Set up Questions

[turtlesdaddy]

Ok at the end of the month I will have a empty 55 gallon aquarium and i am planning on picking up a few geckos to place in there. Need to know all the info does any one have a :computer: basic care sheet :book: with temp, lighting, diet, everything i need to know I want to do this right from the start. So please help me out. I am building a new cage for my bearded dragon so I have an empty 55 gallon tank with screen sitting there any day now.

Jeremy

 

[Ccrashca069]

You can find all those answsers if you just read the posts in this section.

You do need an Under Tank Heater and do not use sand.

 

[turtlesdaddy]

Here is about all I know. I have an under tank heater already installed for my beardie under his house. I have the screen top, also have one extra lighting fixture dome style, digital thermometer. Planing on using reptile carpet if that OK. need to know temps, lighting humidity levels, main food source that is prefered, how many can be keeped in a 55 gallon tank( each will have own house i make my own)

 

[bubblez825]

The preffered bedding for most gecko owners is paper towls. The paper towls are easily disposed oif and you dont have to worry about leaving any bleach residue on the reptile carpet. As for how many geckos in a 55 gallon, a 20 gal. usually can hold up to 2 adults comfortably. They say 4 to a 20 gal, but I beg to differ. If you have 4, that means 4 houses, a bigger humide hide, water dish, calcium dish, and worm dish. Try fitting all that in a 20! I say about 2 adults per 20 gallons. So about 5 adult geckos in a 50. Here is a website with additional info:

http://www.anapsid.org/leopardgek.html

Hope this helps!
Emily

 

[turtlesdaddy]

Thanks Emily for the info I will read this all up then will have more questions i am sure.

 

[turtlesdaddy]

Ok I have more questions:
1. Do you use a standerd incandect light bulb with proper wattage to desired temp?
2. What the heck is a humid hide?
3. How do you know the proper size crickets?

 

[Green_Snake]

Here is about all I know. I have an under tank heater already installed for my beardie under his house.

I've never heard of someone using an UTH (under tank heater) for a beardie. They need overhead light, because they bask. They also, unlike geckos require UVB lighting. PM me if you have any questions, and I'm sorry for repeating this if you alreadly know it .

A humid hide (or moist) is a moist place that the geckos can go to hang out and to help with shedding. Some people use Tupperware with a hole. To make it moist, you put a wet paper towl, damp moss, etc.

For geckos, it is best to use an UTH. Some people do use lights, but geckos need belly heat, so an UTH is best.

As for cricket size, what size of gecko are you getting. However, I don't know the answer. I'm new to the gecko world, and am feeding mealworms.

 

[turtlesdaddy]

I've never heard of someone using an UTH (under tank heater) for a beardie. They need overhead light, because they bask. They also, unlike geckos require UVB lighting. PM me if you have any questions, and I'm sorry for repeating this if you alreadly know it .

A humid hide (or moist) is a moist place that the geckos can go to hang out and to help with shedding. Some people use Tupperware with a hole. To make it moist, you put a wet paper towl, damp moss, etc.

For geckos, it is best to use an UTH. Some people do use lights, but geckos need belly heat, so an UTH is best.

As for cricket size, what size of gecko are you getting. However, I don't know the answer. I'm new to the gecko world, and am feeding mealworms.

The under tank heater is only on when the lights go off other wise he gets to cold I have done lots of resurch on this my beardie was having some health issue he was a rescue. cage had not been cleaned in over two months nasty he had no UVB no themoter water dish was nasty. My house gets down to the low 60's at night so more heat is need and I dont care for heat emiters.

Damp moss? Like out side, do you buy it?
UTH buld?

 

[Ccrashca069]

They make alot of differant sized Under tank heaters. You would need the largest size ZooMed makes 50-60 gallon It is 9 x 18. Or even the Exo Terra Large Heat Wave Heat Pad 11 x 17. I would use a Thermostat to regualate the heat. Leopard geckos like the ground temp around 91 give or take 3 degrees. You can use alot of differant things for the bottom of your tank. Some people use untextured tiles, Reptile carpet, newspaper, papertowels and slate. A humid hide is something like a bowel with a lid with a huge opening that you put something like moiste paper towels in. It helps with sheding. I use empty Cool Whip containers. You have to mist the paper towel as needed. I check mine every day. I feed with mealworms. I use medium sized mealworms. For crickets, it depends on the size of the leopard gecko. I use a 50 or 75 watt Infared Heat lights when needed (winter time) The rest of the time the lights are off.
The amount of humid hides, regualar hides depends on how many leopard geckos you have. For 5 I would have 4 humid hides and 4 normal hides. The amount of normal hides can change depending what you have as a hide. When I feed, I figure 12 mealworms per leopard gecko. Sometimes they eat more and sometimes less.

 

[Green_Snake]

"The under tank heater is only on when the lights go off other wise he gets to cold I have done lots of research on this my beardie was having some health issue he was a rescue. cage had not been cleaned in over two months nasty he had no UVB no themoter water dish was nasty. My house gets down to the low 60's at night so more heat is need and I dont care for heat emiters."

Awww. Poor beardie. Its great that you rescued him/her. I'll send you a link for a really great beardie resourse. I've had mine for about 2 months, and am still having issues. However, I think that he is going to be OK now :main_yes:

-Draba

 

[turtlesdaddy]

I belive that every one should try to have atleast one recused pet.

Does any one have a pic of a humid hide I think i understand just a little couise i dont want to mess up

And my goal is to place three geckos in my tank would prefer to find baby's at this point so i can watch them grow

 

[fallen_angel]

just make sure the humid hide is on the WARM side! many beginners don't realize that if you put it on the cool side, it doesn't get humid, it stays cold and wet.. although you're not new to reptiles, obviously, so you probably already knew that

 

[brcg]

Just asking correct if I'm wrong isn't HUMIDITY + HEAT = BACTERIA

I have my humid hides on the cold side 23 to 26C and al my geckos change normally, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks
Bruno