Full leopard gecko setup/ cost

[Beginner gecko]

Bit if background real quick. I don’t own any reptiles I haven’t owned any and I’m looking into a leopard gecko quite extensively, however I find lots of this relatively difficult and I just overall feel kind of confused. I also apologize if this thread is already made. I searched the title nothing came up so I’m assuming I’m safe in that regard.
Anyways I was just hoping someone with considerable experience and such to help me with like a full leopard gecko setup w/ cost if possible. If you don’t feel like looking all of this up (which is understandable) then please maybe list your setup with approximate prices.
I want a baby so if you could also include price approximation for a varied healthy diet for a baby gecko that would be amazing. Please also include some sort of bi weekly diet or something that would be very helpful and also another reason I prefer the help from someone who has had a healthy or healthy lizards for several years as sort of proof this is a working diet.
Ok this is kind of a large task so you don’t need to do all of it of course, however help in any of these areas is incredibly appreciated. Thanks guys.
P.s. sorry for the length.

 

[echopaw]

OK! here we gooooo!
20 gallon tank-$40 at petco
20 g tank lid-$14 at chewy.com
Fluker's 11x11 UTH-$25 at amazon(i think)
decor cost will vary
you may need a ceramic heat emitter
i'll post more later

 

[acpart]

Here's a first-round approximation for the supplies with price ranges:
a. 20 gallon long enclosure with cover: if you buy it at the pet store, it could cost as much as $50, but if you're patient and use Facebook and craigslist, you could probably get one for $20 or less

b. heater and thermostat: about $50 for both if you shop wisely

c. substrate (bottom of the tank): less than $5 if you get ceramic tiles and can have one cut in half for you. Repti-carpet is probably about the same, and paper towels obviously cost a lot less

d. hides, bowls, etc: Once again, it could run you up to $20 at the pet store and a lot less if you check craigslist etc. and/or make your own

e. Calcium with D3 (I recommend Rapashy plus, but others may prefer something else) $15

Note that the items above will all last a long time.
I'll let others comment on the food. Most of us recommend not getting a gecko at the big box pet stores. See if there's a reptile expo near you.

One of the most common concerns I hear is that there is conflicting advice about leopard gecko care. That's because there's more than one way to do things. Read a bunch of care sheets, go with the advice that repeats over and over and ask about the specific conflicting advice. It's useful to get someone to tell you why each type of advice is recommended, which may help you make a decision about what to do

Aliza

 

[Beginner gecko]

Here's a first-round approximation for the supplies with price ranges:
a. 20 gallon long enclosure with cover: if you buy it at the pet store, it could cost as much as $50, but if you're patient and use Facebook and craigslist, you could probably get one for $20 or less

b. heater and thermostat: about $50 for both if you shop wisely

c. substrate (bottom of the tank): less than $5 if you get ceramic tiles and can have one cut in half for you. Repti-carpet is probably about the same, and paper towels obviously cost a lot less

d. hides, bowls, etc: Once again, it could run you up to $20 at the pet store and a lot less if you check craigslist etc. and/or make your own

e. Calcium with D3 (I recommend Rapashy plus, but others may prefer something else) $15

Note that the items above will all last a long time.
I'll let others comment on the food. Most of us recommend not getting a gecko at the big box pet stores. See if there's a reptile expo near you.

One of the most common concerns I hear is that there is conflicting advice about leopard gecko care. That's because there's more than one way to do things. Read a bunch of care sheets, go with the advice that repeats over and over and ask about the specific conflicting advice. It's useful to get someone to tell you why each type of advice is recommended, which may help you make a decision about what to do

Aliza

To start just a big thanks for responding so quickly and for a pretty in depth/helpful response but you mentioned calcium with d3 I’ve heard from some places notably a YouTubed “leopard gecko” who say/says that you should separate them and have a multivitamin (I’m assume contains d3) and just 10% calcium powder. Is that correct?

 

[logan1234]

I'll try to run down the basic things that you will need. This is what I use, but you can definitely get stuff cheaper. I would check craigslist in your area!


20 gallon LONG tank - Some chain pet stores have a $1/gal sale throughout the year.
A screen lid - Around $13 is what I payed for one

Fluker's 11x17 Under Tank Heater (UTH) Possibly 11x11.. Although, I have used a 11x17 for a 20g long - (11x11) https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...8&qid=1514686161&sr=8-3&keywords=11x11+fluker

(11x17) https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...8&qid=1514686320&sr=8-1&keywords=11x11+fluker

You need at least 3 hides. One on the warm end, one on the colder end, and one that you spray daily on the WARM end.. the last one helps with shedding.
Hides I use
Moist hide - https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Ge...&sr=1-1&keywords=moist+hide+for+leopard+gecko

Warm end or a Colder end hide - https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Re...TF8&qid=1514686564&sr=1-9&keywords=gecko+cave
(You can also use old correctly sized tupperware containers with holes cut into them, but make sure that it isn't sharp though!)

If it gets colder where you are, you can also use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) on the warm side for air temperatures.

What I use
Dome - https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...14686805&sr=1-1&keywords=flukers+10+inch+dome
Whichever dome you pick, make sure you pick one with that is Ceramic where the top is (Normal ones will melt)

CHE Bulb - https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...ngs-reptile-ceramic-heat-emitter-5195326.html

You need thermostats for the UTH and CHE. I use this -
https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contr...&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=jumpstart+thermostat

Substrate is a debated topic, but I have knowledge that paper towel and tile are safe

I don't know much about feeding a young leo, but I would check out various care sheets for this information.

