Subrate + UTH, hides

[audreythejungleg]

This question was accidentally posted in general care and husbandry. Rather than delete the post, I copied it over here just in case
Recently I was informed that the chopped walnut shells I was recommended are actually not good as a substrate. I switched to newspaper immediately, and that's what my gecko is on now. He's excreting the substrate that he ate, which is good, but he can't be on newspaper forever. I'll keep him on it until the chopped walnut shells are out of his system, but in the meantime I want to know what the best option for substrate is. I was also told to stop using my heat light and to switch to a UTH, so the substrate would need to go well with that.
Also: I only have one hide, on the warmest side of the tank. The tank isn't small per say, but there's only room for two hides and a water dish, with a good amount of room to move around in. I just have the one hide and the water dish, as of now. He did have a heat rock until I was told that he could be burned by that. Anyway, I do want him to be comfortable and happy. Should I get a bigger tank?
Every response is appreciated


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[Megg]

Tile is a good substrate to use. Also, please give him 2 hides. Sometimes if they only have one they won't move around to thermoregulate and will just stay in their hide, which is why it's best to give them 2- one on the cold side and one on the hot side. Also, make sure your heat pad is on a thermostat. They can get way too hot when uncontrolled and burn your gecko. What size is your tank? Most care sheets say a 10 gallon is enough space for an adult, but a 20 is always better!

 

[Kmay571]

I have two females in a 40g breeder tank. They have 3 hides (plus tons of hiding spaces due to decorations). They have slate tile. But I thing 20g is a good size for an adult. You can always add a second level to give them additional space.


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[Neon Aurora]

Considering that most breeders keep them in 16 qt tubs, I think a 10 gallon is sufficient. However, a 20 gallon is fine too.

Tile is good, or paper towels, or if you want to get creative excavator clay is cool. My boyfriend made a pretty cool enclosure by stacking flagstone.

You should have at least two hides, and one of them needs to be a humid hide. I keep my geckos in 16 qt tubs. They have a warm hide, a humid hide (on the cool side), and a water bowl.

UTHs are definitely better than heat lights. Make sure you regulate it with a thermostat or lamp dimmer.

 

[Ravana's_Reptiles]

If you want to make a cool project out of it you could get some foam and silicon sealer and create a really cool, natural rocky appearing tank im planning one out for my little bro's geckos, if you want to look into this these are some cool examples on youtube

https://youtu.be/Si_SnNRlONI
https://youtu.be/cnQ_9E3DSjk