Oh No! More Questions than Answers! Help...

[TripleB]

OK, I went to a local pet store to see what all items I would need if I were to get a leopard gecko and now I'm even more confused that I was before I went looking. There are so many things out there that I may or may not need, so many different types of things, and so many choices that now I'm completely confused.

Will some extremely patient person help me with what I will need in my leopard gecko habitat?

10 gallon aquarium:
A) what is the difference between a 'Reptile' 10 gallon home w/wire lid ($40) and buying a 10 gallon fish tank and putting a wire mesh lid on it (total $23)?

Bottom of Tank:
B) It seems that 3 options stand out: 1) Terrarium Liner (brown or green), 2) Calcium Sand, or 3) Vinyl Tile from a home improvement store. Which of these 3 is my best bet for convenience and health of gecko?

Heater:
C) The only one I found in either pet store was the 'Repti-Therm UTH' for $20 Is there something better out there or is this one fine?

Hiding Places:
D) I need a hiding place for each side of the tank, right? How big does it need to be for one leopard gecko? Is a 'half a log' type thing ok or does it need to be more or less enclosed with one or two openings?

Helping Shed:
E) I'm not clear on the 'mossy most area to help shed' that I read about somewhere. Is it a hiding place (hot or cool side) that has store bought moss in it?

Plants:
F) Is it better (or necessary) to have a plant in the habitat or would a 'log' type item be just as good?

Light:
G) Is a dome lamp needed for a leopard gecko?

What other things do I need besides those mentioned above other than: food, hygrometer/thermometer, food bowl, water bowl?

I apologize for all the questions but truly appreciate you taking the time to make sure I provide the best possible environment for a leopard gecko.

TripleB

 

[bugkrazy]

a)a 10 gal fish tank with lid is fine
b)some people prefer paper towels i use tile but never use sand as it can cause impaction
c)uth heat is a must to help with digestion
d)hides can be what ever you like as long as the gecko has some place to get that he feels safe
e)for a moist hide you can use a bowl with a lid and cut a hole in the side place either paper towels in it spaghum moss just keep it moist and change it about every week or two
f)plants are for decoration so if you want some decor you can add one
g)no overhead lighting is needed

make sure you have calcium to dust food items and a small calcium lick i use a bottle cap with a little in it and a water dish

 

[Coqui]

A. Get the 10 gal. aquarium and save yourself some cash. Theres really no difference between the 2.

B. Either the liner or the tile will work just fine. I'd stay away from calci-sand as there have been too many incidents of impaction. The tile will actually retain the needed belly heat best for your gecko.

C. I honestly can't answer this question yet as I'm currently having issues with my heat-mat (Zoo-Med) and haven't tried the Repti-therm.

D. Gecko's prefer enclosed spaces. I use 2 coconut hides. One for each side. My gecko loves them.

E. You can make a simple yet effective moist hide by taking a GLAD deli meat container or a smaller margarine container and cut a hole in the side. Then fill it with some moist paper towel or sphagnum moss. Where you leave it is up to you. If you put it on the hot side of the enclosure the substrate will be nice and humid, but it will dry out more quickly. I like to keep mine in the middle between my dry hot hide and cool hide.

G. Plants aren't neccessary, IMO, but they make your tank look nice. I have a smaller plastic plant that hangs via a suction cup off the rear side of the glass. My gecko occasionally tries to climb it.

H. A log type item would be nice as it will give your gecko a plave to climb and just relax on. You could also use a Repti-Hammock as well.

I. A done light won't be needed if there's enough natural lighting in the room.

I hope this helps!

 

[cassadaga]

10 gallon aquarium:
A) what is the difference between a 'Reptile' 10 gallon home w/wire lid ($40) and buying a 10 gallon fish tank and putting a wire mesh lid on it (total $23)?

It may have a lid that slides out instead of just going over the top. For a leopard gecko, that really doesn't make a difference.

Bottom of Tank:
B) It seems that 3 options stand out: 1) Terrarium Liner (brown or green), 2) Calcium Sand, or 3) Vinyl Tile from a home improvement store. Which of these 3 is my best bet for convenience and health of gecko?

Either Terrarium Liner or the Vinyl Tile would be good choices.

Heater:
C) The only one I found in either pet store was the 'Repti-Therm UTH' for $20 Is there something better out there or is this one fine?

