[generalheadquarters]

Hi there,

I apologize if you have read this already. I posted this on another forum but it seems this is a better place to get questions answered regarding set-ups. Thanks for your understanding:

We will be getting one leopard gecko for our family, have done research and have decided on the following set-up. We also have some remaining questions. If you can help us out with the questions, please let us know.

We will use a 10-gall aquarium tank with hinged mesh top, a UTH on one side, slate rock or tile with brown rep carpet. Two hideouts plus one moist hide. No lamp (Per breeder care instruction and other experienced gecko handlers who find UTH sufficient due to nocturnal characteristic of gecko).

It will be in responsible 9 YO DD's room.

Questions:

1) UTH has an adhesive that attaches to underside exterior of tank. Must the visible side that faces the furniture be raised for needed ventilation? We read this might be the case. If you have it raised, how much space did you leave between furniture and pad? How did you do this? If UHT touches furniture, does it increase chance of fire? Is it that hot? Does it damage, discolor furniture? We are considering placing the whole thing on a slab of wood, with felt on underside to protect furniture.

2) We plan on sticking a couple of plastic thermometers (those round encased ones with adhesive on the back), one on warm side, and one on cooler side for ambient temp. Hygro will go in middle back. BUT, we know we need to measure the "substrate" with a probe to see what the belly temperature will be. So our question is: Can probe thermometers measure temperature of hard surfaces, ie. our slate or carpet??? We don't know how probe thermometers work but it seems to us a "probe" needs to be immersed in some sort of substrate like sand or something like that. Our concern is that we want to measure the slate, not the ambient temperature above the rock. Or perhaps, measuring the air right above the slate might be sufficient??

3) Do we need a thermostat? or rheostat? Which is better? I know thernostat is more expensive (like $112 ugh!) but rheostat which is cheaper seems like it needs more monitoring. Is this at all necessary?

4) Does moist hideout have to be made out of an ugly plastic tupperware container. Can we just use an upside down coconut shell (or hollowed log) with moss inside? Or must it be sealed very well to create humidity? If we have to use the plastic tub, can we decorate the outside of the plastic and glue gun slate around it to make it more natural looking?

5 ) Is it easier to use slate rock or slate tile? I heard we might need to use some sand to set the rock in place. Will the sand in between cracks be a problem for impaction? I am assuming cracks will be minimal. But then again, I know slate comes in many shapes so I'm not quite sure.


Thanks so much,
GHQ