Hello!

[Garcia]

Hi, I'm new to this forum (and leopard geckos) and thought I would say hello! I don't usually post much on forums and I'm more of a lurker, lol. I just got my Leo a few days ago and he's awesome! This is him and his set up Ive got him in a 10 gallon tank with a zoomed UTH on the right side as well as a daytime only bulb to keep temperatures higher during the day. The raised box is his humid hide (let me know if a raised hide is a good idea) with Moss inside. The log on the left is his cold hide and the middle rock hide was just a spare I decided to put in there. If I'm missing anything or should change anything please let me know (I just wanna do a good job, lol). Also I haven't thought of a name yet so... if you have any suggestions feel free to post them.

 

[mecoat]

How warm is it inside the humid hide? Raised up as it is (and it appears to be more on the cool side), I suspect it's quite cool. Cool moist conditions potentially lead to respiratory infections. If it's heated in some way, and your leo can easily and safely get into and out of the hide, then it being raised is not an issue.

 

[Garcia]

I'm not sure about the exact temperature tbh. I didn't even think of that. The only entrance however is facing the warm side and I mist it with warm water if that makes a difference. I'll be sure to check the temperature later.

 

[Aimless]

welcome to GU!

 

[Garcia]

Thanks aimless, btw did someone accidentally delete the first post in the thread?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'm not sure about the exact temperature tbh. I didn't even think of that. The only entrance however is facing the warm side and I mist it with warm water if that makes a difference. I'll be sure to check the temperature later.

Hi Garcia ~

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited. How about a dedicated thread for your new leo? That way all your inquiries will be together. There will be less chance of repeated advice.

Can you pick up one of those yellow Zoo Med digital thermometers with a probe soon for about $10? Cool temperatures may be why your leo regurgitated his superworms.

Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured by the probe of a digital thermometer

• 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) ground temperature right underneath a leo's warm dry hide
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Turn off overhead lighting/heating at night (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C) during the night.

Superworms are higher in fat than mealworms. Crickets and dubia roaches are much better.

Click: http://www.geckotime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/table-large.png

How about upgrading to a 20 gallon long: 30 x 12 x 12 inches?

 

[Garcia]

Hi Garcia ~

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited. How about a dedicated thread for your new leo? That way all your inquiries will be together. There will be less chance of repeated advice.

Can you pick up one of those yellow Zoo Med digital thermometers with a probe soon for about $10? Cool temperatures may be why your leo regurgitated his superworms.

Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured by the probe of a digital thermometer

• 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) ground temperature right underneath a leo's warm dry hide
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Turn off overhead lighting/heating at night (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C) during the night.

Superworms are higher in fat than mealworms. Crickets and dubia roaches are much better.

Click: http://www.geckotime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/table-large.png

How about upgrading to a 20 gallon long: 30 x 12 x 12 inches?

Went out and got those temps. He doesn't sleep in his warm hide at all, instead he sleeps out in the open on the warm side on some slate rocks I laid out for him so that's where I'm measuring the temperature.
Warm lay spot: 88.2F
Ambient warm side: 83F
Cool side: 72F
I'm not sure I want to upgrade to a 20 long just yet as he just started eating a few days ago and I don't want to stress him out anymore for the time being. Is a 10 long too small?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Went out and got those temps. He doesn't sleep in his warm hide at all, instead he sleeps out in the open on the warm side on some slate rocks I laid out for him so that's where I'm measuring the temperature.
Warm lay spot: 88.2F
Ambient warm side: 83F
Cool side: 72F
I'm not sure I want to upgrade to a 20 long just yet as he just started eating a few days ago and I don't want to stress him out anymore for the time being. Is a 10 long too small?

Your leo is very handsome. I love yellow leos.

Your temperatures look excellent!

If you wish, wait a month or so for an upgrade. A 10 gallon is really too small for a mature leo. It's difficult to fit 3 hides in a 10 gallon.

Here's an example (my leo's viv):

 

[Garcia]

Your leo is very handsome. I love yellow leos.

Your temperatures look excellent!

If you wish, wait a month or so for an upgrade. A 10 gallon is really too small for a mature leo. It's difficult to fit 3 hides in a 10 gallon.

Here's an example (my leo's viv):
View attachment 38692

I decided to take your advice! I went out and got him a 20 long since petco had a dollar per gallon sale and because I'm a sucker for spending money on my Leo (apparently). Since he loved laying on the slate so much I tiled his whole enclosure with slate tiles from home depot. Here's a picture of his home 2.0

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

:cheer:

You did the right thing! Now he has a nice playground instead.

