New leopard gecko owner

[Johnlock777]

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I have that 75 watt halogen on a dimmer switch with temps 90-92. Also using a older t8 reptisun 10 with these readings on uv meter 12 inches away from bulb. 20211212_234719.jpg20211212_234719.jpg

[Elizabeth Freer]

I have that 75 watt halogen on a dimmer switch with temps 90-92. Also using a older t8 reptisun 10 with these readings on uv meter 12 inches away from bulb. 20211212_234719.jpg20211212_234719.jpg

Is the 90-92 the ground temperature?

As far as I know, leos require a UV Index reading from O.5 to 1.0 twelve inches below the UVB. 10 seems much too strong.

What happens during the night with your 75 watt bulb?

[Johnlock777]

90-92 is the temp the surface of the sand mat yes. Lol this is a reptisun 10 that's over a year old an reading is still to much. First I was told with hatchlings use a heat mat for 88 temps half of the tank. Now it's halogen lamps with a very low uvb output. The Arcadia 7% shade dweller would read .50 an up at the surface. Seems to be am getting false Info ok the care of living thing like geckos. With what I have that won't work. Even people saying they don't even use uvb with a d3 supplement. How is the care worse then for a bearded dragon. They similar with lower heat required.

[Elizabeth Freer]

90-92 is the temp the surface of the sand mat yes. Lol this is a reptisun 10 that's over a year old an reading is still to much. First I was told with hatchlings use a heat mat for 88 temps half of the tank. Now it's halogen lamps with a very low uvb output. The Arcadia 7% shade dweller would read .50 an up at the surface. Seems to be am getting false Info ok the care of living thing like geckos. With what I have that won't work. Even people saying they don't even use uvb with a d3 supplement. How is the care worse then for a bearded dragon. They similar with lower heat required.

Frances Baines DVM is an admin of Facebook's group Reptile Lighting as well as a reptile lighting guru. Fran recommends adding supplemental D3 at 1-2 feedings per month even when a leo is taking advantage of proper UVB rays.

Let me know when you can access the links I've included. I hope that the links will clarify some of the info you're sharing.

There are several ways to keep leos. A heat mat + a very low wattage overhead bulb that's ONLY turned ON during the days is one way. That works very well. My leo is 17 years old. I've had her 15.5 years. She has never needed to see a vet. She has had her thermostat for years!

Arcadia's ShadeDweller lighting produces those necessary readings from 0.5-1.0 twelve inches from the fixture. Like I mentioned above, ShadeDweller lighting IS available in the USA.

[Johnlock777]

You don't use uvb on your gecko? So a heat mat an very low wattage bulb? What lower wattage bulb would you recommend for a 20 gal long. They are hatchling Leo's sex not sure but they are only near one another when I add crickets. I use calcium without d3 every feeding an herpivite once a month. 1st an last of day of month I use calcium with d3. You have any links on type of correct lighting needed for Leo's. Trying to avoid the heat mats. My last Leo died from a black belly from a unknown cause.

[Elizabeth Freer]

You don't use uvb on your gecko? So a heat mat an very low wattage bulb? What lower wattage bulb would you recommend for a 20 gal long. They are hatchling Leo's sex not sure but they are only near one another when I add crickets. I use calcium without d3 every feeding an herpivite once a month. 1st an last of day of month I use calcium with d3. You have any links on type of correct lighting needed for Leo's. Trying to avoid the heat mats. My last Leo died from a black belly from a unknown cause.

That's correct! I've never used any UVB on my 17 year old leo. UVB is superior lighting. Proper UVB usage is the way of the future! This future is NOW!

How often are you feeding your hatchlings? A multivitamin like Reptivite multivitamins without D3 should be used lightly dusted on all bugs or worms @ 1 feeding per week. You're taking a big risk keeping these leos together when we don't know their sexes.

Please use Schedule 154 as long as you use Arcadia's ShadeDweller lighting.

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. *****

The medical term for Metabolic Bone Disease = Nutritional Secondary HyperParathyroidism. NSHP symptoms include leaning to one side when walking, walking on one or both "elbows", bowed limbs, belly dragging, and an underbite. Difficulty chewing should be closely monitored.

A Ferguson Zone Index of 0.5-1.0 is required at the leopard gecko's basking site!

The Reptile Supply Company (916-226-4089) based in Lodi, California stocks Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3.

Lightly dust the prey 3x per week even when your leopard gecko eats daily. When your leo graduates to eating ~3x per week, still lightly dust the prey ONLY 3x per week.

During this time (0-12 months old) your leopard gecko will be transitioning from daily feeding to feeding ~3x per week. This all depends upon how fast your leo grows!

• 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's human-grade pure calcium carbonate)
• 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's human-grade pure calcium carbonate)
• 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 DVM 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

Link 157 should be good for lighting, heating, and everything your leos need.

For link 157 click: ***** Best Practices using UVB through mesh with a 20 gallon long enclosure: 30 x 12 x 12 inches tall for a leopard gecko . . . . . . GU's Marillion, Fran Baines DVM, & Elizabeth Freer -- June 2021 (updated) *****

[Johnlock777]

Are you a bot? Seems you keep giving same info in your post. Not even finding it helpful. Still at square one with lighting an habitat requirements.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Are you a bot? Seems you keep giving same info in your post. Not even finding it helpful. Still at square one with lighting an habitat requirements.

WOW!

I've repeated link 157 3x. You still request info that's clearly in that link if you read it. You'll discover ALL lighting & habitat requirements in that very link for your 30 x 13 inch enclosure.

I still don't know what the night temps are when the 75 watt bulb should be off.

[Johnlock777]

Yes an quoted I can't get that link to work on this site.

[Johnlock777]

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Ok seen care sheet. Says to use a heat mat with a 15 watt incandescent bulb. But heat may could crack bottom glass. Wouldn't go in enclosure but the bottom.
But if my halogen bulb heats bottom to 88-89 degrees would work but in a very small area. So still stuck on what to do with a 20 gal tank long with lighting an uvb.