Newbie

[Brinky]

Hello all, I have recently got myself a lovely little female leopard gecko which I have named Cleo, I thought I would sign up and show her off to you all and hopefully get some advice and tips and also check out all your Leo's aswell
So I got her 2 days ago and I just wanted to check with you all that her setup is suitable, it's how I was advised to have it by the lady in the pet shop, but I've seen other people with different setups and just wanted to double check.
So I got a 20G tank lined with repti carpet, I have a heat mat on 1 side set to 89F with a half log hide, the other side I have a moist moss hide, i got a food dish and a water dish (although I may have to change the food dish as it is one with a lid to prevent the worms climbing out but I think it may be preventing Cleo from getting at them) I have a blue night heat lamp on the same side as the heat may and a UVB lamp on the other side.
do you think this is a suitable setup? If not what should I change? I've only had her a few days and she hasn't eaten yet, but I put this down to her settling in, she spends a lot of time in her log hide but she does come out at night as she left a little present behind.. Lol which is good as it means she isn't constipated or anything. I'd be grateful for any tips you can give me as she if my first Leo and I don't want her to be uncomfortable or anything.. Thanks in advance

 

[boa-constrictor]

Leopard Geckos are nocturnal(well not really nocturnal... but they prefer dim lighted areas like dawn and dusk and the term has left me right now), so they do not need UVB lighting at all, and probably would prefer not to have it. The blue night heat lamp however is more of a preference thing, but it is still not needed. Infact, most leos prefer no lighting at all, aside from just ambient room lighting. Another thing is calcium. This is a must, must, MUST do. Up to three times a week dust Cleo's insects with Calcium with Vitamin D3, and leave a milk cap in her tank of Calcium without Vitamin D3. Otherwise, Cleo will get MBD. Feel free to look up pictures of MBD. Its not pretty. I recommend Zoo Med's Calcium. Besides that, it sounds like a pretty cool setup!

 

[Brinky]

I'll get myself some pure calcium then! I do have calcium D3 but as she hasn't eaten yet I haven't been able to give it to her, am I right in thinking this could just be her settling in? And just the bowl of calcium will be sufficient until she does start eating?
also since writing my first post I have taken the UVB lamp out, what I was told to do was have the heat mat and night heat lamp on during the day and turn the heat mat off at night, is this okay or should I leave the heat mat on all the time so she has somewhere warm to go?

 

[boa-constrictor]

Pure calcium is best to have in a bowl, but Calcium with D3 is a good substitute. Don't get too afraid though, as long as you have a bowl of calcium in the tank, Cleo wont get MBD. Leopard Geckos know how to regulate the amount of calcium in their systems and wont allow themselves to get MBD if calcium (of any kind!) if available. And I'm sure shes just settling in. I've heard of peoples' geckos taking up to a month to finally start eating! I hope I answered your questions, I tend to ramble


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[boa-constrictor]

I didn't see the second part until now, sorry! But I've heard Leopard Geckos love consistency, so I think a heatmat on consistently with the heat lamp on during the day might be a good cycle. Personally, I have a heatmat on all the time at around 90-91 degrees. I dont have any lights on my enclosure, but the tank is in a room with a north facing window so that my leo can get a good day/night cycle without any added heat .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brinky]

Thanks a lot Boa! I've just ordered some zoo meds calcium and will chuck that in with her when it arrives.

 

[boa-constrictor]

No problem!