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red Feb 07, 2003 06:25 PM

I want to purchase 2 leopard geckos and place them in a 20 gallon tank. I was wondering what i should use for substrate? What should the cage temps be? What should i put in the for decor and hide spots. And anything else u could post would be of help

Replies (7)

eve_scotland2003 Feb 07, 2003 06:36 PM

The best substrate (especially if you are purchasing juvies/hatchlings)is paper towels, however you could try slate for a more "natural look" - they minimize the risk of impactions and so forth. You should have one end of the tank hot (around 90) and the other end of the tank cool (around 80) temps at nite can drop to as low as the 70s. Temps can be achieved with UTH (under tank heaters) and Heat bulbs. Decor can be anything of your preference - from personal experience i would suggest that you fist purchase should be some backing - a background for the tank - gecko's dont seem to understand glass - presuming that it what u will have - and it stops them trying to "make their way out" of the tank. Plants can be plastic or real - obviously the plastic ones need less maintainance than real ones. For hides i like to use coconut shell as they look quite decorative - one cocont will provide 2 shells , hollowing out the insides. You could also use the "cardboardy" stuff from the insides of hanging baskets which i use in one of my tanks. Also you will want to have a water/food bowl present at all times and a bowl of calcium that the gecko is able to eat at its own will. The cage should be cleaned entierly (including decor) every 2-3 months - faecies should be removed A.S.A.P and water changed daily. Hope that ansers some questions - Evonne x

punker055 Feb 07, 2003 06:39 PM

Depends on the age. Washed play sand is what I use for my adults because it is cheap and serves its purpose. If they are juveniles or younger then use paper towels. Get temps about 80-90 degrees by using some sort of under tank heater. You can use anything for decor really. I use fake plants, log hides, rock hides, rocks. Most anything really. If they are adults make sure they are females or 1.1. I would get 2 females if you don't plan on breeding.

Jeff Marjama Feb 07, 2003 07:04 PM

Leo Land

My site with lots of care info! That should help

-Jeff

Jeff Marjama Feb 07, 2003 07:05 PM

Wtf! no HTML in this new forum!

www.leo-land.net

that should work

AmyM Feb 07, 2003 10:24 PM

Hi there,

Before you get your geckos, you should buy a copy of The Leopard Gecko Manual by de Vosjoli et al. It is an excellent resource that will help you prepare for and properly maintain your geckos.

Along with the advice you have already received, I would recommend that if you are buying young geckos (still growing) then you should house them separately at least until they have reached their adult size. If they are a pair (male and female) then you should house them separately until they are ready to be bred (the female needs to be over 9 months old and over 35 grams, minimum - most people prefer older and heavier). If you have a pair of young females and really want to house them together right from the beginning, just make sure that each one is getting enough food. Their growth rate is very closely linked to their food intake when they're young.

I hope you will enjoy your geckos, once you get them. Most people find them rather addictive!

Regards,

Amy

Dragfameson Feb 08, 2003 12:07 AM

"Most people find them rather addictive!"

Tell me about it!

YoshiMa Feb 08, 2003 10:33 AM

I just bought 2 females to go with my males and I am already wanting a couple more.

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