Leopard gecko vivarium setup

When I was setting up my vivarium I came across soooo many people telling me what to do and what not to do, some people saying one thing then others saying something completely different. Substrate being the most controversial issue!!

Vivarium - Should be a vivarium and not a fish tank so correct ventilation can occur. My viv is 30" x 18" x 18".

Heat and Light - Should be separate. I have a heat bulb, and yes I know leopard geckos take heat in from underneath, but the rocks and slate will still be warm. Heat mats are good but are not natural. Heat rocks are a big no no (risk of burning). All heat sources should be regulated with a thermostat, with a heat bulb a dimming thermostat should be used to prevent the light flicking on and off all night and day, and the sensor should be placed near where the gecko will lie. A digital thermometer should be used in conjunction with the thermostat to ensure the correct temperature is being maintained. I have my light source on 10 hours a day, and is a 4W energy saving bulb, and gives off very little heat.

Substrate - Do NOT use calci-sand (geckos can sense the calcium and ingest it intentionally, which can cause impactions if too much is consumed) or reptile carpet (their fingers might get caught and possibly ripped off). Sand is fine to use (Leopard Gecko - Pet Expert - Lance Jepson - 2011), ground walnut shells seems to be ok. Solid substrates are good, tiles, slate, lino, tissue etc... (make sure you sterilise before use)

Hide and moss - Geckos need a retreat, and humid conditions to shed skin properly. Moss is good, pour with boiling water before use, dry out, and spray daily to keep humid.

Calcium and vitamins - Leave calcium supplement in viv for gecko to help it self to. Do NOT use calcium with added vitamin D3, the gecko may overdose on it, so buy a separate vitimin supplement and dust food twice a week or so.

Hope this helps

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• leopard
• lepard
• gecko
• vivarium
• setup
• lighting
• heating
• substrate
• calcium
• vitamin D3
• hide
• moss
• slate
• sand
• rocks
• reptile
• lizard
• feeding
• crickets
• thermostat
• ventilation
• vitamin
• how
• to
• set
• up

[shinobi6995]

hi mate just wondered i justgot my gecko today and when i feel the heat matt it doesnt feel that hot? is thgat ok?

[jester3k3]

@shinobi6995 Hey. 28 - 30 degrees doesn't feel hot anyway... but to make sure it is in that range, i'd get a digital thermometer (couple of quid off ebay) and secure the sensor to whatever you have put on top of the heat mat. If you have stuck the mat on the side of the viv, then put the sensor where you intend the gecko to 'hide'. Hope this helps :)

[watchiproductions]

@jester3k3 were did you get your vivarium and how much does it cost

[jester3k3]

@watchiproductions Hey. I got it second hand off e-bay, found a local guy and went to pick up up for £40. Bargain.

[videomegan]

Hi thank you this is really helpful but I was wondering can you put real plants in vivariums such as smooth cactuses?

[jester3k3]

@videomegan Hello, erm, to be honest i'm not sure about real plants, so I wouldn't like to say. I don't see why not though, because if it's not moving, your gecko will not try to eat it.

[jester3k3]

@tallfishman100 I would use around a 60 or 75 watt heat bulb. As long as it is connected to a dimming thermostat. You could even use a 100 watt as long as a thermostat is connected as they will all maintain the desired temp. Hope that helps.

[tallfishman100]

What would i use for heating a 10 gal? PLZ REPLY

[jester3k3]

@hunter556x45 It would be advisable to have a hide for each gecko, so they have their own space, I would however keep them both toward the warm end. My gecko loves to stay on the warm side, I hardly ever see her on the cold side (Except to poo). I've re-arranged my viv slightly from above, my hide is now in the far left corner (the warm corner) and the rocks are dotted around, and she lies in the hide in the corner closest to the warmth. Hope this helps.

[hunter556x45]

I have come into possession of a fairly large aquarium that was once used for tropical fish and I am currently retro fitting this into a vivarium (I don't like fish)

Currently using sand as a substrate also since the people at the specialised reptile store said it will do them no harm, they've used sand for 20 odd years.

Looking to house 2 female geckos once I'm happy with my setup, just a quick question to you is it advisable to have hides on both warm and cool sides of the viv?