New Gecko (and reptile) owner

[ljg990]

---

LOG IN TO CLOSE THIS AD   

---

As you were replying, I added questions 3 & 4. Please reply to those ?s too.

It’s the zoomed reptitherm uth for 10-20 gal 6x8 and the uvb is on the same side as the heater, yes.

[Elizabeth Freer]

It’s the zoomed reptitherm uth for 10-20 gal 6x8 and the uvb is on the same side as the heater, yes.

In order for UVB to be effective, heat & light must be paired on the same side of your setup, similar to what you're doing.

A Zoo Med Reptitherm at 6 x 8 inches is really not large enough for a 30 x 12 inch tank. I recommend Ultratherm's 11 x 17 inch heat mat instead.

However, it may be wise to invest in a 50 watt Deep Heat Projector (or halogen flood type bulb -- I'm not 100% sure on the halogen bulb. It seems like it would be too bright) instead of upgrading your heat mat.

Temperatures - A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer or a temp gun. Set your thermostat at 91*F/32.8*C.

Tape the thermostat's probe and a digital thermometer's probe together, but offset a little. Place them right on top of the substrate underneath the warm dry hide. If you use a UTH + a CHE you'll need 2 separate thermostats, because ground and air temperatures are substantially different.

• Warm dry hide ground temperature: 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) inside a leo's warm dry hide.
• Warm humid/moist hide: Place the humid hide 100% on top of the heat mat. Keep temperatures similar to the warm dry hide.
• Cool dry hide ground temperature: 70ish-75 F (21.1-23.9 C) Usually the cool end ground temperature matches the room temperature where the enclosure sits.
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) surface temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) surface temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the cool end

Leave your heat mat on 24/7 IF ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C). If NOT, during the night turn off overhead lighting/heating (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off)

You'll need a slate substrate to absorb the heat from the DHP.

[ljg990]

In order for UVB to be effective, heat & light must be paired on the same side of your setup, similar to what you're doing.

A Zoo Med Reptitherm at 6 x 8 inches is really not large enough for a 30 x 12 inch tank. I recommend Ultratherm's 11 x 17 inch heat mat instead.

However, it may be wise to invest in a 50 watt Deep Heat Projector (or halogen flood type bulb -- I'm not 100% sure on the halogen bulb. It seems like it would be too bright) instead of upgrading your heat mat.



You'll need a slate substrate to absorb the heat from the DHP.

Very good to know, thank you. Is it gonna be hard to get that off the bottom of my tank? I’m gonna buy that one now. I did hear about the deep heat projector but they seem to be out of stock.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Very good to know, thank you. Is it gonna be hard to get that off the bottom of my tank? I’m gonna buy that one now. I did hear about the deep heat projector but they seem to be out of stock.

You're welcome.

Do you mean getting your Reptitherm off your tank? It will take a little elbow "grease" and maybe some Citrus Power Goo Gone.

The best places I know of for 11 x 17 inch Ultratherms = Reptile Basics & the Reptile Supply Co based in Lodi, California for $22.

Ultratherms are reusable. Stick either side up. They are held in place with Nashua electrical tape.

1. Have you tried Light Your Reptiles or Reptile Basics for the 50 watt DHP?
2. Have you purchased a thermostat yet?

[ljg990]

I purchased a thermostat on Amazon, but I’m not feeling good about it because the temp is different from the temp gun I have. Which thermostat would you recommend I get for the UTH?

[Elizabeth Freer]

I purchased a thermostat on Amazon, but I’m not feeling good about it because the temp is different from the temp gun I have. Which thermostat would you recommend I get for the UTH?

Please continue on this thread. You can ask all sorts of questions there.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...tml#post500192

[Elizabeth Freer]

When providing UVB for shade dwellers like leopard geckos, Dr. Fran Baines (DVM and lighting guru) recommends a backup dose of a powdered D3 supplement @ 1-2 feedings per month.

[Elizabeth Freer]

UVB Weekly Schedule 154 for Leopard Geckos 0-12 months old
(with UVB)

*****It's crucial for your leopard gecko to have an enclosure larger than a 10 gallon (20 x 10.5 x 12 inches tall) prior to experimenting with UVB. There are downsides to UVB too.

A 20 long: 30 x 12 x 12 inches tall IS the bare minimum enclosure size when providing UVB for any leopard gecko! A leo will need at least 3 hides to dodge the rays when he feels the urge.*****

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) symptoms include uneven (lopsided) gait, walking on one or both "elbows", bowed limbs, belly dragging, and an underbite. Difficulty chewing should be closely monitored.

The Reptile Supply Company based in Lodi, California stocks Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3.

During this time your leopard gecko will be transitioning from daily feeding to feeding 3x per week. This all depends upon how fast your leo grows!


Feed lightly dusted prey 3x per week only.

• Monday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins withOUT D3
• Tuesday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Wednesday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate withOUT D3 (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW human brand calcium)
• Thursday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Friday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate withOUT D3 (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW human brand calcium)
• Saturday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Sunday > > no food or free choice > > no dusting

***** When your leopard gecko is taking advantage of appropriate UVB rays, Dr. Fran Baines (Reptile Lighting group's lighting guru) strongly recommends a backup dose of powdered D3 @ 1-2 feedings per month! Just substitute 1 D3 calcium dusting for 1 plain calcium dusting during those 1-2 weeks only. *****


For link 154 click: UVB Weekly Feeding & Supplement Schedule 154 for leopard geckos 0-12 months old

When your leo is about 6 months old cut back feedings to Monday, Wednesday, & Friday with maybe a mealworm snack on Saturday.

[ljg990]

I’ve had my gecko Opie for a week now, not sure how old he is but he’s small...Anyway, he is verrrrry scared of me and my girlfriend. Any movement we make will prompt him to run into his warm hide. He eats very good, never leaves anything in his bowl. I’ve been feeding him 8-10 mealworms a day, he eats them pretty quickly and he poops once a night. Everything seems fine on that front. But, I am worried about how scared he is of me and the fact that he doesn’t explore much at all, he comes out to eat and then usually just hangs out in his warm hide most of the time. He will occasionally come out to stare at us as well lol. I just want to make sure this is all normal behavior, and what I should be doing to get him more comfortable with us. I have never had a leopard gecko before, or a reptile actually. I’d really appreciate any tips and advice from all of you. Thanks.

[Hilde]

---

LOG IN TO CLOSE THIS AD   

---

ljg990, I've merged your current threads into one. They're all about getting your gecko settled, and answering your 'new owner' questions, so it works best to keep it all together, for the time being.