Help with White lined Gecko

OsirisTheLeo · #1 06-13-2010, 02:11 AM

Hello everyone. I have recently decided i would like to purchase a White lined gecko. I am an experienced reptile owner, for i have a leopard gecko, ball python, corn snake, and a red tail boa. I have done extensive research on white lined geckos and have heard many different opinions on how to setup its enclosure. I house my leo in a 28 quart sterilite tub and he is very happy and healthy. But i know that White lined geckos like to climb around on glass. I have a 20 gal. aquarium i want to house one in and i have the knowledge on what i need for him other than if i should use a heat lamp I have heard many people say no to not use one and yes to use one. I realize that white lines are nocturnal but i also want to keep a heated and comfortable environment for my future pet. I am an avid uth user and i would plan on using one for the white line, but i wanted to know if a heating lamp would also be necessary. Thanks!

JJenkins · #2 06-20-2010, 09:23 AM

When I had vittatus I used a heat-lamp, though they would hide all day and only come out at night, so I'm not sure if they used it. I don't think it can hurt though--as long as you don't let your tank dry out and they have a cooler place to escape the heat. You might try a red-light nocturnal bulb so you can watch them come out at night.

Good luck!

MauricesExoticPets · #3 06-29-2010, 07:47 PM

I use flexwatt on the rear of my nocturnal enclosures, vents for air circulation are on the front of the enclosure one located low and the other near the top.

I don't like CHE's or Red/Blue incandecent lights because they tend to dry the air and enclosure more quickly and require regular replacement in the case of the incandescent bulbs. If I had to go with overhead heat I'd do the CHE with some stand-off to prevent the gecko from getting burned.

Another factor with the CHE's or Red/Blue incandecent lights is that the proper T-stat type would be the dimming type, on/off type t-stats will kill the bulbs much faster. You could go with a dimmer switch, but bulbs and CHE's have an initial hot burn-in then begin to degrade over time requireing constant adjustment to maintain the desired temperature.

Maurice Pudlo