New to leopard geckos!

[gummyvites]

I don't actually have my leopard gecko yet but i'm preparing for her (i want a girl), and i just want to make sure i do everything right before the big day (August 18th). So if anyone has any tips or advice about gecko care and setting up my cage and what to get that would be super helpful, but don't get me wrong i've done ALL my research and i really do feel prepared but i joined a site like this when i started my fish tank and it was SO helpful so i thought this site could be helpful to me as well? And i promise to post plenty of pictures once i get my baby!

 

[gummyvites]

Oh and i already have my tank, its a ten gallon with the screen top and locks on it! I just need to add the substrate, hides, heater, and all that good stuff! And the gecko of course

 

[Embrace Calamity]

More specific questions would be easier for people to help you with. There's so many tiny little details that people can't really tell you them all. I will say that it would probably be a good idea to get a 20 gallon long (not high) instead of a 10 gallon. You'll get a better temp gradient and have enough room for all the hides necessary. Plus your gecko will have more room to move around, which it will make use of if provided.

~Maggot

 

[gummyvites]

I mean i pretty much think i know everything i need but i'm just trying to see if theres any special things most beginners dont realize or anything important like that.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Frankly, there are all different levels of beginners. Some beginners think keeping a leopard gecko means putting it a tank with calcium sand and throwing in a hide, while others understand the need for two dry hides and a humid hide, the pros and cons of different substrates, the different nutrients needed and what supplements to use, what feeders to use and which ones to stay away from, etc. I guess explaining your plans for supplements, substrate, setup, etc. would be the best place to start.

~Maggot

 

[gummyvites]

I know that you need a warm hide and a cool hide and a humid hide. And i know you need calcium and to feed live mealworms and crickets! I was leaning towards reptile carpet for my substrate (which i would keep clean), i heard that it works well and i dont want my gecko eating the sand! I don't know too much about what supplements to use so any advice on that would be great! What feeders do you suggest?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Geckos need much more than just calcium. Vitamin D3, for example, is what allows their bodies to actually use calcium. They also need different nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, etc. There are many different supplements, some of which cover only a few of these things and some cover all of them. People have all different opinions on the subject of supplementation, so how it's done depends on the individual person. The only two all-in-one supplements I know of are Repashy Calcium Plus and Zoo Med Reptivite (not Repti Calcium). The benefit of these is that they cover all that the geckos need in their diet, so there's no fear of a deficiency. Some people choose to mix and match supplements, though I'd be wary of that for fear of having too much of one thing and not enough of something else (eg too much calcium and not enough vitamin A). I personally always side with Repashy Calcium Plus because it has higher levels of vitamin A, which is important for skin and eye health. But some people don't like Repashy and prefer Reptivite. It comes down to personal preference, really.

I'd not recommend the carpet, however. Young geckos especially can get their teeth and toes caught in the fibers. It's also difficult to keep truly clean. There's some concern about "things" growing on it after a while, which could lead to infection. Paper towels and slate tiles are probably the two best choices for substrate.

As for feeders, mealworms and crickets are fine. Just make sure to provide sufficient belly heat so that the gecko doesn't have trouble digesting all the chitin in the mealworms. (Remember that floor temps on the warm side should be 88-93, measured digitally and hooked up to a thermostat.)

~Maggot

 

[gummyvites]

Okay. And the Repashy calcium plus and the zoo med reptivite both also have calcium? Because if it has everything i need then i'll definately buy one of those. I've also heard that they can get stuck in the carpet and stuff, hmm maybe i'll get some to try it and then just use papertowels for backup? Idk. I was planning to get a under tank heater for belly heat, i heard there best for that but im not sure, thats why im asking your guys' opinion!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Yes, they're both all-in-one supplements that contain everything the gecko needs. Whichever you get, use according to the label instructions.

Belly heat is important for digestion, yes, but, IMO, overhead heat is equally important. Many people keep their geckos only with UTHs, and it won't cause them any harm, but it will decrease their activity, especially if the room they're kept in is cooler. UTHs warm the surface nicely, and the trapped heat in the warm hide will keep that warm, but the rest of the enclosure will sit at about room temp. This means that the gecko has to pretty much stay in the warm hide to stay warm, or keep its belly to the ground. I've tried all three ways with my gecko - with only overhead heat, with only a UTH, and with both. I found that my gecko was healthy and active with only overhead heat (but I provided plenty of areas for her to bask to warm her belly) and with both, but when I tried just a UTH, she became much less active. She spent 90% of her time in her warm hide, even at night, in the interest of staying warm enough. But with a 10 gallon, the problem is a proper temp gradient. They're too narrow to provide a proper cool side (no higher than 77, but lower is even better) while providing overhead heat in conjunction with a UTH. At least, I don't know of anyone who's done it successfully, unless maybe the room is exceptionally cool.

~Maggot

 

[gummyvites]

Yes, they're both all-in-one supplements that contain everything the gecko needs. Whichever you get, use according to the label instructions.

Belly heat is important for digestion, yes, but, IMO, overhead heat is equally important. Many people keep their geckos only with UTHs, and it won't cause them any harm, but it will decrease their activity, especially if the room they're kept in is cooler. UTHs warm the surface nicely, and the trapped heat in the warm hide will keep that warm, but the rest of the enclosure will sit at about room temp. This means that the gecko has to pretty much stay in the warm hide to stay warm, or keep its belly to the ground. I've tried all three ways with my gecko - with only overhead heat, with only a UTH, and with both. I found that my gecko was healthy and active with only overhead heat (but I provided plenty of areas for her to bask to warm her belly) and with both, but when I tried just a UTH, she became much less active. She spent 90% of her time in her warm hide, even at night, in the interest of staying warm enough. But with a 10 gallon, the problem is a proper temp gradient. They're too narrow to provide a proper cool side (no higher than 77, but lower is even better) while providing overhead heat in conjunction with a UTH. At least, I don't know of anyone who's done it successfully, unless maybe the room is exceptionally cool.

~Maggot

Okay! Thanks so much, you've been very helpful.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

No problem. Again, everyone has their own opinions on most things, so remember that it comes down to personal preference, and you can form your own too. Good luck, and if you have any more questions, post away.

~Maggot

 

[gummyvites]

No problem. Again, everyone has their own opinions on most things, so remember that it comes down to personal preference, and you can form your own too. Good luck, and if you have any more questions, post away.

~Maggot

Okay, thank you.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Oh and i already have my tank, its a ten gallon with the screen top and locks on it! I just need to add the substrate, hides, heater, and all that good stuff! And the gecko of course

A 10 gallon tank is REALLY too small. Not only is it difficult to fit in all 3 hides, when you do so your leo won't have room to move around. It is highly desirable to get a 30 inch x 12.5 x 12.5 inch tank from the beginning. Then you will have it set and no further upgrades will be necessary.

Every so often Petco has $1 per gallon sales. Maybe there will be one before August 18th. The Leo Caresheet linked right below in my signature has the Petco link as well as much other info you may not have seen before. Good idea to give it a read too.

PETCO - Local Ad

If you go with carpet you'll need 2, one to dry after being sterilized. Carpet also harbors bacteria from the feces and the urine. Slate, ceramic, or porcelain tiles, on the other hand look great, are inexpensive, and are permanent. A totally impaction risk-free substrate.

I mean i pretty much think i know everything i need but i'm just trying to see if theres any special things most beginners dont realize or anything important like that.

Many newbies don't realize all the important details it takes to set up a habitat for a leo. They think a 10 gallon tank is good when it really is insufficient.

Okay. And the Repashy calcium plus and the zoo med reptivite both also have calcium? Because if it has everything i need then i'll definately buy one of those. I've also heard that they can get stuck in the carpet and stuff, hmm maybe i'll get some to try it and then just use papertowels for backup? Idk. I was planning to get a under tank heater for belly heat, i heard there best for that but im not sure, thats why im asking your guys' opinion!

Why try carpet when it has been shown to be problematical on several fronts?

On the 10 June 2013 I visited my exotics vet with my leo and another gecko. The vet clearly states that if a person does use some multivitamin mix it should be preferably Zoo Med's Reptivite with vitamin D3/A acetate or the similar Reptocal formula. He further states that only "a little tiny pinch of the multivitamin mix with D3" should be used 1x per week.

He would feed the crickets a nutritious diet 24/7. Then 2 days prior to feeding the crickets off to the geckos, he'd feed the crickets T-Rex Calcium Plus Food for Crickets (T-Rex).

 

[gummyvites]

A 10 gallon tank is REALLY too small. Not only is it difficult to fit in all 3 hides, when you do so your leo won't have room to move around. It is highly desirable to get a 30 inch x 12.5 x 12.5 inch tank from the beginning. Then you will have it set and no further upgrades will be necessary.

Every so often Petco has $1 per gallon sales. Maybe there will be one before August 18th. The Leo Caresheet linked right below in my signature has the Petco link as well as much other info you may not have seen before. Good idea to give it a read too.

PETCO - Local Ad

If you go with carpet you'll need 2, one to dry after being sterilized. Carpet also harbors bacteria from the feces and the urine. Slate, ceramic, or porcelain tiles, on the other hand look great, are inexpensive, and are permanent. A totally impaction risk-free substrate.



Many newbies don't realize all the important details it takes to set up a habitat for a leo. They think a 10 gallon tank is good when it really is insufficient.



Why try carpet when it has been shown to be problematical on several fronts?

On the 10 June 2013 I visited my exotics vet with my leo and another gecko. The vet clearly states that if a person does use some multivitamin mix it should be preferably Zoo Med's Reptivite with vitamin D3/A acetate or the similar Reptocal formula. He further states that only "a little tiny pinch of the multivitamin mix with D3" should be used 1x per week.

He would feed the crickets a nutritious diet 24/7. Then 2 days prior to feeding the crickets off to the geckos, he'd feed the crickets T-Rex Calcium Plus Food for Crickets (T-Rex).

Okay, just with everything i've researched everyone said 10 was what you should get for one gecko. But if i need a twenty gallon i will get a twenty gallon! I hear theres a dollar per gallon sale on june 24th, so i'll probably hit that up! I wish they sold the hoods with the tanks though!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Okay, just with everything i've researched everyone said 10 was what you should get for one gecko. But if i need a twenty gallon i will get a twenty gallon! I hear theres a dollar per gallon sale on june 24th, so i'll probably hit that up! I wish they sold the hoods with the tanks though!

There is a lot of misinformation out there with regards to keeping leos. Many people have had success keeping a single leo in a 20 gallon LONG tank: 30 inches x 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches.

Glad you found a Petco sale. Getting a 20 gallon LONG tank now will save you $$ in the long run, cuz you'll not need to upgrade when your leo grows.

Strongly consider porcelain, ceramic, or slate tiles for the substrate. If you check out the posts following my leo caresheet you'll find examples of how tile looks in a tank.

Some people are even recommending wooden enclosures now. Don't know whether you can buy these n the USA already made.

 

[gummyvites]

There is a lot of misinformation out there with regards to keeping leos. Many people have had success keeping a single leo in a 20 gallon LONG tank: 30 inches x 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches.

Glad you found a Petco sale. Getting a 20 gallon LONG tank now will save you $$ in the long run, cuz you'll not need to upgrade when your leo grows.

Strongly consider porcelain, ceramic, or slate tiles for the substrate. If you check out the posts following my leo caresheet you'll find examples of how tile looks in a tank.

Some people are even recommending wooden enclosures now. Don't know whether you can buy these n the USA already made.

Yes, Yes! Definitely getting a 20 LONG so my leo will have plenty of room to explore. And i actually was considering tiles, that really seems like the best way to go! I will probably start with paper towel for the first few days untill i get a chance to go get the tiles, but i dont want the carpet hurting there little toes I'm so excited to get my leo though! Im still deciding between baby or adult. If its an adult i can pick the sex and the babies are jumpy and i dont want to hurt them but at the same time i kinda wanna see my leo grow from a baby! So i guess i'll just see which one stands out to me.

 

[gummyvites]

There is a lot of misinformation out there with regards to keeping leos. Many people have had success keeping a single leo in a 20 gallon LONG tank: 30 inches x 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches.

Glad you found a Petco sale. Getting a 20 gallon LONG tank now will save you $$ in the long run, cuz you'll not need to upgrade when your leo grows.

Strongly consider porcelain, ceramic, or slate tiles for the substrate. If you check out the posts following my leo caresheet you'll find examples of how tile looks in a tank.

Some people are even recommending wooden enclosures now. Don't know whether you can buy these n the USA already made.

Do you think you can give me some advice on my newest post.