EDIT: I used Elizabeth Freer's caresheet when I began. It is really helpful, and you should check it out.
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...mo-video-4-jan-2013-update-15.html#post473888

 

[Beginner gecko]

I'll try to run down the basic things that you will need. This is what I use, but you can definitely get stuff cheaper. I would check craigslist in your area!


20 gallon LONG tank - Some chain pet stores have a $1/gal sale throughout the year.
A screen lid - Around $13 is what I payed for one

Fluker's 11x17 Under Tank Heater (UTH) Possibly 11x11.. Although, I have used a 11x17 for a 20g long - (11x11) https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...8&qid=1514686161&sr=8-3&keywords=11x11+fluker

(11x17) https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...8&qid=1514686320&sr=8-1&keywords=11x11+fluker

You need at least 3 hides. One on the warm end, one on the colder end, and one that you spray daily on the WARM end.. the last one helps with shedding.
Hides I use
Moist hide - https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Ge...&sr=1-1&keywords=moist+hide+for+leopard+gecko

Warm end or a Colder end hide - https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Re...TF8&qid=1514686564&sr=1-9&keywords=gecko+cave
(You can also use old correctly sized tupperware containers with holes cut into them, but make sure that it isn't sharp though!)

If it gets colder where you are, you can also use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) on the warm side for air temperatures.

What I use
Dome - https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...14686805&sr=1-1&keywords=flukers+10+inch+dome
Whichever dome you pick, make sure you pick one with that is Ceramic where the top is (Normal ones will melt)

CHE Bulb - https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...ngs-reptile-ceramic-heat-emitter-5195326.html

You need thermostats for the UTH and CHE. I use this -
https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contr...&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=jumpstart+thermostat

Substrate is a debated topic, but I have knowledge that paper towel and tile are safe

I don't know much about feeding a young leo, but I would check out various care sheets for this information.

EDIT: I used Elizabeth Freer's caresheet when I began. It is really helpful, and you should check it out.
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...mo-video-4-jan-2013-update-15.html#post473888

That was incredibly helpful but I have a few questions she is a CHE bulb or whatever and my house temp is 66-68 in winter 70 in summer will a UTH alone keep my tank at the required temps would you happen know. Also regarding moist hides lots of conflict here. I’ve heard use a Tupperware with moist paper towel on bottom near shedding along with the two hides, I’ve heard just spray the warm hide I’ve heard just spray the cool hide, any advice here? Honestly at the moment I’m shooting more for the Tupperware cause is three hides kind of crowded? So if it’s not really that over crowded I’ll get a third but if not I’ll just put a Tupperware in when h/she looks whiter? Suggestions here?

 

[acpart]

To start just a big thanks for responding so quickly and for a pretty in depth/helpful response but you mentioned calcium with d3 I’ve heard from some places notably a YouTubed “leopard gecko” who say/says that you should separate them and have a multivitamin (I’m assume contains d3) and just 10% calcium powder. Is that correct?

Some people prefer to alternate dusting the feeders with plain calcium and then with a vitamin/mineral supplement that also contains D3. I have been using Repashy Calcium plus which is an all in one (and I think also has vitamin A in a form that works for leopard geckos) since 2009 with good success.

Aliza

 

[logan1234]

A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer or a temp gun (and controlled by a thermostat set at 91*F/32.8*C):

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

These are the temperatures you are trying to achieve with the UTH and CHE. That is from the care sheet by Elizabeth Freer I linked in my first post.
( https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digi...0&sr=8-3&keywords=zoo+med+digital+thermometer )
To measure the temps, I use 3 of these for a quick glance. One under the warm hide, one a few inches above the warm hide, and one either in or above the cold hide. For a more precise floor temperature reading I use a infrared thermometer gun. You can find those online and at Walmart.
( https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...&rh=n:2619533011,k:infrared+thermometer&ajr=0 )

For the hides, you need at least 3 total. One on the warm end that you keep dry, one on the warm end that you spray, and one that is kept dry on the colder end. I just keep in all three hides at all times and spray the "moist" hide daily. Sometimes mine has gone through shed without me noticing he was about to.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

If you get the 20 long enclosure (30 x 12 x 12 inches tall), I highly recommend an 11 x 17 inch Ultratherm heat mat now. Lately I've heard +++ feedback on Ultratherms. My friend said she's never had an Ultratherm fail! The reason for the larger mat: Heat drops off almost immediately when off the mat. For you I suggest leaving a heat mat on 24/7. You'll probably want to have a CHE too. Then that's 2 separate thermostats.

For older leopard geckos, please check schedules 125 and 126 in the Table of Contents linked in my signature.

Weekly Schedule 124 for Leopard Geckos 12 months old & under​

Crickets or dubia >> Monday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Mealworms >> Tuesday
Crickets or dubia >> Wednesday - lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW human brand calcium) without D3
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday
Crickets or dubia >> Friday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Mealworms >> Saturday
No food or free choice >> Sunday

Future weeks:
Continue on since all weeks are identical. . . . . .

Click: Why I use and highly recommend Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 & Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins without D3?