gecko terrarium setup?

Question

I just got an 18x18x18 inch screen terrarium and I was wondering what you think of this possible setup. It's for a tangerine leopard gecko I'm very excited to get!!

Use calcium carbonate sand as substrate but layer sandstone on it so it is mostly covered. I'm thinking about getting the sandstone from Home Depot. Then I can stack some rocks on top of each other to make a cave / mountain and have some varying terrain for my gecko.

In one corner I'll get exo terra heat cable and create a gradient under a ceramic tile or thin slab of sandstone. Underneath I'll put a layer of styrofoam. I'm afraid if I put it under the tank I something funky will happen with the plastic. To the cable I will attach this: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342149892&sr=8-1&keywords=heat+mat+thermostat

I have a small ceramic bowl for free calcium powder (apparently they will just eat however much the need if you just put it out?) I plan on feeding it in another box--I'm guessing (based on the feeding schedule of the lab lizards I take care of) that it would be about 4-5 crickets every other day with meal worms once a week as a treat? Please let me know if this is right!!

Also I am debating over whether to get a nice reptile bowl for water or maybe even get a mini fountain so the water is somewhat fresher and it adds character to the terrarium! Also I want to get a flowering succulent that I will plant so that it grows draped over the rock mountain/ hide just to be pretty :)

Oh and then just use a small tupperware box on the other end with some sphagnum moss in it.

Let me know what you think!!

Answer 1

I think your setup sounds very nice,theirs only a few problems which is a good thing since im assuming your new to this. First of all the fountain idea might be tanking it a little too far,leos don't generally need to be in water,they prefer just drinking it and without the fountain it'll save you money.I would also certainly recommend dusting the calcium powder over live crickets (you can do this by putting the crickets in a bag,pour in the calcium and shake).you also need 2 more dry boxes for your gecko,one dry and one moist on the heated side and one on the cool side. Just remember to get a therm. on both sides on the tank and you'll be set, everything seems to be in order.

Answer 2

I never recommend using sand in a geckos terrarium even if it is going to be mostly covered by stones, you don't want to risk him swallowing the sand by mistake diving for a cricket and then it get impacted. I'd recommend either paper towels or reptile carpet as a substrate.



The feeding sounds about right although I'm not positive, I'd recommend going with someone's answer who knows a little more about leopard geckos :P



About the water, if you wont forget to refresh the water everyday, I really wouldn't buy a fountain. Unless it's cheap, it's not really worth it... So as long as you know you wont forget, then just go with a bowl!

Answer 3

DO NOT USE SAND. PLEASE. Sand, calcium sand, bark, vita-sand, gravel, etc. cause impaction, which will kill them 99.9% of the time. I know someone who spent $1,500 to treat their gecko's impaction, but the gecko still died.



I recommend reptile carpet, slate tile, or paper towels. I don't recommend sandstone. I don't recommend stacking rocks, either.



Each gecko will eat differently. Feed it how much it wants. It will learn its lesson if it throws up.



Get a small, swallow dish for water. Deep water is dangerous to leopard geckos and they will avoid it if it is too deep.



The humid hide should be on the warm side. Mist it daily.



Your tank set-up should look like this:

http://www.onlinegeckos.com/basic-leopard-gecko-tank-setup.html



Good luck. Remember, you have to keep leopard gecko tank setups simple. If you don't want to, then this isn't the pet for you. Of course you can make it really fancy, but don't over do it.

Answer 4

What ever you do don't get sand for your leo especially from home depot. If u wanna get sand use calcium sand which benefits the leo. Leopard geckos are known to have the easiest set up so u don't have to over do it with a water fountain. With the food, crickets have good protein for the leo but leo can live for a very long time just being fed meal worms. Meal worms aren't really a treat they are very good for your leo. I recommend that you feed your leo more meal worms so they can get a fat tail.