The absolute necessities?

[Kay]

So, I am new to Leos and just wondering what the absolute necessities are to house a Leo happily and healthy.

A list of the minimal amount of things needed - without going all out as I want to save that for later when I learn more. I want to start small and move up.

 

[Ultrakd]

you would need a tub/10-20gal tank for it, a heat mat, at least 1 hide, food water and calcium dish, what ever your going to use as a substrate (I would use paper towels), their food, the calcium and vitamens (Ill let the more experienced guys say what type of calcium and vitamens to get)

 

[goReptiles]

2 dry hides (1 in the hot and 1 in the cool side)
1 humide hide
1 calcium bowl
1 water bowl
paper towels, reptile carpet, or tile
pure calcium
vitamins
under tank heater
light (optional to creat day/night scenario)
10-20 gallon tank (20 is better as it'll give you room for all the necessities)

The necessities are what you're going to need to house the gecko properly. Whether you have years of experience or little, you're goign to need the same items. So your tank isn't going to change much from day 1 to day 300, unless you opt to make a fake rock background and decor or something of the sort. There really isn't a "going all out." The enclosure is basic and simple even for the most experienced, in my opinion.

 

[Ultrakd]

Yay I covered most of them

 

[Kay]

I was at PetsMart today and was wondering if this kit is any good:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752695

Includes: 2 thermometers, 1 hygrometer, water dish, 8.5 oz. spray bottle, 6" x 8" under tank heater (for use with up to 20 gallon tanks).

Of course, I'd get all of the other necessities but is that worth the $25?

 

[goReptiles]

You wouldn't need the spray bottle, and more than likely the 2 thermometers are stick on thermometers which won't do you any good; stick on thermometers and the circular thermometers are very inaccurate even if used on the surface of the tank. You need a digital thermometer with a probe. Sorry guess I should have added that to my list as well.

I'd say it isn't worth the money.

By the way the zoo med uth's are the best ones IMO.

 

[Ultrakd]

In my opinon no...... you dont need a hydrometer and you would only need the spray bottle for spraying the moist hide.

 

[goReptiles]

hydrometers are good to have, but more than likely it's the stick on ones, which don't really work...

Fluker's makes a digital thermometer/hydrometer that works great.

 

[Alusdra]

If possible wait for a herp fair to get your supplies. Then you can ask an experienced breeder (maybe from this site) about different heat pads, thermostats, etc- plus the prices are way cheaper at one versus in a pet store. I wouldn't get that kit- probably all the stuff in it is low quality- I don't know that I've ever used a hygrometer. Keeping a humid hide (easy to make out of a plastic container) in and monitoring the sheds works fine, you don't need nor want your whole enclosure to be humid- like the heat you want a gradient. Ideally you want one of the thermometer/heat pads that you can set to auto-regulate. That way it's less to worry about. Especially if this is your first herp you won't know what is the 'right' temp by voodoo experience (or whatever ) so having something mechanical to back you up is good.

So far as substrate is concerned- paper towel all the way. Cheap, easy, worry free.

 

[shadowx362]

Just a small remark on the heat pads. I have 1 Zoomed heat pad that I bought like 3 years ago and its been used and abused for all that time and it still works unlike other tape looking ones that are cheaply made looking.