Question for anyone who might know

[camoprincess]

I'm new to the whole leopard gecko world. I've owned turtles, an iguana, and a water dragon but never any kind of gecko. I have a 10 gallon tank at the moment. I haven't went to pick out a gecko yet because I have not got the rest of the stuff I need and I'm not sure on one question. Ok so here it is...how long after I get the tank all setup does it take before I can put the little guy (or girl) in it? I don't want to do anything wrong and mess it up. I already have the light and everything set up just not the bowls or anything else yet. Any help is greatly appreciated since I'm a noob lol. Oh and also should I pick up vitamins and calcium for the little one? I was told they don't need them until they are older but want to make sure.

 

[Kjenkins]

As soon as you have your tank set up and the humidity right your good to go. Make shur you have a moist hide to I put moss in mine and spray it every other day. You do need a calcium supplement and a vitamin supplement. I personally use Osteo form sa and vionate but you can find similar thing a your local pet store that you don't have to order on line. I keep my supplements in my worm bowl and gut load my worms as well. Your gecko will actually lick the powder as well. Any other Q's feel free to ask I will try to help you.

 

[camoprincess]

Thank you so much. I didn't wanna risk buying one and it dying on me the same day if I did something wrong. I actually do have another question. Can I use heat lamps like alternate the lights every 12 hours until I get a under tank heating or is that a bad idea?

 

[Kjenkins]

You can use heat lamps but they really need a hot spot for there belly. That is what the heat pad provides for them. Truth is I don't even use heat lamps my house stays about perfect for them. Now that is with the exception of winter of course. There were a few times I needed just a lil more heat for them. My house stays around 75 and the room that I have them in stays a lil warmer because of all the heat given off the heat pads and felx watt on my rack. So as long as the room you keep him/her in stays that temp you should be fine with out lamps unless its cold. I keep just normal bulbs in my lamps so I have some kind of light so I can see them. I than just simply switch to a heat bulb when needed. A small zoo med heat pad is 15.00 at the pet store that's all you really need. Anything else I can do for you?

 

[camoprincess]

Nope I think that's all my questions for now lol but thank you so much for answering them .

 

[tov_13]

when you get you tank set up, then you can put your gecko in, you don have to wait. some guy on YouTube said that when you get you gecko, to put it in the tank with food and a little water, and then leave it, and don't bug it or touch it or give it more food or water for like a week. he is an expert so, yeah, just trying to be helpful...

 

[Kjenkins]

Being helpful is always good but you don't have to do that. I bring mine home and put them in there in-closer and feed with everyone else. I start handling the next day that's long enough for them to figer out were things are. I handle my geckos some one the same day I bring them home just to make shur I didn't miss a problem when I purchased it then put them up to let them relax. Leo's are pretty hardy critters. Also you tube can be great or lead you in the wrong direction be careful how you listen to or at least verify what your learning with some one on here or do your own research. We all are always glade to help out. Welcome to the site I hope you enjoy it.