That should be fine, any of the UTHs on the market should work fine, just grab a thermostat to control temps.

Hiding Places:
D) I need a hiding place for each side of the tank, right? How big does it need to be for one leopard gecko? Is a 'half a log' type thing ok or does it need to be more or less enclosed with one or two openings?

A half log will work, but the more enclosed and dark the better. As far as size, just make sure it'll comfortably fit an adult leopard gecko. They like to be in tight secure spaces.

Helping Shed:
E) I'm not clear on the 'mossy moist area to help shed' that I read about somewhere. Is it a hiding place (hot or cool side) that has store bought moss in it?

You can take an old margarine container or similar, cut an entry hole in it, and fill it with damp moss. You can use pretty much any substrate that will raise the humidity in the hide.

Plants:
F) Is it better (or necessary) to have a plant in the habitat or would a 'log' type item be just as good?

It's not at all necassary to have any kinds of decorations. Some geckos might utilize cage accessories, and other wont care at all.

Light:
G) Is a dome lamp needed for a leopard gecko?

Not at all.

What other things do I need besides those mentioned above other than: food, hygrometer/thermometer, food bowl, water bowl?

You're going to need some calcium. Get one container with D3 and another with out it. Mostly you're going to want to use the calcium without D3, and supplement with D3 every so often.

 

[snakegirl]

OK, I went to a local pet store to see what all items I would need if I were to get a leopard gecko and now I'm even more confused that I was before I went looking. There are so many things out there that I may or may not need, so many different types of things, and so many choices that now I'm completely confused.

Will some extremely patient person help me with what I will need in my leopard gecko habitat?

10 gallon aquarium:
A) what is the difference between a 'Reptile' 10 gallon home w/wire lid ($40) and buying a 10 gallon fish tank and putting a wire mesh lid on it (total $23)?


Answer: The "reptile tank with built in locking lid" Are just more money. By all means, a 10 gallon fish tank and buy a lid that locks is just as good.


Bottom of Tank:
B) It seems that 3 options stand out: 1) Terrarium Liner (brown or green), 2) Calcium Sand, or 3) Vinyl Tile from a home improvement store. Which of these 3 is my best bet for convenience and health of gecko?

Answers:

Terrarium Liner: i never used this, However it sounds like "reptile carpet" and that is ok for a gecko but there are other things to use.

Calcium sand: How dare you say the "C S' word on here! Just kidding, However this stuff isn't safe at all! Many people on here will bash you about using it. But bottom line, its just not good for gecko because they lick it. Don't use it

Tile: that's fine, pretty easy to clean too. make sure you keep it flat though since if a tile is up the gecko might go under it without you knowing.

Out of all this? i use paper towel, easy to clean, good for the gecko, and cheap! however if you are going for something i bit more fancy Carpet or title sounds great too!



Heater:
C) The only one I found in either pet store was the 'Repti-Therm UTH' for $20 Is there something better out there or is this one fine?

Answer: i found when starting out a "heat lamp" is fine. a hardstore heat lamp might work. However i always got mine from a pet shop there Normally Painted black and kinda pricey and you need too buy a bulb for it.

a UTH or 'under tank heater" i have tried and i really didn't like it. for the fact You cant really know how Hot it is. Unless buying more stuff and something hot under a tank on a desk,table,or something that makes me think FIRE doesn't sound good.



Hiding Places:
D) I need a hiding place for each side of the tank, right? How big does it need to be for one leopard gecko? Is a 'half a log' type thing ok or does it need to be more or less enclosed with one or two openings?

Any reptile hide pretty much works. Some people use 2 one on each side, Only thing you got to look out for is not blowing all your money of all the kinds of hides that they sell If the inside is as big as your hand is fine for adult gecko. caves,logs,coconut hides the list goes on and on. its basically what you like.


Helping Shed:
E) I'm not clear on the 'mossy most area to help shed' that I read about somewhere. Is it a hiding place (hot or cool side) that has store bought moss in it?


Answers:

you can buy these VERY pricey caves, I have one and its neat looking in fact any gecko that has one Never comes out of it!! lol and you can fill it with wet paper towels or if you want to be fancy Moss. However to make a "mossy hide" works just as well. take a plastic food bin (you know the Ziplock little plastic food things you can buy to put leftovers in) Take a small one add Moss wet it down. Dont forget to cut out a hole and tada your "mossy hide"



Plants:
F) Is it better (or necessary) to have a plant in the habitat or would a 'log' type item be just as good?

