[Pigtailz]

HI i bought a leopard gecko from a guy yesterday.

He came in a 2 foot tank, heat pad, deco for the tank but it has a blue strip light and a yellow bulb light which gets very warm.

which of these is the day light and which should i use at night?

Thanks

[Mardy]

If the under tank heating pad is heating the substrate to the proper temperature (90-95 degrees F), then you don't need to have a light on at all. Leopard geckos prefer to not have bright lights shining on them. So what you want to do is to test the ground temperature where the under tank heating pad is, and see if it heats up to the proper temperature.

Light or ceramic heat emitter are usually used as supplemental heat, where maybe it gets very cold where you live and temperature drops below 70 degrees F. In which case, you may need supplemental heat to help keep the cage warmer. A ceramic heat lamp is preferred because it doesn't actually emit light, it only emits heat.

Leopard gecko are nocturnal/crepuscular creatures, so they really prefer darkness more than light.

[Yoshi'smom]

Exactly what Mardy said!

[Pigtailz]

Originally Posted by Mardy

If the under tank heating pad is heating the substrate to the proper temperature (90-95 degrees F), then you don't need to have a light on at all. Leopard geckos prefer to not have bright lights shining on them. So what you want to do is to test the ground temperature where the under tank heating pad is, and see if it heats up to the proper temperature.

Light or ceramic heat emitter are usually used as supplemental heat, where maybe it gets very cold where you live and temperature drops below 70 degrees F. In which case, you may need supplemental heat to help keep the cage warmer. A ceramic heat lamp is preferred because it doesn't actually emit light, it only emits heat.

Leopard gecko are nocturnal/crepuscular creatures, so they really prefer darkness more than light.

Well i live n the uk and its not really that warm here at the moment .... we are talking 8-10oc max at the moment. i was told to usethe blue light strip in day and the bright yellow at night. i use a heat pad under the tank which seems to heat up a little area on the ground but putting hand inside the tank it doesnt feel very warm....

Whihc light would you recommend i use as if there no point in both being there i can take one out

ill add pics soon for you to see

thanks

rosie

[Mardy]

If you are just looking to get the tank warmer, get a ceramic heat emitter. They emit heat but not light, which is preferred by leopard geckos. Just make sure to get accurate temperature readings, you can't really judge it by touching. Since you use Celsius over there, the right temperature for the hot spot should be 32.2 - 35 degrees Celsius. If it reaches that, then your gecko should be fine. If it doesn't, get a ceramic heat lamp to help supplement the heating.

For night time viewing, most people use a low wattage red bulb. Leopard geckos seem to not be bothered by red light as much, so it can be used at night for your viewing pleasure.

[Pigtailz]

This is the pics of geeko and light for you to see. Thanks for the help


Also whats the best way to help take his sheading off?

[Riverside Reptiles]

Firstly you need to get rid of that substrate that you've using. It's asking for trouble. Secondly, proper temperatures are very important. So, if you don't have a digital thermometer and/or a heat gun for measuring temps, you need to get one. You then need to figure out what your temps are on the floor as well as the ambient air temps and correct from there using a thermostat. The fluro lighting doesn't need to be used. The other bulb can be used during the day IF you need to raise the ambient air temps. It should be put on a timer so that the day/night cycle is consistent. Otherwise, you don't need a light at all as these geckos are nocturnal. That shed looks pretty funky. Take q-tips and dip them in water, moisten the shed with the wet q-tips and gently try to soften and remove the shed. It may take you several sessions to get it all. Don't rush or force it as you could damage the skin underneath.

[Pigtailz]

Can i just add i did not buy this stuff for the gecko i bought him and he came with this stuff....

I shall be buying the more suited stuff this week when i am paid...

[Saskia]

Well, you are starting well by asking here because this is a good place to look for information!!
To start, please, follow Ethan´s advice and remove that substrate, something as simple as paper towels would do a much better job at a lower risk! if you want to prevent shed problems (I can see your little guy is not shedding very well) provide with a warm, humid hide, it is very easy to do, just use a tupper big enough to fit the gecko inside, open a hole in the lid big enough for the gecko to go in and out through the hole, place damp paper towels inside, and put it in the warm side of the enclosure, he´ll use it as needed and you shouldn´t have shedding issues in the future.