Enclosure Choice for a brand new reptile owner

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kiwifeathers

New member
Hi all!

I'm looking at getting a leopard gecko, after deciding I don't want to keep fish any more (I've been battling with the tap water ever since moving to my current location and am kind of over it lol). I've never kept a reptile before, so I want to do my research and make sure I'm doing things right.

Reptile choices in New Zealand are very limited so I decided to go with a leopard gecko. There aren't really any around right now, so I have lots of time to research and get my set up.

And just like reptile species available are limited, so too are the enclosure choices. I'd love some advice on which of the couple available options are the best one to go with for a single gecko. As I understand it tall enclosures are pointless for leos because they don't really climb, so eliminating those and the ones I am pretty sure are too small, there are like two options lol.

1: Reptile One Saburra Vivarium & Cabinet 90 Combo - Reptile Habitats & Stands - Reptile

2: Exo Terra Glass Terrarium - Advanced Reptile Habitat

Which of these is best, in your opinions?
 
A

acpart

Well-known member
Welcome to GU! The Exoterra 45x45x45 looks like the best bet for the price. The Saburra is a good size if you want to house 3 geckos but pretty pricy. If you're a fish person getting rid of the fish, don't you have an aquarium that approximates 75x30cm (equivalent of a 20 gallon long)? If you get a mesh cover, you would be fine.

Aliza
 
K

kiwifeathers

New member
acpart said:
Welcome to GU! The Exoterra 45x45x45 looks like the best bet for the price. The Saburra is a good size if you want to house 3 geckos but pretty pricy. If you're a fish person getting rid of the fish, don't you have an aquarium that approximates 75x30cm (equivalent of a 20 gallon long)? If you get a mesh cover, you would be fine.

Aliza
Click to expand...

Thank you for the welcome! I've always found forums like these wonderfully helpful with my fish.

There might be a smaller Saburra around somewhere; if there is a smaller model would you still choose the Exoterra? Unfortunately anything related to birds/fish/reptiles in NZ is so pricey!

My last remaining aquarium is an Aqua One 620 (90L or about 23G). I didn't think it would convert for leopard geckos well though because of the shape? As I understand it having access from the front is better as well? I want to make sure whatever I use is well suited.
 
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acpart

Well-known member
Leopard geckos are terrestrial, so there's no need for front opening. The most important thing for a leopard gecko is floor square footage (or square meterage in your case, I guess) and enough length so that a heat pad on one side will give it a good heat gradient. I looked at the Aqua One 620. It's dimensions aren't that different from the Exo Terra 45x45x45, so if you want to use what you have, I don't think it's a problem. I have a pair of retired breeders in a 26 gallon bow front and they're doing fine.

Aliza
 
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Elliriyanna

Member
personally I would get the 60x45x45, Its a great size for one. i had bought the same size the first time I got a leo. You could also just look at used fish tanks and save money that way. Finding a screen top for your Aqua One 620 could be a challenge
 
Zux

Zux

New member
My advice is to go for the largest 'terrestrial' enclosure you can afford.

Respectfully disagreeing with above, I have always found that front opening doors make things significantly more convenient when caring for a Leopard Gecko or any Lizard for that matter. As a new reptile owner you are likely to wish to interact and tame your new pet, being able to do this from the front makes things significantly easier and stress free on both of you, many of the Leopard Geckos natural predators come from the air and they are naturally scared of anything coming from that direction. Not only that but the general tank maintenance as-well as feeding and so on all become much easier and more enjoyable for you as a keeper.

One final point, Leopard Geckos will appreciate and indeed use as much space as you can give them, no enclosure is too large but many are too small so keep that in mind when choosing. Consider the enclosure an investment for the Geckos life, which will be 20 years long with proper care, with that in mind a 1.5 foot squared area isn't much space.


Good Luck !

PS: Building a wooden/melamine enclosure with sliding glass doors is a very simple process and is perhaps something you might wish to consider if enclosure choice really does become difficult in the end. I can provide you with guides on how to do it if you wish, both text and video.
 
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acpart

Well-known member
Yes, I agree that front opening is easier and actually most of my enclosures are front opening. I was more thinking along the lines of saving money, though that wasn't stated as an objective.

Aliza
 
K

kiwifeathers

New member
Thanks to both of you for your advice. Obviously I would like to keep costs down as much as possible, but I also want to offer the best enclosure I can afford. The cost of those two options I can do. I could probably find a second-hand one cheaper as well. Not really handy enough to make one I think lol.

There is actually a deal on at a store for a really big enclosure and stand combo. It's making me think about other species options. Which in NZ is bearded dragons or blue tongues lol I had counted them out because of the size requirements but with this deal I think I could do one. Need to weigh up the three options I think. Can someone recommend a good general reptile forum where I could ask questions about these other two species? I know everyone here will probably be loyal and say still get a gecko :p

Seems I have some more thinking and research to do. Luckily I have months to do so.
 
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