Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello If you can't tell from the topic title I'm a 'bit new when it comes to knowing how, and what, to aquire to raise Leopard Geckos. I've recently decided I have an interest in not only raising and keeping Leo's, but also in breeding them. Herein lies the dilemma Unfortunately I've read so many conflicting points of view and pieces of advice on how to raise leo's and what equipment/food/tank parameters are best that I've decided I need to come here and beg for some advice. Please keep in mind that this is for a small-scale (1 male, 2-3 females) if you decide to help me out. (No industial-sized solution here)

What I'd like to know is:
--What tank size would you recommend for 3-4 leo's.
--Do you know of any reputable breeders in the Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota area?
--What tank parameters (temp, humidity levels, ect.) do you find work best?
--What tank accessories would you include?
--I have a vague idea of setting up a overhead lamp for daylight/daytime heat and an under-tank heating pad for nightime heat, both set on timers and thermometers. Do you think this is a good idea? And if not, what would you recommend I do for heating?
--What equiment would you recommend for properly sex-selectively hatching female leo's, and would you recomment having something other than a simple 10gal tank for their rearing?

Hmmm.....That's about all I can think of for now, though I doubt those are all the questions I could have asked. I sincerely wish to have the best setup I can for my future leo's, so any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Also, what substrate would you recommend I use?

Get a sterilite blanket box for the 3-4 breeders. Heat with a UTH, heat tape or human heat pad, make sure there is ventilation under the heat pad (put on grid, ventilated shelf, or raise off floor). Get a thermostat to control temps. Forget the lamp. Warm side temp should be 88-90°. Don't try to lower temps at night, but if they lower a little naturally it is okay. They always have their cool side.

Raise hatchlings individually in sterilite shoeboxes. They grow much faster this way. You can get a hatchling rack system for around $250 or rig up something yourself. Transfer to Sweater boxes when they get to be large juveniles/subadults. A ten gallon tank will be in no way adequate to raise a season's worth of hatchlings from 2-3 geckos. Even if housed together, hatchlings must be sorted by size, you would need quite a few tanks. Sterilite boxes are cheaper and easier to store when not in use.

Get a hovabator to incubate eggs.

Use paper towels for substrate.

Provide a moist hide and dry hide for hatchlings. Breeders tank should have at least one large moist hide/laybox on warm side (tupperware filled with moss, hole cut in top) and several dry hides on both warm and cool sides. Food dish, water bowl.

Provide all geckos with a dish of phosphorus-free calcium at all times. Provide a calcium supplenment with D3 every other week.

There's answers to some of your questions, at least.

And buy and read the Leopard Gecko Manual before you even start shopping for leos.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos