Leopard gecko natural tank: 26 gallon bowfront

[9darlingcalvi]

This is my first ever reptile and first ever documented tank build so bear with me. I am getting a normal type Leo and getting the supplies in the next week or two. I am trying to make this look good and be functional at the same time.
Tank: 26 gallon aqueon bowfront
Heating: 10-20 gallon zoomed heat pad
Lighting: 18" 15 watt T8 bulb (natural light)
Substrate: 55% excavator, 20% red sand, 15% white sand, 10% coco fiber
And that's the main stuff, I have calcium with D3 and multivitamins without D3, a thermostat, timer for light, waterbowl a, moist hide, Mopani wood, 2 digital probe thermometers and a hydrometer.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Can't tell whether you saw this post in your other thread. It's well worth a read!

Click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...wisss-terrarium.html?highlight=excavator+clay

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Did you see where Shane's wooden leo vivariums measure 4 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet?

I really just want you to have a successful experience with your first leo. That's all.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

According to a search I did the 26 gallon Aqueon bowfront has these dimensions: 24 x 15 x 21 inches tall.

To really be functional it's good to have at least 30 inches in length. Height above 12 inches is useful if you plan to make a 2nd level that's heated.

If your leo has adequate heat for at least half the ground space he'll be more active. Otherwise he'll stay glued to the heat mat.

Zoo Med's 10-20 gallon heat mat is too small.
Item Number: RH-4
Size: Small
Dimension: 6" x 8" (15 x 20 cm)
Wattage: 8 w
Gal Size: 10-20

 

[9darlingcalvi]

So a 30-40 mat and then a heat lamp for the 2nd level? Also I have to make a screen top so I'm thinking right before the bow put a piece of wood and the back will be screen, attach hinges to the wood and the whole front section will be plexi glass with a handle on it

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So a 30-40 mat and then a heat lamp for the 2nd level? Also I have to make a screen top so I'm thinking right before the bow put a piece of wood and the back will be screen, attach hinges to the wood and the whole front section will be plexi glass with a handle on it

Did you already have the 26 gallon bowfront? I'd go back to the drawing board on your other thread.

Excavator Clay has heat conducting issues.

Instead of any Zoo Med heat mat (because of the dimensions & permanent stick-on), I recommend an 11 x 11 inch Ultratherm. Heat cables provide even better coverage. That depends upon the Excavator Clay.

• Depending how thick your Excavator Clay mix is, the heat from the mat may be blocked. Check out swisswiss's thread. The search function is one joy of forums like GU. In every thread we can't reinvent the wheel, but we can link stuff.
  
  You could have the warm hide(s) on the upper level. A similarly warm moist hide is also needed somewhere. Those hides is where leos spend the majority of their days.
  
  
• The 18 inch strip fluorescent will be too bright for a 24 inch long enclosure.
  
  
• How will you heat the upper level? How will you construct it? Sometimes one makes ramps and wooden platforms for that second layer. Ceramic Heat Emitters only produce heat. The lowest wattage CHEs come in is about 30 watts.
  
  
• Here's how acpart (Aliza) heats the upper levels of her leo enclosures:
  

 

[9darlingcalvi]

So your telling me trash everything and start over

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So your telling me trash everything and start over

Yes.

IF you had a longer vivarium, some of your plans would work.

 

[9darlingcalvi]

Discouragement much