[steviejcsc]

Hey everyone,
I will be getting a n. Levis next week, but I need some help with tank
set up.
I plan on using a 10 gallon tank with an under tank heater.
Any suggestions beyond that? I am thinking about the excavation dirt to build burrows.
Do I need a heat light as well?
Any photos of set UPS would be appreciated!

[bombax1212]

There are a lot of good care sheets and enclosure pictures available. Most people use fine sand for substrate and knob tails will hide all day, so bright lights-heat lamps are not a great idea. The under tank heater, with temp. control, is the way to go. Congrats on getting the levis!

Josh

[steviejcsc]

Thanks josh,
I went with fine sand, and a 75 watt black heat light

[meisen]

Congrats on your purchase. I'd be careful about drying and/or overheating with that lamp....for whatever reason belly heat seems to work the best when keeping knobs, perhaps its just how they are adapted to bask (on warm substrate vs from above). Lamps definitely create stronger air convection and usually have to be run with an open top both of which contribute to drying. I am sure yours will be OK, these are generally adaptable and hardy animals but maybe just pay a little extra heed to the substrate and keeping it moist. Maybe you already have belly heat, it was listed in your original shopping list?

Anyway, good luck and enjoy the little critter!

[steviejcsc]

I am using a heat pad and heat light.
What are ideal temps?

[meisen]

Hot spot of about 89-90 degrees with temps dropping off slowly as you move from the spot, cool side of about 75 seems to work pretty well (ie animals not spending all their time in one spot). I like using a cool hide and a warm hide so the animal doesn't have to choose between being hidden and being at the correct temps. I mist both hides but assumedly the hot hide doesn't stay moist for as long.

[meisen]

I personally do not use a nighttime drop but the animals certainly should be able to cope with it as I am sure it happens in the wild.

[steviejcsc]

I do have a hide in both sides, but with just a 75 w heat the temps are low 80 's
I live in new England and will run a heat pad and heat light.
Does that sound right?
Should I turn the light off at night?

[malmal123186]

Hello,

I recently work with a N.Levis. Our set up has sand with larger stones hidden in the sand and a wonderful rock display which our N.Levis is always climbing on. Maybe think about adding some for enrichment. Also our temperature range in our enclosure is between 80-91 depending on the time of day and time of year. We have a heating pad underneath and one light over top of the enclosure. We have also put a piece of red material over where the light shines through to always give it a darker atmosphere. I believe this material is similar to what a theater would use to change the color of a spot light. As for food he gets fed a variety of crickets, mealworms, and pheonix worms (great calcium source) on M,W,F. We also mist the tank when needed. He seems to like the set-up. Hope that helps.

[steviejcsc]

It does, thanks!
its hard to find info from American keepers