New member

[trashcan]

Hello,

I'm just getting started. I've just about finished setting up my terrarium. Its a 20 gallon long. I have a reptile carpet for the substrate, a 75watt blue light to generate heat during the day. I have read that some people have had problems with the carpet threads catching on gecko feet, so I am considering whether I want to use something else. I also don't have a humid hide, but I bought some pete moss so that will be setup soon. Any feedback is appreciated!

Also I know the stand is ghetto! I will buy a nicer one soon.

 

[pkrtech]

They need belly heat not air heat.

As far as the carpet look real close at the fibers on the carpet and see if they are loops or single strands. IF they are loops it needs to be taken out. I personally prefer paper towels easier clean up.

 

[ajq1540]

Nice name by the way, the setup looks nice. Could you post some pictures of the gecko? :main_thumbsup:

 

[BalloonzForU]

Welcome to GeckoForums.net!

 

[JordanAng420]

Well, belly heat is very important, but don't forget about ambient (air) temps, those are important too. If it were me, i'd remove the log that's on the cool side and add another hide to that side. Also, it might not be a bad idea to leave some calcium in the cage for the gecko to eat at it's leisure...the carpet should be fine, if you start to have problems with it, you can always switch to paper towels.

Be really careful with that cage on top of that little stand. It's not that it looks bad, it's just really small. Make sure you don't have a giant clumsy dog (or giant clumsy children & adults) running around. Welcome to GeckoForums!

 

[trashcan]

Thanks everyone for the very quick input. I will look into getting a nicer stand, since the heater would probably melt it anyway. Do I not need the light at all?

And would the 10-20 gallon version of "T-Rex Cobra Heat Mats" be sufficient?

BTW JordanAng420, I have done that, I used all the driftwood to make a little hide on the far right side. I will get some updated pictures tonight.

 

[rawson5084]

Welcome to GF

 

[trashcan]

Thank you. BTW, I'm interested in either a tangerine, or an all white leopard gecko. I thought blizzard was the variety that turned all white, but my local pet store has one and it looks pink. The blazing blizzards look yellow.

 

[ElapidSVT]

welcome to gf, tc!

 

[trashcan]

I made the following changes:

1) Purchased undertank heater. It says 10watts and is designed for 10-20 gallon terrariums. However it doesn't seem to have much of an affect? Maybe I need a larger one.

2) Purchased a stand. This is cool because its a wrought iron stand so I could get another 20 gallon in the bottom at some point.

3) Repurposed a digital thermometer from one of my aquariums.

4) Downgraded to a 50 watt bulb due to under tank heater. However, it didn't seem like it was getting warm enough (80F), so I put the 75 watt back on it and its now at 88F.

Am I about ready for a gecko?

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Welcome to GF

 

[trashcan]

All finished! Whatcha think? I had to ditch the reptile carpet because they were getting caught on it when they lunged at the crickets.

I used long fibered sphagnum moss for the humid hides.