Got my tank set up!

[kholtme]

After researching for about 3 months and slowly gathering supplies I got my tank set up. I'm using a 40 gallon tank, a 11 x 17 uth from bean farm, and a hydro farm thermostat. I'm using tile as substrate with a thin layer of sand underneath to keep the tiles from moving and to distribute heat properly. I am using ice cream containers for the hides right now, but will get more naturalistic looking hides in the future. Thermostat is set at 91 and the probe is set in the warm dry hide. I am hoping to get my leo some time this week. Let me know what you think!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Looks nice, but a little too "open". How about some driftwood for climbing or some silk foliage? Some leos really love to climb. With some larger hides you'll be "right there".

I have a tall silk palm tree in the center of my leo's cage. (All Living Things?)

How about a digital thermometer with a probe to verify the thermostat's readouts?

Did the 11 x 17 UTH fit lengthwise from back to front on the left side?

Is the enclosure in a corner? Think about covering the end on the left with brown paper

 

[JIMI]

I agree with Elizabeth! Good job so far! Your new friend will greatly appreciate your preparedness What ambient temperature are you getting on the hot side?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

PS: Did you elevate the enclosure off the shelf a little to promote air flow?

 

[kholtme]

I know what you mean by openness Elizabeth, and im sure i will use up that space quickly. I was hoping to get my gecko first and try to see its personality and fill that area with something that it will enjoy most. And I might use black construction paper to cover the 3 side walls. As for the ambient air temps on the warm side out side of the hide is 70 degrees 4 inches above the ground which i fear may be too cold? Elizabeths care sheet says 85 maximum, is there a minimum? And I also have a digital kitchen thermometer with a probe to check temps around the tank. The uth fit 17 inches wide and 11 inches long (being totally towards the left side) but on the back side it is off the glass and on the plastic base, which takes about an inch away from the back side. Inside the hot hide 4 inches above the ground the air temp is 77.5 degrees.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Black or maybe brown construction paper works great.

As you have noticed, temperatures drop off rather quickly the further up you go from the UTH. (I even noticed in some notes I have above my laptop that some GU member bought an 11 x 23 inch Ultratherm for his 36 x 18 x 18 in October 2014. The measured width of the tank includes the black frame and is not the actual measurement of the glass base.

You want temps from 88-91ish on the ground under the warm dry hide.

What's the room temp right now? To increase the warm air temps, I'd buy a 10 inch diameter dome fixture (no smaller) and either a 60 watt or maybe 100 watt CHE. That will warm the air. A Lutron dimmer/rheostat will tweak the output of the CHE to reasonable levels. (Sorry, I know, more $$.)

Some places like Petco will let you exchange the bulbs till you get it right. I've had problems with Exo Terra CHEs.

I turn off my leo's heat at night, but the room lows drop no lower than 65 F. That's not a problem as long as the daytime temps are good.

Different hides might hold the heat better. This medium Exo Terra hide costs about $5 from Amazon. Click: http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Rep...584610&sr=1-1&keywords=exo+terra+reptile+hide

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Homemade Humid Hide recommended by GU's Conched (Matt)
Opaque containers offer excellent privacy.

1. I use plastic 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 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.

 

[kholtme]

My hides are all made out of plastic concontainers. The floor get plenty hot enough, before I got my thermostat they were in the 100s! The 11 x 17 was the largest I seen offered on bean farm when I ordered. I will go look at che today.

 

[ToffeeNut]

Your tank looks like a gecko mansion! Can't wait to see it when you have more decorations. :3

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

My hides are all made out of plastic concontainers. The floor get plenty hot enough, before I got my thermostat they were in the 100s! The 11 x 17 was the largest I seen offered on bean farm when I ordered. I will go look at che today.

Last I heard those Ultratherms come in 11 different sizes.

 

[kholtme]

You are right, I just looked, my tank is 18 inch x 36 inch and that's why I decided the 17 x 11 because I thought it would fit best. I don't think the other sizes would fit very good.

 

[kholtme]

As for che, If i got a 10 inch dome, would a 60 watt be enough and just never unplug it and no dimmer? Or could I get a 100w and also plug it into my thermostat with the uth? Not sure if either of those options would work.

 

[JIMI]

Since your ambient temperature on the hot side is pretty low I'd jump to the 100w and plug it into a thermostat or dimmer. Unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to plug the CHE into the same thermostat it would need its own.

 

[kholtme]

Okay so today I went and bought a 10 inch dome and a 100 watt che. Isnt it nice thinking you have everything thing you need to find out you have to spend more money haha. I dont have it on a dimmer, but I am going to see what my temps get too and see if i need it. With my tank being 18 inch tall im hoping i dont, or not yet until spring when my house temps will rise. Would it be alright to get a leo today? Or is ambient air temp important enough that i should wait?

 

[ajavelina]

It will work! Looks good

 

[hmarie186]

I would wait a few more days until you know everything is stable. Otherwise fluctuating temps and readjusting things will further stress your new gecko.

 

[kholtme]

ugh! im so close. Ive been waiting a while to get one haha. Inside my hot hide my floor temp is 91 degrees. My air temp on the warm side is 78 degrees now with the che, but its only been plugged in for an hour so it might need more time to warm up the air around it. Im hoping to get the air temp 4 inches above the ground to around 80 to 84, if not i may need a 150 watt che and a dimmer.

 

[hmarie186]

I would not aim for 85, that's a max temp. Mine is about 70-73 in winter and about 78 in summer (CHE isn't used in summer). An average room temp is fine for them. Ground temps are way more important. I would keep the CHE wattage as you have it.

 

[kholtme]

Okay, thanks. I just checked again, air temp on warm side is 78 still so i think thats where its going to stay. As for my ground temp it has been constantly around 91 degrees for a few days. Do you still think I should wait a day or two? The pet shop you recommended closes at 7 and i asked and they said they have 2 males in right now that are about a year old.

 

[hmarie186]

I would give it 24 hours. Leopards don't sell real quick there so I don't think it would hurt if a day went by. I love going in there. The owner is so nice and cares about the animals alot. Unfortunately we live about an hour and a half away from there so don't get to go often.