Retaining 8 year old off of Sand? HELP

[juggle]

I'm new to Geckos and I adopted an 8yr old who was raised on sand and had only one hide. Pretty amazing that she is in good shape (I named her Cricket). Anyway. I took away her sand as I immeidately felt it would be trouble and my reading confirmed it But now she is peeing inside of one hide and living in it. It stinks and so does she. I have paper down on the tank but because I try to keep the tank somewhat moist (I have peat moss on the edges that I spray) the paper towel is always wet. How am I supposed to do the humidity thing and keep the paper towels dry? She never had more than one hide and so wont go into a hide with peat moss in it and i want to provide her with mositure so keep some peat on the floor of her tank also. So I need real help.
I like the idea of using tile but do you use regular floor tile? And where does the gecko poop? She used to use a corner of the sand (her former owners said who got tired of her - who never took care of her). But now no sand so she poops in her hide. Not good.
Thanks.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

Congratulations on adopting a leo.

1. :yahoo: on removing Cricket's sand!

2. Textured floor tiles (ceramic, porcelain, slate) work quite well as a substrate over an Under Tank Heat mat.

3. Recommend 3 hides: warm dry, warm moist, cool dry

4. Generally leos spend more time in their warm moist hides. Try leaving a layer of paper towels in the poop corner. Those can be changed regularly.

5. How are you doing for cage temps?

6. Homemade Humid Hide recommended by GU's Conched (Matt)
1. I use 45 oz Country Crock containers; the 16 oz are too small. The lid has a 6 inch diameter. The 45 oz size allows a fully grown Leo to fit inside comfortably.
2. Cut an entry hole about 2.5 inches above the container's base.
3. Add 2 inches of sphagnum moss to that hide.
4. Keep moss or paper towels damp 24/7.
5. Use the lid of the container as the ceiling.
6. Locate the moist hide on the warm end of the enclosure.
7. Warm moist hides 24/7 help leopard geckos stay hydrated so that they shed completely by themselves. Even when not shedding you will find your leo inside.

 

[jinete]

Did that Leo live on sand for 8 years without any problems? What kind of sand was it? Just curious. I am certainly not a person that says no sand ever, period. I am open minded and realize what works for one may not work for another. I was just thinking that if that Leo has been on sand for 8 years without any adverse affects then maybe it's ok for him. Have you thought about sani chips?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Did that Leo live on sand for 8 years without any problems? What kind of sand was it? Just curious. I am certainly not a person that says no sand ever, period. I am open minded and realize what works for one may not work for another. I was just thinking that if that Leo has been on sand for 8 years without any adverse affects then maybe it's ok for him. Have you thought about sani chips?

That all has to do with the original keeper's care.

:scratchhead: Sand and sani chips absorb urine and feces. They are hard to keep clean. Both are impaction risks.

My recommendations depend upon both the keeper's experience and the age of the leo. Definitely, a non particulate substrate is safest by far. Why risk impaction?

Click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...32-my-leo-peach-her-fight-sand-impaction.html

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'm new to Geckos and I adopted an 8yr old who was raised on sand and had only one hide. Pretty amazing that she is in good shape (I named her Cricket). Anyway. I took away her sand as I immeidately felt it would be trouble and my reading confirmed it But now she is peeing inside of one hide and living in it. It stinks and so does she. I have paper down on the tank but because I try to keep the tank somewhat moist (I have peat moss on the edges that I spray) the paper towel is always wet. How am I supposed to do the humidity thing and keep the paper towels dry? She never had more than one hide and so wont go into a hide with peat moss in it and i want to provide her with mositure so keep some peat on the floor of her tank also. So I need real help.
I like the idea of using tile but do you use regular floor tile? And where does the gecko poop? She used to use a corner of the sand (her former owners said who got tired of her - who never took care of her). But now no sand so she poops in her hide. Not good.
Thanks.

Hi ~

Yes, use regular floor tiles, the type without adhesive backing.

Have you been able to get her 3 hides? Both the warm moist hide and warm dry hide go on the warm end right above the under tank heat mat.

:idea: IF your moist hide has a top and a bottom, like a plastic container moist hide, the tank's paper towel substrate will stay dry. Keep the humid hide moist 24/7 to help your leo with hydration as well as with shedding. 40-50% relative humidity for the tank in general.

Try sphagnum moss or paper towels inside the moist hide.

Typically leos alternate between the warm moist and warm dry hides. They often poop on the cool end of the enclosure. Place a couple layers of paper towels in the poop area.

Have you checked out any Leo Care Sheet on GU?