We just purchased a 3 year old gecko off of craigslist on Sunday. I've since learned from this forum that the previous owner did a few things right and a few things wrong.
His tank had not been cleaned in a year and there was a whole cricket ecosystem under the sand - the crickets lived with the gecko and he was not fed anything else, I do think vitamins were occasionally dusted. I cleaned and wiped out the entire tank and replaced the sand bought for leopard geckos at the pet store (which I have also learned isn't the best so I will be looking for tile/slate soon).
He did not have any hides (just under leaves and such).
Since finding this forum, I've created a humid hide (tupperware) and a warm hide (cardboard) and there is a 3rd shelf type one on the cool side of his tank. We have offered mealworms in a bowl - calcium in the bottom. We got rid of his over tank purple light and started turning off his red light for the most part - I am not sure we need it? I bought a probe thermometer and his UTH keeps the warm side surface sand right around 93-96 and his cool side is around 74-75.
He has not eaten anything or pooped since bringing him home (Sunday). Since I created the humid hide, he spends most of his time in there - although I have caught him moving around at night. He's good about being handled and we handle him a few minutes a day. He's actually very sweet.
Do I need to worry about the eating? How long do mealworms stay good for? Should I be doing anything different (other than the sand)? I am posting pictures of his 20 gal long tank. The warm side is on the right and the cool on the left. His hides are hidden and it is deceiving there is actually walk around room in there, I am thinking about changing out the plants. The food dish is in the back cool corner.
I really appreciate this forum. I've been soaking up info, I especially enjoy looking at everyone's tank designs - I want him to be healthy and happy for a long time.
His tank had not been cleaned in a year and there was a whole cricket ecosystem under the sand - the crickets lived with the gecko and he was not fed anything else, I do think vitamins were occasionally dusted. I cleaned and wiped out the entire tank and replaced the sand bought for leopard geckos at the pet store (which I have also learned isn't the best so I will be looking for tile/slate soon).
He did not have any hides (just under leaves and such).
Since finding this forum, I've created a humid hide (tupperware) and a warm hide (cardboard) and there is a 3rd shelf type one on the cool side of his tank. We have offered mealworms in a bowl - calcium in the bottom. We got rid of his over tank purple light and started turning off his red light for the most part - I am not sure we need it? I bought a probe thermometer and his UTH keeps the warm side surface sand right around 93-96 and his cool side is around 74-75.
He has not eaten anything or pooped since bringing him home (Sunday). Since I created the humid hide, he spends most of his time in there - although I have caught him moving around at night. He's good about being handled and we handle him a few minutes a day. He's actually very sweet.
Do I need to worry about the eating? How long do mealworms stay good for? Should I be doing anything different (other than the sand)? I am posting pictures of his 20 gal long tank. The warm side is on the right and the cool on the left. His hides are hidden and it is deceiving there is actually walk around room in there, I am thinking about changing out the plants. The food dish is in the back cool corner.
I really appreciate this forum. I've been soaking up info, I especially enjoy looking at everyone's tank designs - I want him to be healthy and happy for a long time.
