`Do I have a correct list of what my leopard gecko will need?

[amsdadtodd]

I don't separate them. I have in the past, only to start a fresh colony, but there really isn't any reason not to keep them together.

I tried feeding a couple beetles to one of my leo's and he had no interest whatsoever. And, if you've seen pictures of my adult males, they obviously don't refuse much food!

 

[logan1234]

On every breeding thing I looked at they said to separate the mealworms/pupae/beetles because the beetles will eat the pupae. Would I only have to separate the pupae until they turn into beetles?

 

[amsdadtodd]

again, I never separate them. Yes, sometimes the beetles will eat one or two pupae, but it's hardly enough to make it worth going through the task of separating them. If you want to, then yes, go for it, but realistically the larvae will also eat the pupae. If you wanted to really maximize your throughput then yes, you would probably want to fish out the pupae, I've just never found it worth the effort.

Todd

 

[logan1234]

With the CHE when I get it, should I get a second zoomed thermometer, or will the hydrofarm be accurate enough when set to 80 for air temperatures?

And how would I change the oats for the mealworms?

 

[JessJohnson87]

I would get another thermometer to make sure that the thermostat is set to the right temperatures, then you can use that one to monitor the cool side temperatures. To change the oats, you'll have to get a sifter to sift out the worms and put them in like a butter container to change the oats, it's not as much of a pain as it sounds. You can get one of those plastic ones kids use at the beach or check for one at a store that sells kitchen supplies.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

With the CHE when I get it, should I get a second zoomed thermometer, or will the hydrofarm be accurate enough when set to 80 for air temperatures?

And how would I change the oats for the mealworms?

Getting a second digital thermometer with a probe will help you out with the air temperatures.

I agree with Jess's suggestion about a sieve to separate the mealworms from the oats. Safeway's also carries sieves that might work well.

 

[logan1234]

At pet supplies plus I saw the small containers of bearded dragon adult zoomed food. I also saw these things called cricket pillows, would they be better then paper towels?

Also someone that works at the store showed me a picture of one of there leopard geckos (male) that she said is full grown and around 8". She said she is selling him for 20$ but Idk if I can take the offer since I still need time to set up.

I also didn't see a zoomed digital thermometer at the store and I got a small sprayer from walmart for moistening the moist hide.

The CHE got here today and whenever I go to my dads ill try to test out all the temperatures.

 

[JessJohnson87]

You can always order the Zoo Med thermometer. I got my Leo for $15 so that's not bad for an adult. I used a meat thermometer to check the temperatures in my tank until I got a Zoo Med one. My meat thermometer has a cord attached to the probe that plugs into the read out box, got it at Walmart for like $12-15.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

How old is the leo you saw in the picture? I think you're almost ready.

Just lay a paper towel on top of the egg flats and spray it. You could dampen the paper towel and squeeze out the excess water.

Cricket pillows seem like an unnecessary expense.

 

[logan1234]

This is my "Personal Caresheet" I made for my leopard gecko. I have some questions at the end so look at them and answer them please.

Also please tell me anything that needs changed or edited.

--------->CRICKET CARE<----------

Feed Zoo med adult bearded dragon food to the crickets.

Use Fluker's cricket quencher/or a wet paper towel in a lid

Buy 1/2 inch crickets from millbrookcrickets.com, or armstrong
(Buy 200 large crickets from pet supplies plus / Eastern pet supply)

Buy eggflats on amazon if needed / Get from brother

Clean cricket tub monthly

Change bearded dragon food only if it gets wet/runs out

Check the damp paper towel for the crickets hydration every day.
(Spray paper towel for crickets twice a day.)

Keep crickets at room temperature.

-------------------------------------------------------------
--------->MEALWORM CARE<---------

Put oats 1" deep in a 6 quart container.

Keep mealworms/beetles in same container.

Change oats monthy with a sifter.

Check the carrots/oats for the mealworms daily
for mold or if the carrots aren't moist anymore.

