Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
:biggrin:
Fig Progression Thread
- Thread starter LeopardGecc
- Start date
:biggrin:
LeopardGecc
New member
Alright. I checked her temps and the cool end was 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the warm end was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Is that okay? I also cleaned out her tank.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
That's perfect!
LeopardGecc
New member
Update! Okay, so I did a few things. I got her a tank background, and I think it looks amazing! I will post pics! Second, I have been holding her quite frequently but today I racked up the courage to get her out completely. I sat on the floor with her and she was a total sweetheart! All is pretty much going well, except I've noticed every now and then her tank gets a bit too hot. Is there anything I can do to prevent that? I currently have a 75 watt bulb, should I go lower? She is in a 20 gallon long. Thanks!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Are you currently using a heat mat as well as a 75 watt bulb? What type bulb?
Can you get a thermostat to control the mat? If you need a bulb overhead as well, you'll really need a second thermostat.
LeopardGecc
New member
Yes, I am using a heat mat with a jumpstart thermostat set always around 90°F. I have a zoo med 75 watt basking bulb. And I have heard a lot of debate, do leos really need a light?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Leos need to be able to distinguish between day and night. If the room is chilly, a ceramic heat emitter warms the air. A leo is more likely to be out and about when he does not need to hug his UTH to keep warm. Heat mats really only warm the area where they are fastened, not much more.
Have you been turning the 75 watt bulb off at night? What is the air temp 4 inches above ground on the warm end with the 75 watt on and off?
Is Fig's enclosure in a room with lots of daylight? If not, consider photoperiod lighting.
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I second this. Elizabeth is amazing!
To the OP, I don’t know how old you are, but I would never have been as caring and thoughtful about an exotic animal’s environment as a child/teenager. Good for you and I hope my 8yo daughter ends up even half as compassionate as you with her first gecko!
LeopardGecc
New member
Thank you so much Keith! That also happens to be my brother's name LOL!
I turn the light off at 8 pm and on again at 8 am. With the light on, the temp 4" above the ground is currently 90F. With the light off it is usually in the low 80s and high 70s. And my room has a ton of natural light because of my huge windows, but I usually keep the curtains closed to keep it cool. Does that all sound right?
Also, today I was so amazed! I had her on my lap and I noticed that she was shedding! I actually got to see her shed, and thought it was so cool! She lost interest after a while, so I offered my help and she DID NOT want it LOL! I left her alone and have been checking on her every now and then.
I turn the light off at 8 pm and on again at 8 am. With the light on, the temp 4" above the ground is currently 90F. With the light off it is usually in the low 80s and high 70s. And my room has a ton of natural light because of my huge windows, but I usually keep the curtains closed to keep it cool. Does that all sound right?
Also, today I was so amazed! I had her on my lap and I noticed that she was shedding! I actually got to see her shed, and thought it was so cool! She lost interest after a while, so I offered my help and she DID NOT want it LOL! I left her alone and have been checking on her every now and then.
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LeopardGecc
New member
Alrighty! I deleted my last post and added this one since I didn't really have anything interesting to say LOL. I have a quick question. I was talking to my vet, (telling her my substrate, what I feed her, etc.) and she says that leopard geckos need UVB. Fig doesn't get much natural light, but I've always heard that leopard geckos don't need UVB and no one that I know uses it. So is it really necessary? And is it is, do I turn it on day or night? With or without my regular light? Sorry, I didn't think about this at all!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Did you reduce your overhead 75 watt bulb via a dimmer/rheostat or a lesser watt bulb?
I really think that leos need a minimum 3 foot, probably 4 foot, long enclosure when you use UVB. [MENTION=61662]Seth9999[/MENTION] has built 4 foot long enclosures for both his leos. He also bought a Solarmeter to measure the rays. Solarmeters are pricey, over $200. Your 20 long is not large enough for UVB.
Your leo will do just fine with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 and Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins without D3 as recommended on Schedule 124.
How much light does Fig get during the day? Can she easily tell day from night?
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I don’t have a lot of practical experience, but I did tons of research on the subject while setting up Yoshi’s Vivarium. My understanding is that wild Leopard Geckos get most of their vitamin D from sun exposure in the morning and evening, thus absolutely need UVB. In captivity, UVB isn’t required since there are good supplements on the market.
The subject was confusing enough for me that I took the middle road. I primarily use Repashy vitamin supplementation, but also provide a 13w compact fluorescent UVB lamp on the warm side, illuminated 12 hours/day. It’s a weak lamp shining through screen, so may not be doing any good, but it doubles as Yoshi’s daylight cycle so certainly doesn’t do any harm.
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LeopardGecc
New member
Okay, I apologize in advance if I posted this twice, my computer is having a tantrum!
To answer your questions Elizabeth: I switched to a lower wattage bulb and I have been monitoring it closely. It seems to always be in the perfect range, so do I really need a thermostat or should I get one just to be safe? And I do have the proper vitamins. You are saying the 20L tank is to small for a UVB light, right? It's an okay size for her? Fig gets 12 hours of day and twelve hours of dark. I turn her light on at 8am and off at 8pm.
Thank you so much Elizabeth and Keith! Sorry for all of the questions, I just want to be sure we are on the same page!
To answer your questions Elizabeth: I switched to a lower wattage bulb and I have been monitoring it closely. It seems to always be in the perfect range, so do I really need a thermostat or should I get one just to be safe? And I do have the proper vitamins. You are saying the 20L tank is to small for a UVB light, right? It's an okay size for her? Fig gets 12 hours of day and twelve hours of dark. I turn her light on at 8am and off at 8pm.
Thank you so much Elizabeth and Keith! Sorry for all of the questions, I just want to be sure we are on the same page!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
You ARE welcome.
I recommend a thermostat for safety -- just in case the heat mat malfunctions and overheats.
A 20L is fine for Fig, just too small for UVB I think. In the fall and winter you could reduce the hours of light. Home Depot carries an analog timer for just $4. I use one on most my setups.
Click: Sunrise Sunset Daylight Hours of Pakistan -- Timebie
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LeopardGecc
New member
Cool! I have one of the zoo med timers, do those work? And I have the jumpstart thermostat for the heat mat, can you recommend a good one for the light?
If you have an iPhone or Android, I vote for the TP-Link HS100. I got mine for $25 off Amazon and it’s amazing. Here’s a screenshot from my phone...
LeopardGecc
New member
Thank you so much! I do happen to habe an android, so perfect! I will order it right after my jumping lesson. Have a good night, or maybe day for you
LeopardGecc
New member
Hello! I have been noticing that she has been trying to dig in the paper towels a lot, so I was thinking of switching her to Eco Earth or at least put some in there. But I got worried, I heard that leos actually can get impacted by Eco Earth? Is this true, is it safe for her? Thank you!!!
GeckoLeen
New member
The Zoo Med Repti Temp gets very good reviews!
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Rept...=1524753429&sr=8-1&keywords=zoo+med+reptitemp
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Rept...=1524753429&sr=8-1&keywords=zoo+med+reptitemp
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Some leos eat paper towels and coco fiber. Try dampened Eco Earth's coco fiber. Fig might approve.
I use sphagnum moss in my leo's humid hide.