Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings All,

While my name may appear new to all of you I have been "lurking" for the past couple weeks trying to glean as much info as I could so as not to regurge the same Newbie questions on you guys again But in my reading I have not be able to find the exact answer to a few questions I still have so if anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

I plan on utilizing a rack system for my geckos as I have one for my collection of Corns and it works out very well for me. Standard rack system, heat tape in the back, Sterilite 12qt & 28qt tubs, etc.

Lighting: I noticed here and there its was recommended to run a 12 hr lighting cycle for the Geckos...how do those of you who use Rack systems go about providing that? If I left the back of my rack "open" and simply hung one or two fluorescents vertically down the back of that and ran it off a timer would it provide what I need ?

Substrate: Consensus is Paper Towel/Newspaper and not any type of sand or Calci-sand.....correct?

Calcium/Vitamin Supplement: Preferred brand or concoction?

I "think" that is all for now.

Many thanks for the help and you guys have a great bunch of members and contributors here....at least that's what it appears like after reading the threads here for the last few weeks.

Regards,

Lee

First off, welcome

Leopard geckos do very well in rack systems in a simple yet functional setup.

You could hook flourescent lights up to the back of the rack, that would be fine. The only light cycle my leopard geckos get is from the light coming in through the window in the room I have them in. Sometimes I am in there working really late into the night with the light on also. IMO if you have your leopard geckos in a room with a window they need no additional lighting.

The consensus is that paper towel is the safest substrate to use, although many people (including myself) have kept their adult leos on washed playsand with no ill effects.

I supplement using RepCal with D3. I have a dish in each enclosure with the calcium powder available for the geckos to ingest when they want it. I dust feeder insects maybe twice a month with Herpivite. I also offer a dish of Vionate once or twice a month.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions!
-----
Peace-
Kelli Hammack
H.I.S.S.
email me