Don't refrigerate mealworms, it dehydrates and purges them of nutrients

Keep the mealworms at room temperature.


-------------------------------------------------------------

----------> FEEDING SCHEDULE<----------

Feed the leopard gecko crickets 2x per week and mealworms 1x per week.
Crickets>Monday Crickets>Thursday Mealworms>Saturday

Use zoomed repti calcium with D3 1x per week. Lightly dust it on -SOME- (Half) of the crickets,
not every cricket.

Use plain (No D3) Zoo med reptivite lightly dusted on 4 crickets every other week or 2x
month.

Monthly schedule

Week 1:
Crickets>Monday- D3 Repti Calcium
Crickets>Thursday- no dusting
Mealworms>Saturday- no dusting

Week 2:
Crickets>Monday- D3 Repti Calcium
Crickets>Thursday- plain (No D3) Reptivite
Mealworms>Saturday- no dusting

Week 3:
Crickets>Monday- D3 Repti Calcium
Crickets>Thursday- no dusting
Mealworms>Saturday- no dusting

Week 4:
Crickets>Monday- D3 Repti Calcium
Crickets>Thursday- plain (No D3) Reptivite
Mealworms>Saturday- no dusting


Zoo Med Repti Calcium With Vitamin D3 (D3 Repti Calcium)
Zoo Med Reptivite Without D3 (plain (no D3) Reptivite)

-------------------------------------------------------

-------->CLEANING<---------

Clean leopard gecko tank monthly with DAWN rense well.

Change paper towel substrate weekly

Spray moist hide twice a day with spray bottle.

Put a extra layer of paper towel where he goes to the bathroom

Spot clean poop every time it's seen.
------------------------------------------------------------

---------->TEMPERATURES<----------


Check temperatures Once/Twice daily

Warm dry hide/Warm moist hide: 88-92*F

Cooler end hide: No lower then 68F

Air temperature on warm end(4 Inches up) No greater then 85*F
(set hydrofarm around 80*F for CHE)

Air temperature on cool end: No greater then 75F

The minimum temperature on the warm end depends upon the Under Tank Heater and how much heat rises.

The minimum temperature on the cool end depends upon how cool the room is. It should not fall lower than 68*F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





QUESTIONS

Do I just leave the damp paper towel ontop of the egg crates or should I put it on the floor? Also should I just use a paper towel folded in half if I put it ontop of the eggflats?

Do I put the paper towel in a lid?

When I use repti calcium with d3 every first feeding of the week on how many crickets do I put it on?

When I use reptivite every other week do I only put it on around 4 of the crickets?

Whats the minimum air temperature for the warm end?

Whats the minimum air temperature for the cold end?

Whats an estimate of how often I should fully clean the tank with dawn and rinse?

Also the earliest I'm getting my leopard gecko is next weekend from that person at the pet shop. He is 2 years old.

 

[JessJohnson87]

1. I would keep the paper towel on the egg crate. It will get nasty faster on the floor with the cricket poop.
2. I would put the paper towel for the hydration of the crickets in a lid. You can use a cap from a milk jug
3. I would dust maybe 2 or 3 crickets depending on how many it eats
4.I would do the multivitamin the same way you do the calcium, 2 or 3 crickets.
5. Minimum warm side air temps of about 70-75*
6. Minimum cool side air temps of 65*
7. Once a month deep clean of the tank like you have in your care sheet and just the weekly spot cleanings.

 

[logan1234]

Which lid would work best?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Which lid would work best?

View attachment 37086

How about a 3.5 inch diameter x 3/4 inch deep lid for the cricket paper towels (the blue lids off 48 oz Jiff Peanut Butter)? The smaller lids may dry out too fast.

You can keep collards for the crickets in a separate blue lid.

 

[JessJohnson87]

Nice variety. I use the smaller blue lids for my crickets but they only stick around for a day before they get sent to the executioner.

