Leopard Gecko Substrate and set up (advice needed)

[MonopolyBag]

Sand I read is a no-no, even calci-sand.

Paper towels don't look nice, but I heard they work well.

I am looking into large gravel for like fish, and or tiles, like slate tiles. Both maybe combine them to give a natural look but still very safe for the gecko.

Any thoughts. Then I was going to add some fake grasses to make it again look more natural.

I was going to do a few 2 gallon set ups.

I am getting into the leopard geckos, have owned some in the past, did very well, but want to get some more exotic colored ones.

 

[TheGeckoJunkie]

Tile looks and works great. You can add fake plants to make it look fantastic. And a 2 gallon tank set up? At least a 10 gallon tank... or was that just a typo and you just forgot to put 10, as in 2 10 gallon set ups...

 

[acpart]

The problem with gravel and stones is that the crickets and escaped mealworms hide in it and then they die and smell.

Aliza

 

[dewthesunkist]

sand may not be a choice for many but I've tried sand and my gecko has not shown any problems and I've even taken a great look when he eats his criket they spit out the sand or just rub the sand off. 2 gallon talk about a small tank even a 10 gallon tank can be small I say 20 gallon they love the extra room. paper towels you can put in there with out the worries ofyour gecko eating it or losing his food doesn't look to great but throw in some plants(fake) a cool looking cave for him/her and it looks great. You'll notice after you get your gecko that look more at him then what ever else is around him so don't worry about the looks of the tank but the health and if your putting your gecko in a safe place for him to live in til he dies.

 

[Stormphyre]

I recommend tile. Its easy to clean, and unless you drop it, then you only have to buy it once. Easy to sterilize too, just pop it in the oven and bake it or soak it in vinegar. Or both.
I don't recommend sand for the chance of impaction and because juices from their fecal soak in and its like living in your own litter box. I just don't like sand. Its not clean to me, has a risk, and can get expensive.
Reptile carpet isn't bad, I've never had an issue with it. Paper towels are easy, but as you said, they're not to pleasing to the eye. I like to stick paper towels in their potty corner to make for easy clean up.
Also, a 2 gallon is really too small for a leopard gecko

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

NO LOOSE SUBSTRATE, sorry, but no, fish gravel would be bad, easily swallowed, easily impacted.

Slate tile is wonderful and retains heat well.

I use paper towel for the convience and easy of clean up, but yeah, it doesn't "look nice".

Repti cage carpet or astro-turf is also a good option...

2 gallons is WAY too small. 10gal MINIMUM. Ideally, 15-25 gallons is great.

 

[@marko@]

if its not a particulate, its ok. anything too big to fit in the leos mouth is fine. tile is good, and brown repticarpet isnt too bad either.

 

[MonopolyBag]

Sorry, Typo... 20 gallon is what I meant. I was going to do a few 20 long tanks.

 

[Kazska]

I use slate tiles, very safe and easy to clean plus it conducts the heat well so they have a nice basking spot. I do you use a thin layer of sand underneath the tiles though for different heights... thin on the heated end (closer to the heat mat), thicker on the cooler end

xxxXXX

 

[kehroscene]

Although sand is a "no-no". I use it with my Leo and have been for the past 4 1/2 years. I NEVER use it with any baby/juvies. But I feed him his crickets and mealworms in a small 'tub/bin' to keep him from getting impaction. I've always used sand with my leos and have never had a problem with it. I know several other breeders who use sand, as well, and have never had a leo get impacted or anything of the sort. Plus, do they live on tile and paper towels in the wild? Noo. But that's just my opinion.

BUT. Don't use fish gravel. :| Green and brown repticarpet doesn't look bad either. But if you don't want to use sand and want something that looks nice and is easy to clean. Go with some sort of tile. You get an assortment of colours that way.

 

[MonopolyBag]

Actually, in the wild, they DO live on sand AND rocks (similar to tile) but in the wild do people expect them to live for years and years to come? No, why, predators and other problems that we try to prevent in captivity.

 

[Kazska]

Plus, do they live on tile and paper towels in the wild? Noo.

I completely agree with MonopolyBag.

I'm sorry but I'm SICK of people saying this. Leos do live in rocky areas as well as desert. If you wanna take a risk with your geckos thats fine but please don't insult people that don't want to take the chance.

xxxXXX

 

[kehroscene]

I completely agree with MonopolyBag.

I'm sorry but I'm SICK of people saying this. Leos do live in rocky areas as well as desert. If you wanna take a risk with your geckos thats fine but please don't insult people that don't want to take the chance.

xxxXXX

Woaaah, honey. I am not trying to INSULT anyone. I'm not that kind of person at all. At one point I kept ALL my animals on paper towels and newspaper. Then I tried sand and such for more natural setups. Sand isn't for everyone and everyone is entitled completely to do as they please with their own animals. <3 Please don't take it as me trying to insult ANYONE. Because I'm honestly not and I don't like people assuming I am.

 

[Kazska]

Woaaah, honey. I am not trying to INSULT anyone. I'm not that kind of person at all. At one point I kept ALL my animals on paper towels and newspaper. Then I tried sand and such for more natural setups. Sand isn't for everyone and everyone is entitled completely to do as they please with their own animals. <3 Please don't take it as me trying to insult ANYONE. Because I'm honestly not and I don't like people assuming I am.

I wasn't trying to aim it just at you sweets, it just a lot of people have been saying it lately and I felt I needed to set it straight... plus I was at work soooo.... STRESS! haha!

Sorry if you felt I was aiming it at you anyway :roll:

xxxXXX

 

[slove1106]

plus I was at work soooo.... STRESS! haha!

Hmm... maybe that was why I got into it with that other guy on the other thread that you set us straight on... :biggrin: haha Work brings out our viciousness... :evil:

 

[Kazska]

Hmm... maybe that was why I got into it with that other guy on the other thread that you set us straight on... :biggrin: haha Work brings out our viciousness... :evil:

lol yeah must do, a moment ago I was getting worked up with labels :shock:

xxxXXX

 

[phearamedusa]

I tried small loose pebbles, they are a PITA to clean, if yours like mine decides that where the potty is. Dinner also hides in them, next thing you know you have beetles instead of mealies...

 

[qiksilver]

I've kept leopard geckos for over 10 years on sand. I don't use calci, I use fine plain sand. It is MY personal preferred substrate. I have not had any deaths due to impaction. The only death I've had in at least 5 years in my leopard gecko colony has been due to old age. She had laid several clutches, and was about 15 years old. I still miss that girl. But with that being said, it's totally about what you're comfortable with keeping them on.

 

[taratheadora]

but question...

Slate tile is wonderful and retains heat well.

But, I'm concerned about tiles being too heavy for my glass tank. I don't want the glass to break from the weight of the tile. Has this ever been a concern / happened to anyone?

 

[Hilde]

But, I'm concerned about tiles being too heavy for my glass tank. I don't want the glass to break from the weight of the tile. Has this ever been a concern / happened to anyone?

Please start a new thread for your questions. This thread is 9 years old, it won't do much good to dig it up start the discussion again.