Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am brand new to the forum and I really have enjoyed all I have seen and read. I have been away from herps since I was a teenager when I kept various turtles a few snakes and some lizards. I could easily get hooked on them again! My 12 year old son is about to get his first leo. We want to make sure that the animal is kept in healthy environment. Your input will be appreciated. We will be using a 15 gal aquarium (24x12x12) and paper towel as substrate, at least until the leo is older. I know that I need to provide hides and a moist hide for shedding. My question is primarily about heat source. I have been told under tank pad, above tank light, above tank ceramic, heat rock.... Very confused at this point. If someone wannts to shoot me a picture of a good set up for a single leo that would be great. I believe in being well prepared before bringing any animal into a home and Christmas is coming fast so...your speedy help will be awesome!
thanks
peter

Hi Peter!

Welcome to the forum!

I kept my son's juvenile leopard gecko on paper towels for about the first 2 months or so and switched to children's play sand. Nearly a year now without any problems.

Since they're nocturnal I use one of the name brands (ESU) red heat bulbs in a dome reflector sitting on top of the tank. Heats well and we can watch him move about hunting for food or exploring at night.

For easy adjustments I always install a dimmer switch on the cord of any/every light or heat source.

If you haven't already done so you should post this Q in the "Leopard Gecko" forum. You'll get more responses as this is a general cage-building/habitat forum and not speices specific.

I also like searching for old posts as you can get a lot more responses and better, more detailed, responses. Try clicking the "Search Forums" or "Search" link usually found just above the title of a posted message.

Try search terms like: "gecko heat", "leopard heat", "heat gecko", etc... Use the "plus sign" before either one of the words or before both words.

Seize the opportunity, Peter. When my son was 7 he started getting into snakes & other reptiles. Like you, I kept them for many years but strayed out of it for awhile. Dive back in while you can, use your son for an excuse. It'll work with the wife for a lil' while, at least. I managed to get just over 20 reptiles before my wife finally caught on. Ha! Ha!

Have fun & take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

I use under-tank pads for my leos. I've used lights in the past. I would base my method off of the substrate. If the substrate is thick, you won't want to use a under-tank heater. Make sure you have a temperature probe at both ends of the tank, or invest in a heat-gun.
Without offense to HH, a lot of people don't recommend the use of sand as a substrate for leopard geckos. A lot of leos die due to ingesting it and becoming impacted, especially those who are fed in the same cage that the sand is in. Even the calcium-sand can only be digested if it is a VERY small amount that has been eaten, and if so much as a mouthful is eaten, they too can cause impaction.

Head on over to leopard gecko forum if you haven't already. People there will be more than helpful.

And take a look at the "morph" section, the picture at the top is of my leopard geckos
-----
~Sara~
"If you look down on me, I am evil, If you look up to me, I am God, if you look straight at me, I Am you"
-Charles Manson