New Leo Owner

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi all! Just wanted to say hi and that for all of the information I've gotten already from this forum. Picked up a new Leopard Gecko a couple days ago. He was supposed to come with a complete set up but it was pretty lacking to say the least. So we've spent the whole weekend trying our best to get him set him up right. Got a 30" x 12 x 12 tank that was a full beardie set up that was cheaper than just a the tank, a EXO-TERRA UTH, some slate tile, a hide, dishes, calcium, vitamins and gutload for the crickets. Since we keep our house quite cool, we've had quite a challenge getting the heat up to reasonable levels [Hot side 90F - Cold Side 78F] . The lady that had him didn't even have his UTH plugged in so he's really soaking it up now. He's really loving exploring the new set up and we're loving watching his every move. He's especially enjoying his climbing up and down his new hide. He doesn't have the fattest tail so I'd like to plump him up a little. Seems to be eating OK, he's had 6 crickets and 6 meal worms. Doesn't seem very interested in eating today. Pooping daily and looks normal.

Really looking forward to learning more about Leo's and getting to know my Gecko. Photos attached... any habitat suggestions welcome.:biggrin:

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Congratulations on your new addition! Few little suggestions:

1) Move the humid hide over toward the warm side. If it's kept on the cool side, your gecko won't use it because it'll decrease its internal temperatures too much. Then have a dry hide over on the cool side instead (I'd suggest one in the middle as well).
2) Don't use red lights. They're an unnatural color light for a gecko to see. If you use overhead heating during the day, use a regularly colored light. And if you need it at night, use a ceramic heat emitter.
3) Toss the analog thermometer you have there and get a digital one.

Those are just minor things though. All in all, it looks good. Well done. Glad she's in a good home now.

~Maggot

 

[Thin Lizzy]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've had a really hard time getting the temps up. The new EXO UTH I bought sucks and barely brought the temp up to 75-80, so I made that the cold side, added a Zoomed UTH on the opposite side with the ZooMed 60W Nightlight to get the temp up to 90ish for my hot side. I didn't think Leo's basked, but he's been basking on top of his hide for a good hour, and seems very content to do so.

Would a 60W ceramic heat emitter offer equivalent heat as the light?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've had a really hard time getting the temps up. The new EXO UTH I bought sucks and barely brought the temp up to 75-80, so I made that the cold side, added a Zoomed UTH on the opposite side with the ZooMed 60W Nightlight to get the temp up to 90ish for my hot side. I didn't think Leo's basked, but he's been basking on top of his hide for a good hour, and seems very content to do so.

Would a 60W ceramic heat emitter offer equivalent heat as the light?

They will if they're cold or need belly heat. Is the ZooMed directly under the hot side hide? Does the hide have a bottom? It should be warmer in the hide than outside it, so your gecko would choose inside the hide rather than out. I'd personally remove the UTH from the cool side though. You don't really need to worry about over there. If it's too cool, your gecko just won't go there. But it doesn't hurt to have a really cool option. Plus then that's one less UTH you have to worry about.

I'm not sure how much heat the bulb you have produces, honestly. You'd have to try it and find out. If you have to, though, you could just return it and get another wattage if you find it isn't right.

~Maggot

 

[Thin Lizzy]

They will if they're cold or need belly heat. Is the ZooMed directly under the hot side hide? Does the hide have a bottom? It should be warmer in the hide than outside it, so your gecko would choose inside the hide rather than out. I'd personally remove the UTH from the cool side though. You don't really need to worry about over there. If it's too cool, your gecko just won't go there. But it doesn't hurt to have a really cool option. Plus then that's one less UTH you have to worry about.

I'm not sure how much heat the bulb you have produces, honestly. You'd have to try it and find out. If you have to, though, you could just return it and get another wattage if you find it isn't right.

~Maggot

The ZooMed is directly under the hot hide and the hide has no bottom. Unfortunately it still won't maintain enough heat without some additional overhead heat source. I'll check out those ceramic emitters. Unfortunately can't remove or return the EXO UTH but I can simply unplug it if I need to when the weather starts getting warmer again. I wouldn't want to add the ceramic without a thermostat, any suggestions?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

The ZooMed is directly under the hot hide and the hide has no bottom. Unfortunately it still won't maintain enough heat without some additional overhead heat source. I'll check out those ceramic emitters. Unfortunately can't remove or return the EXO UTH but I can simply unplug it if I need to when the weather starts getting warmer again. I wouldn't want to add the ceramic without a thermostat, any suggestions?

At the very least, it doesn't hurt to have an extra UTH around the house in case you need it someday.

Sorry I can't help with the thermostat for the CHE. I don't use one on mine. Hopefully someone else can help you out there.

~Maggot

 

[cricket4u]

Sorry I can't help with the thermostat for the CHE. I don't use one on mine. Hopefully someone else can help you out there.

~Maggot

If I am not mistaken you mentioned you use soil/sand? It is very important to stabilize the temps by using a thermostat. High air temps can lead to dehydration and very common in leos. Huge risk of impaction.

 

[cricket4u]

The ZooMed is directly under the hot hide and the hide has no bottom. Unfortunately it still won't maintain enough heat without some additional overhead heat source. I'll check out those ceramic emitters. Unfortunately can't remove or return the EXO UTH but I can simply unplug it if I need to when the weather starts getting warmer again. I wouldn't want to add the ceramic without a thermostat, any suggestions?

There's examples of thermostats in this caresheet.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...-macularius-demo-video-4-jan-2013-update.html

 

[Thin Lizzy]

If I am not mistaken you mentioned you use soil/sand? It is very important to stabilize the temps by using a thermostat. High air temps can lead to dehydration and very common in leos.

I'm using a slate substrate with a thin layer of sand underneath for leveling and even heat distribution. Without the addition of some sort of overhead heating I have no way to get the temp up past 78-80F. The UTH just doesn't cut it. Unless you have any other suggestions, I'm going to try the Ceramic suggestion.

 

[cricket4u]

I'm using a slate substrate with a thin layer of sand underneath for leveling and even heat distribution. Without the addition of some sort of overhead heating I have no way to get the temp up past 78-80F. The UTH just doesn't cut it. Unless you have any other suggestions, I'm going to try the Ceramic suggestion.

I had quoted to Maggot. Go with the CHE on a thermostat.

 

[Thin Lizzy]

I had quoted to Maggot. Go with the CHE on a thermostat.

Thanks for your replies. I just ordered up the CHE. This is becoming a very expensive venture.:blushing:

 

[Thin Lizzy]

Revamped Set-up

Thanks for your replies. I just ordered up the CHE. This is becoming a very expensive venture.:blushing:

New Pic of the revamped habitat. CHE Light Stand still to come. I bet he's happy to get that red light out of his eyes.

 

[Thin Lizzy]

PROGRESS REPORT
After just over three months Howie has gone from a sickly 37g to a healthy 71g. He's got a healthy appetite, eats a wide variety of crickets and worms, sheds effortlessly and seems strong and happy. So grateful for all the GU advice.

 

[cricket4u]

PROGRESS REPORT
After just over three months Howie has gone from a sickly 37g to a healthy 71g. He's got a healthy appetite, eats a wide variety of crickets and worms, sheds effortlessly and seems strong and happy. So grateful for all the GU advice.
View attachment 22995

He's at what I would consider the perfect weight for his length. Keep up the good work!