[ScottyB]

Setting up for a leo as of right know. Got a zoo med uth and thermometer with probe. Probe is right on top of slate tile substrate above uth and registers about 105 and the cool side is at 80. I know hot side should be around 90 not really hotter than 95. but when I feel the tile it doesn't burn me or even hurt. I could hold my hand there all day. Is this ok or should I get the heat down till its about 90-95?

[Yoshi'smom]

The probe is on top of the slate tile and you're getting a 105F reading? You really don't want it to go much higher than 95F. I would turn down your thermostat a bit and see what kind of reading you get in a day or so.
Props to you for setting up your tank before getting the gecko. I think this one of those common mistakes that people make. Not having the tank set up for the gecko before hand.

[ScottyB]

The probe is sitting right on one of the gaps in the tile. Would this cause it to read higher than the actual temp of slate? I know that they shouldn't get much higher than 95 but it doesn't burn me (would 105 still be to high?). I wonder if the thermometer might be reading to high because it doesn't feel like 105 when I touch it. Ill turn down the tstat a bit and see what happens. I plan on supplementing the heat with a black 50 watt zilla bulb I have laying around. Id like to see him/her moving around at night.

Also the Leo I'm looking at getting is about 6-8 months old. How often should I use the calcium plain and the calcium with d3. I also picked up some miner-all I (sticky tongue farms) for my other herps. should I use it for the future arrival? If so. How much?

[Yoshi'smom]

If the UTH is getting to 105F you probably won't need to supplement the heating at all. But you can still use the bulb as long as you turn down your UTH and are getting the temps to maintain a 90-95F range.
Your leo that you'll be getting is almost an adult and may eat like one. I would feed it daily when you first get it to see how much it eats. I would dust 2 times a week with calcium with D3. Make sure to leave pure calcium without D3 in the tank at all times.
I've never used Miner-al so I have no advice on that.... Sorry.

[ScottyB]

thanks for the advice Kelly. This forum has lent more than its fair share of info for me and my tokay so far and now for a leo. Will do the dusting twice a week.

[Yoshi'smom]

Yeah, not a problem. Update us with pictures when your leo arrives! Hope everything goes well!! :P

[ScottyB]

Ok. Another quick ? The humid hide should be on the hot side correct? Thats where Ive got it now. Temps are hovering around 95 and cool side around 80. So Ive got them in check. Is it ok to handle them during the day. I know that there is a settling in period and that they are nocturnal. what did you mean about "eat like an adult". Will he/she not eat as much as say a baby. How many dubias should I start it off with when I get it?

[Yoshi'smom]

Yeah. The humid hide should be on the warm side. Some people put it in the middle- half on the hot side and half on the cool side. All of my humid hides are on the warm side. I use paper towels and spray inside them about 2-3 times a week. I've never used moss. I'm too afraid and don't want to risk impaction. I've heard that leos can and sometimes will ingest moss. I've also heard people having no problems with leo's and moss. It's up to you though.
Your temps sound perfect to me. I think your leo will be just fine in his new home.

[Angey]

Babies will eat daily and adults dont eat as often, every other day.
Depending on the size of feeder, I would offer as much as your leo will eat in 15-20 minutes.
Offer the same amount the next day and you should get an idea in the first week about how much he/she will want to eat.

[Crocodidlian]

If miner-all is a vitamin supplement, then I'd dust the food stuff with it once a week. But I'm not sure what miner-all is.