 

[logan1234]

We have this lid, Its 3/4 inch deep but I don't know its diameter. Will it work?



EDIT: Ill also use the yellow lid to keep the bearded dragon food in instead of having it on the floor.

And do they have to have collard greens or can they just have a wet paper towel and bearded dragon food?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

We have this lid, Its 3/4 inch deep but I don't know its diameter.

View attachment 37092

EDIT: Ill also use the yellow lid to keep the bearded dragon food in instead of having it on the floor.

And do they have to have collard greens or can they just have a wet paper towel and bearded dragon food?

Lids work well. Once you get started it will be hands-on.

Crickets and mealworms need a moisture source about 24/7. Too much moisture will cause them to die.

Collard greens and romaine lettuce are good for crickets (high calcium, low phosphorus veggies). 24-48 hours ahead of feeding you can place your leo's meal in a separate vented plastic container with a few pellets of the beardie food and super high calcium veggies like collards.

Don't worry. I have seen your leo's Personal Care Sheet in post 270. I'm working on the reply.

 

[logan1234]

Also, I thought that you said in the past that I wouldn't need a gutload if I used Bearded dragon food?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

This is my "Personal Caresheet" I made for my leopard gecko. I have some questions at the end so look at them and answer them please.

Also please tell me anything that needs changed or edited.

......

QUESTIONS

Do I just leave the damp paper towel ontop of the egg crates or should I put it on the floor? Also should I just use a paper towel folded in half if I put it ontop of the eggflats?

Do I put the paper towel in a lid?

When I use repti calcium with d3 every first feeding of the week on how many crickets do I put it on?

When I use reptivite every other week do I only put it on around 4 of the crickets?

Whats the minimum air temperature for the warm end?

Whats the minimum air temperature for the cold end?

Whats an estimate of how often I should fully clean the tank with dawn and rinse?

Also the earliest I'm getting my leopard gecko is next weekend from that person at the pet shop. He is 2 years old.

Excellent personal leo care sheet, Logan! You get an A+++! To condense all the info you've received into a care sheet that's practical is impressive. I really mean that.

I'm sure you'll amend it for the final version.

1. When you first place the paper towels in your tank, spray them down. That will make them "stick" to the floor. That will prevent crickets from getting underneath the towels. Then place a folded up paper towel in the poop spot.
   
   Then it will be easy to toss in a cricket or 2, and let your leo hunt for them like they do in the wild. Free range hunting is actually better. It's more stimulating for a leo.
2. Spray the moist hide 1x daily. That will be enough.
3. Check the temps 1x daily.
4. You may not even need to clean with DAWN 1x per month. Maybe just changing the paper towels that get stained with urine will be enough. Plus frequent changing of the poop paper towels.
5. Every time you open the cage, it will be a little stressful for your leo. Ya know, "What's this Sasquatch doing checking out my home!"
6. Let your leo settle in for 2-3 weeks before really handling him. This will be hard for you, understandably. Introducing handling with baby steps (little by little) works best to develop a rapport with your leo.
7. Leave the UTH on 24/7 with temperature settings the same as during the day.
8. At night the cool end can dip to 65*F as the room temperature drops. During the day I'd keep the cool end from 70-75*F just like the room temperature.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Also, I thought that you said in the past that I wouldn't need a gutload if I used Bearded dragon food?

Gutloading means feeding the crickets something high calcium + their normal dry diet 24-48 hours before feeding them to your leo. It does not hurt to use a lid of collards all the time, but it gets pooped out. Collards will supply moisture just like paper towels.

Since you'll be using the adult beardie food 24/7 putting collards in a short time before feeding your leo is actually easier (and perfectly fine).

 

[JessJohnson87]

You can always do like I did, I bought some collards to grow for myself to eat. Once I harvested most to take with me when I went to visit family, I left a couple of the smaller plants to feed to my roaches and stuff. One plant will give you enough leaves to feed the crickets and you can grow them in a pot inside, so you don't have to deal with the cabbage worms.