[GraphiK]

Hello, I recently adopted two geckos (1 leopard, the other I am unsure of it's type) from a friend who had little to do with taking care of them. The reddish brown gecko I have is missing a large amount of the tips of it's toes as well as seems either bloated or simply fat and extremely sluggish in comparison to the leopard. I am not positive exactly on what I need to do for there enclosure, at the moment I am keeping them both in a 20 gallon tank (both geckos are female) I will be picking up a ceramic heat emitter tomorrow, this evening I have no way of heating the tank with using light bulbs which seems as if it would be more of a bother to them than anything. I have read elsewhere that I should have vitamin powder sitting in the tank in something like a bottle cap? If this is true can someone provide pictures of how there set-up is exactly. I'll admit I'm more than confused. I have a bearded dragon so I figure I can feed them phoenix worms as a staple just as I do my dragon? I can provide pictures of the geckos if necessary. Thanks!

[syfx]

I would take a couple photos for 100% ID then you can find the best way to care for them, in the mean time, they will require some sort of heating, what are your house temps like?

[acpart]

If they are not both leopard geckos, they'll need to be separated as soon as you can. You are right that they need heat and vitamins. There are other things they need as well and it makes more sense for you to read some caresheets rather than to reproduce the info here. You could look on this site for caresheets, google "leopard gecko caresheet" and/or read mine at Geckcessories.

Aliza

[MellowMan24]

ha i geuss i should look at the threads before i post my question. i m wondering the same thing. that is a good site acpart but i dont want paper as the substrate is there anything else i could use something that looks good?

[acpart]

Originally Posted by MellowMan24

ha i geuss i should look at the threads before i post my question. i m wondering the same thing. that is a good site acpart but i dont want paper as the substrate is there anything else i could use something that looks good?

I use ceramic tile. I get slightly textured beige tile that looks good, holds and conducts heat well and is easy to clean.

Aliza

[MellowMan24]

Originally Posted by acpart

I use ceramic tile. I get slightly textured beige tile that looks good, holds and conducts heat well and is easy to clean.

Aliza

i've read that you can use calcium sand is that true? or is tile the best to go with?

[acpart]

THere is much debate about sand. I don't use it; others do. This is what seems pretty clear despite the debate:

--geckos in their natural habitat don't live on sand like you would find at the beach or on sand dunes; they live on hard-packed rocky earth probably with some loose particles on top

--nearly everyone keeps their baby geckos off sand; many people keep all their geckos off sand in the worry that they will become impacted

--calcium sand seems not to be good for geckos despite the advertising. I believe that most people who use sand use play sand.

Aliza

[MellowMan24]

ok so tile is easier to clean and your gecko can not eat it. and sand is most likely hard to clean and your gecko can eat it. well i think the only smart way to go is to get tile. thanks for the help acpart.
and for a start up tank is this all i need?-
• Heat- under tank heater
• Hide spot that will hold moisture
• Mesh top
• Water dish
• A couple tiles
• Thermostat
• Light-plain over head light
• Digital thermometer
• Cricket holder
• Climbing items/rocks
oh and a tank of corse

[acpart]

Originally Posted by MellowMan24

ok so tile is easier to clean and your gecko can not eat it. and sand is most likely hard to clean and your gecko can eat it. well i think the only smart way to go is to get tile. thanks for the help acpart.
and for a start up tank is this all i need?-
• Heat- under tank heater
• Hide spot that will hold moisture
• Mesh top
• Water dish
• A couple tiles
• Thermostat
• Light-plain over head light
• Digital thermometer
• Cricket holder
• Climbing items/rocks
oh and a tank of corse

You don't need the light, but you can use one if you want.
By "cricket holder" I assume you mean something to keep crickets in. I use a "faunarium" for the crickets that are getting fed soon and a 10 gallon tank for the others, but I'm getting 1000 crickets every two weeks. You don't need a fancy cricket rock (the hollow rock with the hole in the side so the crickets can come out)
A digital thermometer is good to have but I have found that after the temps stabilize I don't need one there all the time
You do need a "dry" hide to put on the warm side in addition to the humid hide.

Enjoy your purchases.

Aliza

[MellowMan24]

oh ok thanks