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I would like to get one or two leos soon, and I'm wondering if I could use a guinea pig cage to house them. It is just sitting there going to waste after all... Poor cage

It's 26x16x11" making it around 20 gallons. It's made of that hard plastic material, so my only real concern is whether I'd have a problem with a heating pad. I've never used a UTH with anything plastic, so just a confirmation that it won't burn down would be lovely. It also has a lid that I could stretch some netting over.

Here it is pictured from the front and top.

Also...
1. Do crickets and mealworms make a difference if either one is the staple food. I would really prefer mealworms as I could breed them myself and I don't absolutely hate them. Which are easier to gut-load, if anyone even knows this answer? Both will be provided as diversity, but I just really dislike handling crickets and would rather have mealworms out number them in my house.

2. If you leave a dish of calcium, is it still necessary to dust the food every 2-3 feedings? If the feeders are gut loaded with fresh foods, can you reduce dusting? When gut loading, must you provide various foods, or could I just use potatoes for example. Can too much calcium have a negative affect?

Thank you fro any help!

Could someone please answer...

>>It's 26x16x11" making it around 20 gallons. It's made of that hard plastic material, so my only real concern is whether I'd have a problem with a heating pad. I've never used a UTH with anything plastic, so just a confirmation that it won't burn down would be lovely. It also has a lid that I could stretch some netting over.
>>

I would not risk it. 20 gallon long aquariums are only about $20-30. Just buy one of those.

>>Also...
>>1. Do crickets and mealworms make a difference if either one is the staple food. I would really prefer mealworms as I could breed them myself and I don't absolutely hate them. Which are easier to gut-load, if anyone even knows this answer? Both will be provided as diversity, but I just really dislike handling crickets and would rather have mealworms out number them in my house.
>>

I tend to think that crickets are better, but there are many who use mealworms exclusively with no problems.

>>2. If you leave a dish of calcium, is it still necessary to dust the food every 2-3 feedings? If the feeders are gut loaded with fresh foods, can you reduce dusting? When gut loading, must you provide various foods, or could I just use potatoes for example. Can too much calcium have a negative affect?
>>

Yes, it is necessary to dust the food. Potatoes are not going to be good; with crickets, at least, there are several commercially available cricket diets that are good to use, or a variety of fresh vegetables can work. I'm not sure on the mealworms, as I never use them myself...
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I should have mentioned that if I didn't use the cage, I would get a rubbermaid container. Are there any concerns with UTHs and rubbermaid?

And thank you for the feeder responses.

i shoudlnt think UTH will melt plastic at all. i mean mine (and im sure all the rest) are covered in plastic sheets to make them semi-water proof. unless the UTH malfunctions and severly overheats there shouldnt be a problem, you could always use a thermostat with the head pad to keep it safer. w/e you use, make sure there arent any holes, crix can find there ways out of almost anywhere lol