Few quick questions

[Reapy~25]

Hello! I have a few quick questions for y'all. I am researching leopard gecko care for when I get a leopard gecko, hopefully in a few months.

1) Do they need a basking spot? I have read varying opinions on the subject, some said they didn't need it and others said that we do. I know they need a UTH, but if they need a basking spot, do they need both?

2) Do they need a UV light? I know that Leopard Gecko on YouTube has it for a couple of her lizards, but is it necessary? And if so, how does that affect the supplements dusted on the crickets?

That's all for now, I'll post some more if I think of anything else. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tedward]

Welcome to GU! There's tons of information and informative people here.

1. Some people say they need basking some don't. I would definitely go with a UTH and always have that hooked up to a thermostat. You can get a great thermostat on Amazon for $20ish.

2. I watched her videos too very informative as well. Again, you can go with uvb , it's not necessary as Leos sleep a majority of the day. Just seems easier to not have uvb lights and just use the proper supplements in the right schedule.

Good luck with your research and your future Leo!

 

[Reapy~25]

Thank you so much that definitely answered my questions!

 

[Reapy~25]

Which vivarium is best?

Hello!

I have been searching for an enclosure for my future leopard gecko and have narrowed it down to two options.

My first option is the Exo Terra Medium wide.

My second option is a Vivexotic Viva Reptihome medium enclosure.

The exo terra is more expensive, and smaller, but easier to heat. The vivexotic is cheaper, larger, but harder to heat, because it is wooden.

I am planning to heat my vivarium with a ceramic heater and a heat mat. I don't know how to use the ceramic heater with the wooden vivexotic, so if I can't figure out how, I will end up going with the Exo terra.

If anyone has heated a wooden enclosure with a caramic heater before, can you please share how?

Also, on an unrelated note, what lights should I use to provide a light cycle without using UVB, because I plan to supplement that.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Seth9999]

Well you can't heat threw wooden floor. Leopard geckos need belly more important than any other way . Irs how they digest food.
I have wooden floors in mine , but it has two floors, wood 1st then space, second plexiglass floor. It's work, must drill holes in floor to vent, holes in back run wires. Will second floor be to high for door. I built mine, planed all that ahead.
Geckos like warm up after they eat or after they wake up from their naps witch or mostly on cool side.
One spot on warm end needs be 91, under warm hide. Air temp no higher then 82 on warm side.
The rest needs be cool. They like be cool, but can warm up. Both mine stay on cool side, but go over to warm side .
Over head ceramic heating element is good for winter. I have one on over warm side on real low. Floor is putting off plenty, or just right amount of heat do job.
A terruiam with glass bottom is easiest. Heating pad cover one side under neath, tile top. Tile is best for holding , conducting heat. I have tile and carpet.

 

[Hilde]

I've merged your two threads into one, since both topics are related. It's easier to deal with them in one spot.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Here are a couple links which show examples how to heat enclosures with wooden floors.

• For 60a click: Heating Melamine & Wooden Enclosures: Hilde, mecoat, acpart, JIMI & 60b (post 117) -- continues with JIMI’s leopard gecko Theseus’ enclosure
• For 117 (& 60a) click: Placement of UTHs & Heat Cables Inside Melamine & Wooden Leo Enclosures