Leopard Gecko Questions

[FallOutFighter]

I am going to be getting a leopard gecko soon and have a few questions

1. Can I keep a hatchling leo in a 20 gallon(30x12x12 inch) tank? Would it be to big for him/her? If so when would the leo be old enough for me to upgrade from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon?

2. I am going to keep a bottle cap filled with calcium without D3 in the tank at all times. Should I dust the feeder crickets calcium with or without D3? Would dusting the crickets with D3 every day cause a D3 overdose?

3. I am going to be using a plastic container with a whole cut into it for a moist hide. How often should I replace the moss in the moist hide and how often should I mist the moist hide? Should I place the moist hide on the side of the tank with the under tank header or the cool side?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I am going to be getting a leopard gecko soon and have a few questions

1. Can I keep a hatchling leo in a 20 gallon(30x12x12 inch) tank? Would it be to big for him/her? If so when would the leo be old enough for me to upgrade from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon?

Yes, definitely. A 30 x 12 x 12 will be ideal for even a hatchling leo. If the leo is not a giant morph, a 20 long would make a minimum forever home for him.

2. I am going to keep a bottle cap filled with calcium without D3 in the tank at all times. Should I dust the feeder crickets calcium with or without D3? Would dusting the crickets with D3 every day cause a D3 overdose?

I'd rather dust with plain calcium more often for a young leo than keep supplements in the enclosure. Calcium needs to be taken with food for absorption.

I'd never dust with D3 every day or even at every feeding. That would definitely be an overdose, since D3 is fat soluble and accumulates internally.

I use and recommend both Zoo Med's plain (no D3) Reptivite and Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3.

I also recommend Zoo Med's Natural Adult Bearded Dragon Food as your cricket food. If you use that, you'll need to reduce powdered supplements even further. That is a good thing.

3. I am going to be using a plastic container with a whole cut into it for a moist hide. How often should I replace the moss in the moist hide and how often should I mist the moist hide? Should I place the moist hide on the side of the tank with the under tank header or the cool side?

The moist hide goes on the warm end of the enclosure. The moss does not need changing often at all.

Have you seen my Leo Care Sheet? There are short versions right there too.

May I suggest something? How about creating one thread for your questions? That way members who pitch in can see where we've been. There will be less repetitions.

 

[FallOutFighter]

The moist hide goes on the warm end of the enclosure. The moss does not need changing often at all.

Have you seen my Leo Care Sheet? There are short versions right there too.

May I suggest something? How about creating one thread for your questions? That way members who pitch in can see where we've been. There will be less repetitions.

Thanks for the info. It helped clear some things up.