Set Up.

[Longview]

So i'm still setting up.

Currently, i have a:
10 Gallon
Cool Hide
Humid Hide ( Is Sphagnum Moss Ok? )
Water/Calcium/Food dish ( Does it matter that it is on the cool side? )
Infrared Thermometer.
2 Probes Thermometers in each end of the tank.
Heat mat for a 10/20 gallon tank.
Ceramic Tile with Reptile Sand under it.
Hydro farm Heat mat Thermostat.
I know i need a Hot Hide

What else will i need before i purchase my Leopard?

One question, the Thermostat came with a Probe that tells it when to turn the heat mat off, before i had it above the tile and it was staying around 80, so a minute ago i put it under the tile it said 100, so it turned off to stay at 95 ( i have it set at 95 ) Should i keep the probe under the tile in the sand? I used the Infrared and it dropped from 100ish to about 95 exsact after i put it under the tile.

 

[Kylerbassman]

I'm guessing you have a hot/warm hide? The moist hide should be as close to the warm side as possible. Obviously the hot hide should be right over the Uth, but like I said, get that moist hide towards the warm one. The moss isn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend using anything loose for a baby or juvie. Just use paper towels and moisten them every day or two. Your temps sound good for the hot side. Where are the temps at on the cool side? Honestly you will need to get a larger tank eventually. In my opinion a 20 gallon long is a perfect size for 1 adult Leo. It helps to give you a good gradient and a bit more floor room for hides, dishes, and for them to move around and explore. What supplements are you going to be using. I and pretty much everyone on here will recommend Repashy calcium plus. It's an all in one with no thinking involved, just dust every feeder. Your probe, substrate, and hydro farm thermostat are perfect. Just make sure that vita sand doesn't get to the surface. The less exposure your gecko has with that, the better. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

One question, the Thermostat came with a Probe that tells it when to turn the heat mat off, before i had it above the tile and it was staying around 80, so a minute ago i put it under the tile it said 100, so it turned off to stay at 95 ( i have it set at 95 ) Should i keep the probe under the tile in the sand? I used the Infrared and it dropped from 100ish to about 95 exsact after i put it under the tile.

If your gecko isn't going to be under the tile in the sand, then no. You need to have the proper temp where the gecko is going to be. (Though I'd probably knock it down a few degrees, but I don't use a thermostat, so maybe I'm wrong.)

~Maggot

 

[Longview]

I'm planning on getting a bigger tank after my gecko grows up.

The only reason i put it under the tile was the probe wasn't reading good. With the Infrared the tile was 100 degrees because it just kept heating since the probe only red 80ish. What do you recommend for temp?

My cool side temp right now lowest is 74.

Should i dust crickets? Or just leave a dish out?

 

[Kylerbassman]

Go by your infrared. Put the probe on tile where your Leo will be When your infrared reads 95 at hot spot, see what the probe is saying for temp. Adjust your thermostat to whatever level keeps you at that 92-95 range with your infrared. You still need to check temps once in a while, but I notice my probe is about 8-10 degrees different, so I set my thermostat to 86.

 

[Longview]

Alright, what should my heat ranges be for hot and cold sides?

 

[Kylerbassman]

I think it's actually good to go smaller and get bigger eventually. I have no problem with that. I just know my normal female is only 4-5 and honestly the 20 gallon long is almost too small. Luckily she is very laid back and lazy my male rainwater is smaller so I doubt he will need to go much bigger. Although if I get 1 a 40 gallon breeder, I'll have to do both because I'll feel bad good luck and feel free to ask any questions. Remember to post pics when you get him/her.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Hot side 92-95 cool side 72-75

 

[Longview]

I just put the probe back on the tile and its still not reading right. I'm gona have to tinker i guess.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Keep in mind that the temp gun measures surface temps, while the probe measures air temps, hence the difference you're getting. But since you're using a UTH, I agree with Kyle that you should go by the temp gun.

Should i dust crickets? Or just leave a dish out?

There are a couple different supplementation routes to take. Most people on here use this: T-Rex Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus Supplement Reptile Food Supplements Just dust every feeder, and you don't have to worry about anything else or leaving any in the enclosure. Some people use different brands. The general consensus is that, if you're going to leave any in a dish, it has to be pure calcium (no D3). But keep in mind that most calcium supplements don't contain vitamin A, which your gecko needs, so if you use a different brand, make sure it has vitamin A or also get a multivitamin (which would mean you'd need pure calcium, calcium plus D3, and a multivitamin), or you're in for a world of problems. And make sure to follow instructions on whatever you purchase.

~Maggot

 

[Kylerbassman]

Honestly, my Leo's love that range. I see them in all the hides. Obviously they like warm and moist more, but it's important to let them decide what temps they want which is why longer tanks are better. It's much easier to get a good gradient. Make sure hides have good place to get away from light/exposure. Try and use ledges and so forth to give them secure ways to dishes and hides throughout tank. The more secure they feel at first, the sooner they feel comfortable with new home and owner.

 

[Longview]

But if the air is 80, but the tile is past 100 isn't that going to be harmful? And i'm noticing the edges of the tile aren't getting as hot either. This tile is becoming more trouble then it's worth.

Thank you for clearing up that Calcium question!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

But if the air is 80, but the tile is past 100 isn't that going to be harmful? And i'm noticing the edges of the tile aren't getting as hot either. This tile is becoming more trouble then it's worth.

Thank you for clearing up that Calcium question!

If you're concerned about it, you can just turn it down until the temp gun is reading a temp you find suitable (I think Kyle said 92-95). Keep in mind it'll need some time to cool, though, before you read it again. And if you want to raise air temps too, you can just get a low-wattage heat bulb or CHE.

~Maggot

 

[Longview]

But the edges of the tile are only like 84 tops. I don't think it's doing enough, the cool side is as low as 68.

At the moment, It's looking like,

Warm side. 82- 95 Cool side. 68-72

 

[Embrace Calamity]

But the edges of the tile are only like 84 tops. I don't think it's doing enough, the cool side is as low as 68.

At the moment, It's looking like,

Warm side. 82- 95 Cool side. 68-72

As long as there's a spot that's warm enough, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure to put the hide on that spot so the gecko can use the heat. And like I said, if you want to warm temps some more, just use a low-wattage light or CHE (which is what I'd personally do in your situation). And don't worry about the cool side. Fact of the matter is, if it's too cold, the gecko just won't go there.

~Maggot

 

[Longview]

CHE is Ceramic Heat Emitters right?

Thanks for the help too, you posted in my last thread too, Thanks.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

CHE is Ceramic Heat Emitters right?

Thanks for the help too, you posted in my last thread too, Thanks.

Yes. I'm quite fond of them. Keep in mind, though, they get very hot, so don't ever touch them while they're on or you'll be missing some skin.

Sorry, I post a lot. I've been trying to amuse myself while I'm on break. And sorry to Kyle too for kind of taking over. Didn't mean it. :blush:

~Maggot

 

[Longview]

I was looking into them, but was going to see if i could wing it with just the UTH since the bulbs are like 30 bucks.

Kyle's been a great help too he also posted in my last thread both of you have been helpful!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I was looking into them, but was going to see if i could wing it with just the UTH since the bulbs are like 30 bucks.

Kyle's been a great help too he also posted in my last thread both of you have been helpful!

Yeah, they are kind of expensive, though you can get them cheaper than that if you go to the right place. I just bought a 60 watt for $22, so you could probably get a lower wattage for a bit less than that.

~Maggot

 

[Longview]

So you think like a 30 watt will bring my temps up to be perfect?