everything I need to Know

[Geecko123]

Hello, I want to give my leopard gecko the best home I can, you are free to say "DON'T DO THAT!!"

Anyway I'll have only one gecko, I'll have a 20 gallon tank with a UTH on one side, I'll have a warm hide, a cool hide, and a moist hide in the middle, in the moist hide I'll have small natural sea sponge since I've heard they work really well, and I'll be using natural slate tile. For food my main food source will be Dubia Roaches which I'll start a colony out off, Ill dust them along with having a bowl of calcium powder, for my UTH I'll have an in tank thermometer as long as a thermostat.

I think thats it, please tell me if im missing something or if im doing something wrong.

 

[acpart]

In general it sounds good. Just make sure you're using calcium plus vitamin D3 for dusting. Most people feel that there's no need for the calcium powder in the cage.

Aliza

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Please start here. Have you a 20 long: 30 x 12 x 12 inches high?

Place the humid hide right on top of the heat mat -- just like the warm dry hide.

For 81 (& 87) click: Leopard Gecko Care Sheet (abbreviated) -- July 2018 update (show handout)

 

[Geecko123]

yes, I have a 20 long, I have made all of my hides my humid hide is a big upside down yogurt conatainer witha lid and a hole on one side, will that work?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

yes, I have a 20 long, I have made all of my hides my humid hide is a big upside down yogurt conatainer witha lid and a hole on one side, will that work?

Thanks.

Your humid hide sounds great! You're using the lid as well! If humid hides are nearly completely closed off, they'll retain humidity longer.

 

[Geecko123]

with the food, I'll be using Dubia Roaches, hopefully whenever I go to the pet store I'll pick up a few treat insects for change, also do I have to dust the roaches with supplement powder everytime or like, every other feeding?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

with the food, I'll be using Dubia Roaches, hopefully whenever I go to the pet I'll pick up a few treat insects for change, also do I have to dust the roaches with supplement powder everytime or like, every other feeding?

How old or long is your leo? Please share a photo.

Have you supplements right now? If so share the brand and exact name of those supplement(s). Then I'll be able to post a schedule.

 

[Geecko123]

I don't have him yet, in my first post I said "I'll have only one gecko", but it's most probably just going to be a the common Leopard gecko, no morphs, and he will (if the petstore has one) be probably around the age range of 1-2 or older, I have an old 20 gallon tank which Im going to use.

my supplements will be, Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with D-3, should I get the 3.2 ounce or the 16 ounce?

 

[Reapy~25]

Hi! I just wanted to chime in and say you should probably try to find a breeder or upcoming reptile expo before you go straight to the petstore, as most pet stores take poor care of their leos, which could result in sickness and death.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I don't have him yet, in my first post I said "I'll have only one gecko", but it's most probably just going to be a the common Leopard gecko, no morphs, and he will (if the petstore has one) be probably around the age range of 1-2 or older, I have an old 20 gallon tank which Im going to use.

my supplements will be, Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with D-3, should I get the 3.2 ounce or the 16 ounce?

Thanks. 1-2 months old or years old?

Vitamin D3 has a shelf life -- expiration date, so get the 3.2 ounce.

Exo Terra produces inferior supplements. Exo Terra multivitamins contain very little calcium carbonate per dose. Check them on these links.

• For 24 click: Calcium powders with D3: Zoo Med, Rep-Cal, Fluker, Exo Terra, + others
• For 77 click: Gecko Multivitamins

Instead of Exo Terra supplements I recommend Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3, Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins without D3, and, if necessary, plain (no D3) calcium.

 

[Geecko123]

years, thank you so much, I did not know supplements had a shelf life, which will be more expensive, a petstore or a breeder, also where do you find a breeder?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

years, thank you so much, I did not know supplements had a shelf life, which will be more expensive, a petstore or a breeder, also where do you find a breeder?

You're welcome. Most any supplement except for pure calcium carbonate has a shelf life.

There are 3 Zoo Med supplement schedules on my Leo Care Sheet (124, 125, & 126). If your leo is in good strong shape as a 12 mo, then you'd go to schedule 126.

Weekly Schedule 124 for Leopard Geckos 0-12 months old
(without UVB)​

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. . . . . .

Weekly Schedule 126 for Leopard Geckos 18 months old +​

(without UVB)​

Crickets or dubia >> Monday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
Crickets or dubia >> Thursday - lightly dusted with Zoo Med ReptiVite multivitamins without D3
Mealworms >> Saturday - no dusting

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

Leopard geckos from breeders cost more. Pet store animals carry high risks of cryptosporidiosis -- which is highly contagious and fatal. It's impossible to eradicate cyrpto from an enclosure.

 

[Geecko123]

what about getting him from an animal rescue, one of the young ones who have not been feed properly and a just need a good home, would that be okay or could they carry diseases.

 

[Geecko123]

what about getting him from an animal rescue, one of the young ones who have not been feed properly and a just need a good home, would that be okay or could they carry diseases.

 

[Geecko123]

my tile will be 12" by 12" I think I will put paper towels on the left over and, if he doesn't make that corner his restroom, if not then I'll see if I can teach him to use that corner, anyway wil that work?

 

[GeckoLeen]

If they are a reputable rescue, they will have their reptiles checked for parasites, etc. So the animal needs a home, but should be healthy, or at least recovering, in a rescue.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

my tile will be 12" by 12" I think I will put paper towels on the left over and, if he doesn't make that corner his restroom, if not then I'll see if I can teach him to use that corner, anyway wil that work?

I recommend having a tile cut for the 6 inch remaining area. Some Home Depots and Lowes cut tiles for a small fee. Bring your enclosure to make certain all 3 tiles fit.

Tiles are quite easy to clean. I think your enclosure will look more "finished" if you tile it all.

Leos like to poop on the cool end. At least mine does. Good luck.

 

[Geecko123]

I'll probably still use paper towels as that will make work easier, but if it would better for the gecko I'll most definetly change it, anything for the gecko:biggrin:

 

[Geecko123]

do you think I could use a fish thermometer if I suction cup the end that goes in the water to the side or will it not be able to read the temp

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

do you think I could use a fish thermometer if I suction cup the end that goes in the water to the side or will it not be able to read the temp

A "fish thermometer" could work. Please share a photo of what you have.