new albino leopard gecko owner

[CopenGrizz01]

hello im new here but i bought a albino leopard gecko from a reptile expo in indiana. ive been wanting to get one for awhile and my dad asked if i wanted to go with him to the expo so i went and a guy had a bunch of these little guys for $20 so i bought one. i have her in a 10 gallon which i think is big enough for now shes only about 5 to 6 inches maybe smaller ill attach a couple pics. but i dont have a uth untill i get paid friday but i do have a 15watt bulb shining under the tank on one side which is heating the bottom of the tank on that side to about 85F and i have a hide there. i also have a hide in the middle of the tank and one on the cool side. i also have a water dish and a calcium dish on the cool side. and i have a stick with some fake leaves in the middle. and im using a green turf like mat for the substrate. im planing on buying whatever she needs on friday. also i plan on getting a temp gun to keep track of surface temps. but i need to know what kind of lighting she needs during the day time, i know they are nocturnal so i wasnt sure what i should do for lighting during the day. the over all air temp in her tank is around 83 to 85 and the humidity seems to stay around 50 to 60%. any help will be appreciated! thanks

 

[LeopardShade]

Welcome to Geckoforums

First off, 83-85 degrees is pretty cold for the warm side. These guys need an average temperature gradient of around 90-94 degrees Fahrenheit. All they really need, in terms of heating, is a UTH, no lights are required (excluding the possibility that an additional overhead source is needed to provide adequate temperatures). I would get one as soon as possible, as proper heating is essential to maintain proper digestion, respiratory health, and immunity in reptiles. I don't believe in using overhead lighting as a means to provide a day/night cycle when keeping leopard geckos. They are nocturnal reptiles. Bright light can be a stressor, they will not sit and bask for hours to absorb D3. They can find their own circadian rhythm from the natural light and darkness from the room in which they are housed in. If you must use an overhead source, make sure it is something that is not bright such as a red bulb or ceramic heat emitter.

You don't need to worry so much about humidity due to the fact that they are reptiles that reside in semi-arid locations. Just make sure you do provide a moist retreat in the form of a moist hide. I use a Tupperware container with a hole cut in the middle filled with moistened paper towel. The moisture will ensure proper hydration and facilitate the shedding process.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[CopenGrizz01]

thanks for the reply! i have a 75watt bulb that i did have using for the light shining under the tank but it was heating up the air temp to around 94 to 96 and i dont have a temp gun to see what the surface temp was under her hide. so thats why i switched to a smaller watt bulb i didnt want her sitting under her hide if it was way to hot. also what should the temp be on the cool side?
on friday i do plan on buying a uth, temp gun, and thermostat anything else you can think of that she needs? thanks very much

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

the cool should be between 72-83 works for mine, butiful gecko by the way

 

[LeopardShade]

also what should the temp be on the cool side?

The cool side can be room temperature, if not a little warmer. That's great that you're getting all the heating supplies, the sooner the better at this point.

 

[CopenGrizz01]

she now has a uth and a digital probe thermometer!
what should the air temp be at on the warm side?
and also the surface temp of the warm side where the uth is the temp is from 99 to 103 is this fine or is it to hot? the air temp has been around 85 today not sure if i should get a heat emitter or red light to heat it up more or not. thanks

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

the hot side surface should be about 92-96, so yes 99-103 is WAY to hot. If you are using paper towels as a substrate (as you should be,no sand) then simply add more layers till it cools down to between 92-96