Reptile & Amphibian Forums

it will still be long a while before i move pixie and katrina into a tank with their mommy but i still have a few questions. being a believer in the 10gal per leo rule, i am apprehensive about putting the two sisters together in the 20gal long with their mommy. i dont' want ANY of them to stress since they would each have less that 10gallons of space each. i was thinking of going with the whole sand/tiles idea and don't want the tank too cluttered (since the leos seem to prefer to hide BEHIND their hides instead of in them. would it be okay to just put in 2 humid hides and then add different funishings that would serve as decorative, climbing, and hiding tools??? i saw a piece of grapewood that looked really nice...provided climbing and exploring space but had these curves that leos could sleep under or beside for cover. and of course there will be plastic aquarium plants with broad leaves to hide under. i just don't think there will be enough room for 2 humid hides, and 2 dry hides as well as a water dish and food dishes. so what does everyone think of the plan??? Katrina and Pixie still have 5 months to go before they move, but i am planning on redecorating the tank before that.

Cleo

I think you'll be able to fit three leos into a 20 gallon just fine. I keep two in my 20L with three dry hides and two humid hides. My leos only occupy the warm half of the tank. The only time I ever see them wander into the other half of the tank is to use the restroom. In fact, the cool hide IS their bathroom. So I know there's plenty of room for another leo or two, except that I'm sure the first two would not approve of any newcomers. I've seen them wave their tails at their own reflection.

What really works well is using the hides that they can climb on. I like rock dens because they're decorative and functional. I place one directly on the UTH so it warms up nicely. Both my leos will come out and lay on it any time of the day.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

I think 3 leos would be fine in a 20 long. When you move them in they might lose their appetite for a day or two while they adjust. Since your gunna redecorate the cage beforehand, so you kind have this already covered, but I've read you should change it completely. This way the gecko that was originallly in the tank doesnt feel like they're "in her territory" or something.
One way to maximize space is using stuff that leos can use for climbing ect AND hiding. Rock hides work well since they look like a rock to climb on, but the leos can hide in them too. Same with fake plants, wood, stuff like that. Good luck
Mac

I use 2 two humid hides and alot of times now days all four my gals go in the same one. There 8x7 each and one would fit a 20l nicely and they can crawel and lat on top of it also.
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My posts and replies are my experiences only
1.2.6 Tokays
1.4.6 Leos(9 albino)
0.2.0 AFT's
0.2.0 Stenodactylus Petrii(Dune Geckos)

What also works good in a 20Lgal tank is a humid hide that 2 stories high. I use thoe taller square crayola boxes that you can buy almost anywhere. They arent the flat ones u get at wal-mart they are taller and more of a box looking and I cut a whole on the side as far as it can go then I cut a hole on top in the far back corner on the top I flip them upside down so I can still take the lids off to put papertowels in ther but I melt the plastic together at the hole on top so that it is stuck together and they cant slide. It works great and saes room.
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2 male leos: Winky HY & Lenny TangCT & 4 Female Leos: Sunshine Super tang, Serenity Tremper HY Jungle Albino, Skittle Hypo-Golden, and Banana Patternless.

I'd think that thre in a 20-long is better than having one each in a 10-gallon. I know they do best alone, but I think any reptile benefits from the excercise they can get in a larger tank. 10-gallons seem so cramped, at least with my two juvis (I moved one into a 20-long because of it, and the other is in a quarantine 10) and at least in a 20-long they have exploring room and everything. Just my opinion based on my two, though.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame