need help/advice, christmas is coming early for my fat tail

[sportbike_rob]

im getting an all new setup for "froto" my fat tail tomorrow. i want to get the best possible everything, because i want him to have the happiest home a fat tail can have. and because i want the best, and i am still very new to the gecko world, i have a barage of questions. (i appologise in advance... )

enclosures, what size would be best? i was thinking a 20 gallon because i may add in a buddy in the future. (i'll keep my old enclosure just in case they dont get along)

my first concern is substrate, what would be the best bet, and most importantly, what would be most enjoyable for a fat tail?

heating pads and thermostats? what would be a good setup for a 20 gallon? (how big should the heat source be?) also whats the easiest way to keep the temps regulated and stable?

hides, anything that looks pretty? should the moist hide be a little "rougher" to help with shedding? or smooth on the inside?

anything else anybody would like to add would be greatly appreciated if i missed any section of importance.

 

[Zbiz]

As of right now I am also designing a terrarium to house my future AFT (might be awhile till i get him). Its going to be quite realistic, live plants, real wood, ect. The best substrate i found that will suit my needs is Forest bedding made by T-Rex. Its the substrate made out of coconuts. It works well in my leo tanks as a humid hide substrate. It holds humidity really well and plants thrive in it. I havent heard of problems with impaction with AFTs although to prevent that mondo grass is being grown in the tank as ground cover and I'm also adding slabs of stone on the ground of the cage. both should reduce any problems. Oh and from what i read after you figure out what substrate your goin to use adding some clean leaf litter on top will not only make it look more realistic (they live in the forests of africa) but will supply lots and lots of hiding spots for your aft to fancy. A 20g UTH should do perfect. But In my case i have a Plant light for the day and a black low wattage heat bulb for the night, just so the plants can grow and i can watch him at night. But the UTH should do fine if your temps are still too low but a low wattage red or black heat bulb over the hot side of the tank. Good luck on this project!

Happy Herping!

 

[sportbike_rob]

i got "flukers" all natural moss as my new substrate, he loves it, for the moist hide i just made it a little thicker in that area and dampen more often than the rest of the tank. i also mist the inside of the hide itself. he seems to enjoy it in there, i havent seen him since he discovered it, every now and then he pokes his head out of the doorway tho.

pics coming soon, i gotta get a camera tho.