheaper. Also, the analog temp/humidity gauge is useless, so you can just toss that. You'll want to buy at least one (though two is better) digital thermometers with probes to put on the floor of the tank on the cool and warm sides. A temp gun would be a good idea too. What are your temps at now?
Note: NEVER listen to the pet store people. They might mean well, but they're almost never experts and are more interested in making a quick buck off you than giving you the best information to care for your reptile. If you have any questions, people here are very helpful.

Yes, you should get a thermostat for a UTH just to be safe, but as long as the gecko doesn't have access to the glass itself, I wouldn't be concerned about a burn. The biggest threat would be cracked glass from uneven heating causing a stress fracture.
Probie's advice on this is good. Most people here will recommend Repashy's Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus because it's designed to use every day without having to worry about overdosing.

I use my laptop before I go to sleep, and that doesn't seem to bother my leo, though I turn down the sound and the lighting to decrease that. As long as it's not super bright or loud, I don't think it'd be an issue. If you can set it to turn off at a certain time instead of it being on all night, though, that'd be ideal.

The reptile carpet should have one side that's smoother than the other. I'd suggest flipping it so the smooth side is up, as occasionally they've been known to get their toes caught in the threads.

Also, make sure you have enough hides. You need one on the warm side like B&B said, as well as one on the cool side, and a humid hide in the middle (wet paper towels work fine).

As a note, if you plan on getting any more reptiles, you should have a setup already made before you get the animal so you don't have to scramble to figure it out and get all the stuff while the animal is kept in improper conditions. Not trying to sound mean, just something to keep in mind for next time.

~Maggot

Thanks so much for all the information, I have moist hide box right now with paper towel, I made it with a little glad plastic box, I have this supposedly all natural terrarium moss by zoo med, wondering if that would be good? I still am a little unclear about some things, is it okay to use purified water for the water bowl? It is the same water that I drink lol. And I'm looking at the zoo med med reptitherm under tank heater is that a good one or are there betters, I'm assuming that the small is a good size for my 15 gallon tank. And last thing I wanted to know, my dad has one of those temp gun thermometers that he uses on his car engine to check the temperature on various parts, I was wondering if that could be used for my tank as I see why not. Sorry for all the questions, I'm just being a little OCD and want my gecko to have a wonderful life, but please don't feel obliged to answer me. Thanks!!!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Thanks so much for all the information, I have moist hide box right now with paper towel, I made it with a little glad plastic box, I have this supposedly all natural terrarium moss by zoo med, wondering if that would be good?

Yeah, you can use that. The best moist hide substrate is Eco Earth, but it's not so important that you need to go buy a brick of it. It holds moisture better though, so just make sure the moss is kept moist.

I still am a little unclear about some things, is it okay to use purified water for the water bowl? It is the same water that I drink lol.

Yep. That would be better than tap water.

And I'm looking at the zoo med med reptitherm under tank heater is that a good one or are there betters,

As far as I'm aware, there aren't any that are better than others. They're all pretty much the same. I believe Zoo Med is the most commonly used one.

I'm assuming that the small is a good size for my 15 gallon tank.

Probably. Just make sure that you use the little rubber things that come with it to raise the tank so there's a gap under the tank, or you'll end up with a build-up of heat that could crack the glass.

And last thing I wanted to know, my dad has one of those temp gun thermometers that he uses on his car engine to check the temperature on various parts, I was wondering if that could be used for my tank as I see why not.

I would imagine so, as long as it doesn't have anything on it like gasoline that would create fumes when you use it. Do you know what the brand is?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just being a little OCD and want my gecko to have a wonderful life, but please don't feel obliged to answer me. Thanks!!!

That's what we're here for. We'd much rather have someone ask a million questions than not enough and have something go wrong. Kudos to you for seeking knowledge.

~Maggot

 

[NikkiC223]

See, this is why I love coming on here because everyone is so helpful! Thanks everyone! Also, what substrate are you using? Since he is young and you bought the package, I'm assuming repti carpet? I've noticed a lot of people on here, including myself have switched to slate tile for the flooring. I also live in Florida (Orlando) so I understand the temp changes. Slate seems to really heat up nicely with my under tank heater and ceramic heat emitter. With all the help on here, I'm sure you will have a great set up!

 

[Aotz]

See, this is why I love coming on here because everyone is so helpful! Thanks everyone! Also, what substrate are you using? Since he is young and you bought the package, I'm assuming repti carpet? I've noticed a lot of people on here, including myself have switched to slate tile for the flooring. I also live in Florida (Orlando) so I understand the temp changes. Slate seems to really heat up nicely with my under tank heater and ceramic heat emitter. With all the help on here, I'm sure you will have a great set up!

Yes, right now I'm using repti carpet, but when I get the new tank set up I was thinking of just using paper towels till I get slate tile or rock or something. Funny story, when I went to the pet store 2 ladies were helping me and I asked one of them if they have slate rock and she said she didn't know and then picked up this big flat rectangle of tree it looked like and said I could use this if it fit. And everyone has been incredibly helpful to me! I'm so glad I signed up on this forum. I went from being utterly confused on my purchase to knowing exactly what I need =)