Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading the forum recently and i saw that sand was a risk to use for leos. What is something else i could use besides sand that is cheap and easy to clean up after?

Also, i am a first time leo owner, and i chose an albino gecko by accident. I dont regret getting her, but, i know they need special care. What are some precautions i should take in taking care of her? ( Shes only about two months) And when should i get something besides Sand?

Im using a 40 watt bulb for daytime and a 40 watt for nightime.

Thank you!

You should look up some caresheets. The care for an albino is no different from a normal...I don't know where you got the idea that it is... Anyway, definitely don't use sand...she's gonna be way to small to put on any particulate substrate. I'd recommend tile. It's easy to clean, holds heat well, and is attractive. Don't forget to have a heat source (UTH or overhead light if you have a substrate that will hold heat well), and a humid hide. Make sure the temps are high enough too...a 40W light is not going to put off enough heat.
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Christina

2.3 leos
-0.1 tangerine het rainwater albino w/jungle background (Blinkers)

-0.2 jungles (Vahz & Skissor)

-1.0 tremper albino (Spitfire)

-1.0 tangerine rainwater albino (Bronx)

ive heard that albinos should have less light then regular leopard Geckos because they are senstive to the light in general because of the pigmentation in the skin. I will try to find a substitute of sand as quick as possible, i hope she doesnt die because of the sand, shes only been at my house for about 3 days. Its really confusing also because so many people have so many different ways of taking care of them. but for the lighting issue, i have a heating pad under one half of the cage and a cooler spot on the other side where she can hide and coll herself off to regulate her body temperature.
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1 Albino Leopard Gecko- Corona Light

Albinos are light sensitive until about 6 months of age, but if they have enough hides, (at least 3 ... 1 humid/warm, 1 dry warm, 1 cool), then she'll just keep herself nice and hidden during the lighted hours. I keep all my leos on a 12/12 light cycle.

Use papertowel. I use it all the time and will never switch, but if you are waiting to find something non-particulate like the aforementioned slate tiles, then use papertowel or even newspaper. Get the leo off the sand ASAP. Papertowel and/or newspaper will do fine for now or forever. Use old newspaper if you can ... fresh paper = dirty leo.

If your UTH is generating the right temps (by the way, a UTH on its own is way, WAY too hot ... if you aren't already, get a rheostat or a thermostat), then your light source does not have to generate any heat. A flourescent light or low-wattage incadescent will do fine.

Hope this helps.
Joel
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2.5 Leopard Geckos
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.0.2 Crested Geckos

Thanks so much! i will try the paper towel thing/newspaper, but do you think moss would be okay? Is there any other substrates i should be aware of?
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1 Albino Leopard Gecko- Corona Light

I keep all my leos on alfalfa pellets, and have never had any problems with them. They will mold if wetted though, so you have to clean up any water spills right away.
-Alice

I found a link to a really cool leopard gecko setup that was on another reptile site. The person's name is Drew Lowe. The site is:

http://[bleep]/photopost/data/500/1695Leopard_Gecko_enclosure-med.jpg

Regards,

Terry

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Terry Brashear
1.0.0 High Yellow
0.1.0 Lavender
0.1.0 Hypo Carrot-tail
2 eggs incubating
http://www.naturepixels.com/gecko

OK, so it appears that I am not allowed to link to the site or post its name. Anyway. The gecko enlosure had round rocks that were about 1 inch in diameter for the substrate. It looked great and seemed to get around the ingestion issues with sand.

Regards,

Terry
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Terry Brashear
1.0.0 High Yellow
0.1.0 Lavender
0.1.0 Hypo Carrot-tail
2 eggs incubating
http://www.naturepixels.com/gecko

the best option is slat rock. otherwords, just use papertowls

Most herpers but not all, would agree sand is not good. Horrible for babies, in debate about adults. Regardless, papertowels are the best, It can be a hassle because the crickets hide under them at times, but personally I think the geckos just have to use natural instinct more with that case. They get better at it with time. I have heard astroturf works, or something similar to astroturf, but the pieces flake easily and there can be loops that catch the leos feet. There are ways to go for a "pretty" setup, including tile, but functionally speaking papertowels work great.

crickets can't get under tile, you can put paper towels in the bathroom area to "spot clean," if other areas get dirty you can just clean with a damp paper towel, and when you need to do a good cleaning you can just take them out. Plus tile holds heat very well. Probably cheaper in the long run too since each tile costs less than 2 bucks and will last forever.
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Christina

2.3 leos
-0.1 tangerine het rainwater albino w/jungle background (Blinkers)

-0.2 jungles (Vahz & Skissor)

-1.0 tremper albino (Spitfire)

-1.0 tangerine rainwater albino (Bronx)