Answers: Again its up to you. You can make it as green as the rain forest. or a Vast waste land. Lol whatever you like. as long as there a hide or two in the cage the gecko will not mind either.




Light:
G) Is a dome lamp needed for a leopard gecko?

Answer: this is what i was talking about before the "heat lamp" dome lamp.
i liked it Just put in a "reptile bulb" and plug in and put it on top. Make sure the lamp doesnt touch the Rim on the inside of the tank. it gets super hot and if it touches you might start a fire. Just be careful! or have the heat lamp Hover over the cage *not touches anything* Just to be save. its up to you




What other things do I need besides those mentioned above other than: food, hygrometer/thermometer, food bowl, water bowl?


Answers:
when i started out with my first gecko. i had a 10 gallon tank, a locking lid,heat lamp, paper towel, 3 bowls,2 hides, and a fake stick i think. lol


So here is a list,

10 gallon tank
locking lid
heat lamp
thermometer
water bowl
food bowl
paper towels - Or another thing for bedding
calcium with D3
Calcium without D3
Calcium dish - if you wish
2 nice hides - or more
Any other hides and stuff

I think thats about it.

I apologize for all the questions but truly appreciate you taking the time to make sure I provide the best possible environment for a leopard gecko.

Am more then happy to help you. i much rather have someone come asking for some help and asking Questions. then someone buying a gecko and not knowing what to do. so i Pat you on the back! :main_thumbsup: Any more info or photo you need to see what stuff looks like Mail me! All this info is my own and what i have done since i have had leopard geckos am sure other people might do things in another way! good luck:main_thumbsup::main_thumbsup:

 

[Barbel]

That very first time running through items in a pet store can get quite confusing!

A) The difference between the tanks is that the reptile one has a locking lid sort of installed in it. Buying a fish tank and placing a screen top on it is fine also. It really depends on how secure you need the top to be. If you need maximum security, like making sure the leo can't get out and kids can't get in, I would buy the reptile tank with the locking lid, if you want something just to make sure he can't get out, than a fish tank with a screen top is fine. You can also buy clips for the fish tank and screen top method. I believe they are around $3 for a 2 pack.

B) As for a bottom, whatever you do STAY AWAY from any sort of loose substrate! Substrate like sand can cause impaction in leopard gecko when ingested, which will most likely lead to death. Reptile carpet is okay, I have never used it, but some people say their gecko's toes get caught in it. I personally prefer shelf liner, but ceramic tile, slate or vinyl work very well also.

C) I personally have never heard of that brand, but I don't see why it wouldn't be okay. Zoo med is a good brand that I have used.

D) It doesn't matter what type of hide you get, log or rock, one or two openings, just as long as the gecko can get in and have someplace dark to go and feel safe. The size of the hides will depend if you start with a baby gecko or an adult. My adult geckos hides are something like 2.5 by 4 inches. A single adult fits comfortably in there.

E) A moist hide is necessary to help the gecko shed. I like to place mine on the warm side. You will put moss in it and make sure it stays moist by misting every other day or so. A tupperware container works best for this, because it helps to keep the moisture in better than a pet store hide. Just cut a hole in the lid or on the side of it.

F) The decor is really up to you and what you want to look at everyday. As long as all the proper hides are there, the leo won't mind whatever else you decide to add.

G) I don't think a dome lamp is necessary for a leo if you already have an UTH, UNLESS your house or the space you are keeping the gecko is kept very cool and the UTH heater is unable to provide adequate heat. That is the only time I would use both.

Other items:
Calcium supplements (with and without D3). I like to leave a mealworm dish with regular calcium in it at all times and supplement with the D3 once a month or so. People will vary on their opinion of how to offer supplements, that is just how I do it. Those little calcium jars you buy will last a very long time though!

Don't worry about asking all these questions! We all much prefer that you find out what you are doing before you do it. You will save yourself a lot of headaches this way and your new gecko will smile in appreciation! :main_thumbsup::main_thumbsup:

 

[acpart]

If it will be helpful, I have a caresheet that focuses on what you need and why, what you don't need and why. You can find it on my website: http://geckcessories.wordpress.com

Aliza