Your slate looks good.

What did you do about the UTH? The wiring in Zoo Med UTHs can become damaged when removed. Zoo Med does not recommend reusing them. An 11 x 17 UTH is ideal for his new 20 L.

PS:
Use something underneath the 20L in the corners and in the center to provide necessary ventilation for your UTH. (small tiles, bottle caps, sticky rubber "feet")

 

[Garcia]

I got another uth heater for him, however it seems this one is getting temperatures to 97 degrees so I'm ordering a thermostat online as I haven't been able to find one in pet stores near me (at least one under 70 dollars). For now I'm keeping the UTH on a timer in 30 minute on/off intervals. I'm using the sticky rubber pieces that came with it to elevate the terrarium.
One question, I've noticed my Leo seems to lick his mouth alot... could he be dehydrated? The humidity in the tank seems to linger around 20% is this a problem?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I got another uth heater for him, however it seems this one is getting temperatures to 97 degrees so I'm ordering a thermostat online as I haven't been able to find one in pet stores near me (at least one under 70 dollars). For now I'm keeping the UTH on a timer in 30 minute on/off intervals. I'm using the sticky rubber pieces that came with it to elevate the terrarium.
One question, I've noticed my Leo seems to lick his mouth alot... could he be dehydrated? The humidity in the tank seems to linger around 20% is this a problem?

20% relative humidity is dry. :/ It's best to strive for 40-50% humidity for a leo. Your leo may be dehydrated. Have you seen him drink? One way to increase humidity is to leave a large water bowl in the enclosure 24/7.

• Is one of your warm hides moist 24/7?
• What size is your new UTH?

Here's a good thermostat many of us use. It's the only thermostat with a digital readout and a small metal probe. Click: Amazon.com : Jump Start MTPRTC, Digital ETL-Certified Heat Mat Thermostat for Seed Germination, Reptiles and Brewing : Plant Germination Heating Mats : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Garcia]

I've got a large shallow bowl in there and I've seen him drink occasionally. It seems like his bowl isn't enough compared to the Nevada desert, any other ideas? Yes he's got a moist hide but I've never seen him step foot in it. The UTH is the zoomed 10-20 gallon size one same as before.
Thanks for all the help btw

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I've got a large shallow bowl in there and I've seen him drink occasionally. It seems like his bowl isn't enough compared to the Nevada desert, any other ideas? Yes he's got a moist hide but I've never seen him step foot in it. The UTH is the zoomed 10-20 gallon size one same as before.
Thanks for all the help btw

You are welcome. Try adding a second water dish near the moist hide. You may need to cover part of the screen top with plexiglas or window glass.

Don't give up on your warm moist hide with the moss. Leos use it for hydration as well as for shedding.

Your gray stone hide is really cool! Did you make that?

Generally the ZM 10-20 gallon UTH is just not big enough for a 20L. In many situations, a leo will hug the UTH for belly heat and not move around very much. Try measuring ground temps an inch or so from the UTH. You'll see how fast temps usually drop.

What are your room temps during the day and at night?

 

[Britt005]

Yeah, I learned the same about Zoo Meds 10-20gl UTH the hard way as well. They make them look bigger with how they package them so I thought it'd be fine. Perhaps they aren't accounting for the long tanks, idk, but they are waaaay too small. Mine "broke" and I exchanged it for a bigger one. :rofl:

She is super cute btw, and your enclosure looks good. Gave me some ideas.

 

[Garcia]

Hey guys! It's been a while since I was last on here. I'm happy to report my Leo is doing excellent. Haven't had any problems shedding/ eating or anything for that matter!
Here's some updated pics.

 

[Garcia]

Yes I don't recall the name of it off the top of my head, but I alternate between plain crickets (so to speak) and calcium with d3 dusted and multivitamin dusted ones!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Have you ever seen him use the rope ladder and bridge?

Did you decide on some multivitamin product?

Looks like everything is going well!!! Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Garcia]

I catch him on the rope bridge alot actually haha. I've found that it keeps him busy at night time when he's out and exploring. I've never seen him actually rest on it but he sure does like to climb on and off of it repeatedly! It also seems to deter him from trying to climb the sides of the cage and falling over haha

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I catch him on the rope bridge alot actually haha. I've found that it keeps him busy at night time when he's out and exploring. I've never seen him actually rest on it but he sure does like to climb on and off of it repeatedly! It also seems to deter him from trying to climb the sides of the cage and falling over haha

I hope he's sure-footed!