Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. Newbie first class here - preparing to set up a home for a new pair of leopard geckos for my son and daughter (okay.....for me too ))
I was fortunate enough to come into a 55 gallon aquarium that is 12"D x 47" L x 19" H that I will be using for th habitat. The first thing I was wondering about was using tile for the substrate, at least while the new arrivals are young. I've read too many negative things about using a sand substrate, so I likely will only sprinkle some between the tiles for appearance. I can get the tiles in 12" x 12" size so they will fit perfectly with only a minimum of trimming. What is your opinion of tile? I'm wondering from a number of different perspectives. 1. Does it conduct heat as well as I'd imagine from the under tank heater? 2. Do the geckos seem to like it as a substrate? I am thinking about using saltillo tiles (the spanish looking ones that are kind of like terra cotta). Has anyone used these? I think they would look the most natural, and fairly easy to clean. I just don't like the idea of paper towels, except for the bathroom corner.
Also, with the undertank heater and the large aquarium (19" height), what would you recommend for the light above. I'm thinking about red ceramic, but what wattage would likely be appropriate? I assume I would turn that light off at night and just use the undertank heater for the night warmth. If it can warm the tank to 5-10 degrees above room temp. that should be about right for night time (approx. 73-78 degrees).
Let me know what you think. I'm going to try to get the tank completely set up and the right temp and humidity before I brink the little darlings home. I think I will get them from a somewhat local breeder at one of the expos coming up later this month - I'm very weary of the local PETCO.

Thanks, Dean

The first thing I was wondering about was using tile for the substrate, at least while the new arrivals are young. I've read too many negative things about using a sand substrate, so I likely will only sprinkle some between the tiles for appearance. I can get the tiles in 12" x 12" size so they will fit perfectly with only a minimum of trimming. What is your opinion of tile? I'm wondering from a number of different perspectives. 1. Does it conduct heat as well as I'd imagine from the under tank heater? 2. Do the geckos seem to like it as a substrate? I am thinking about using saltillo tiles (the spanish looking ones that are kind of like terra cotta). Has anyone used these? I think they would look the most natural, and fairly easy to clean. I just don't like the idea of paper towels, except for the bathroom corner.
>>Also, with the undertank heater and the large aquarium (19" height), what would you recommend for the light above. I'm thinking about red ceramic, but what wattage would likely be appropriate? I assume I would turn that light off at night and just use the undertank heater for the night warmth. If it can warm the tank to 5-10 degrees above room temp. that should be about right for night time (approx. 73-78 degrees).
>>Let me know what you think. I'm going to try to get the tank completely set up and the right temp and humidity before I brink the little darlings home. I think I will get them from a somewhat local breeder at one of the expos coming up later this month - I'm very weary of the local PETCO.

I love tile conducts heat well and it is very easy to clean and it looks really good.

I just use a 75 watt lightbulb for my 20 gallon tanks but with a 50 gallon tank i dont know.

Sound like there will be some very happy little leos.
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-Ryan

If you wanna see some pics of my tank check em out here.

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-Ryan

Ryan,
Thanks for the reply. I had been thinking about using tile, and then I actually saw your post here earlier today and that's what convinced me it would be a good way to go. Your setup looks really good. Not cluttered and nice & clean. Do you just have your tile setting directly on the bottom (glass) of your tank? There shouldn't be much slipping around since the tlies will fit pretty tightly. I noticed you elevated tour water dish on an additional tile - is that just to keep more debris out or what? It looks kood kind of "tiered" like that. Any other tips you have about layout or anything related to the leo would be greatly appreciated.
One other thing: Have you ever heard of anyone coming up with a misting system for their humid hide? It's simple enough to just reach in and remove it daily, but I was thinking about rigging up some sort of tube or something so I wouldn't have to disturb the habitat all the time. Maybe I'm just making it too complicated. Also, what do you use for the inside of your humid hide and how often do you change it?
Thanks for the advice

>>Ryan,
>>Thanks for the reply. I had been thinking about using tile, and then I actually saw your post here earlier today and that's what convinced me it would be a good way to go. Your setup looks really good. Not cluttered and nice & clean. Do you just have your tile setting directly on the bottom (glass) of your tank? There shouldn't be much slipping around since the tlies will fit pretty tightly. I noticed you elevated tour water dish on an additional tile - is that just to keep more debris out or what? It looks kood kind of "tiered" like that. Any other tips you have about layout or anything related to the leo would be greatly appreciated.

Yes the tile is directly on the glass and as for the extra tile i just put it there to keep sand out of the dish.
Also in the front i have like a mosaic type thing where i broke up peices of tile and put sand in the cracks makes it look really cool, and as i type i have a ledge for the tank drying ill have pics later.

>>One other thing: Have you ever heard of anyone coming up with a misting system for their humid hide? It's simple enough to just reach in and remove it daily, but I was thinking about rigging up some sort of tube or something so I wouldn't have to disturb the habitat all the time. Maybe I'm just making it too complicated. Also, what do you use for the inside of your humid hide and how often do you change it?

I really wouldnt bother trying it would be very hard because it would have to mist for only like 15 seconds which is hard to do with a mister and it would make the tank too humid, and i use paper towl in the humid hide which i change every other day.

And also its a good idea to put a paper towl over the tile in the bathroom spot so you can just take it out and change it.
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-Ryan

I as well wouldn't bother with a misting system. It would probably make the tank too humid which could cause respriatory problems in your leo(s). My humid hide stays humid for about 10 days on it's own. The opening is just big enough for my leos to get in and out. I also pile up the moist paper towel, changing them every 10 days.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino Pacman Frog
1.0 Lovebird (Tony)
1.0 Elkhound Cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute Cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

I use tile and it love it. It is super easy to clean, it's cheap and you can get different patterns or colors.

Questions on tile:
1. Does it conduct heat as well as I'd imagine from the under tank heater?

Yes. It conducts heat very well. If you use the plastic tile that you can cut to fit you will need two tiles for the warm side.

2. Do the geckos seem to like it as a substrate? I am thinking about using saltillo tiles (the spanish looking ones that are kind of like terra cotta).

The geckos don't mind it. I think the spanish looking ones would work well. It just depends on what you like.

3.Also, with the undertank heater and the large aquarium (19" height), what would you recommend for the light above.

I use a light but you don't need one. I use red light bulbs so at night I can watch them but they can't see me. They don't bask so it isn't neccesary.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any more questions!
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Katie
Peach State Geckos
Breeding Mealworms
My Email

Well, since you asked........
I'm still a little unsure about how I'm going to take care of the heating. Like I mentioned, I have a tank that is 12" D x 47" W x 19" H. My plan is to have an under-tank heater that will cover approx. 1/2 of the bottom. I've seen some that are supposed to raise the tank temp. to between 5-10 degrees above room temperature, and some that maintain a constant 90 or 100 degrees. Now, I know that's the temperature of the actual heater. Does anyone know how that translates to temp. inside the tank? Are there set-ups that have only an under-tank heater or do they always need to be used in combination with an overhead heat source? I know that light is not the issue, and my tank will be in a room that gets light.
I guess I'm just trying to avoid buying too many things and re-inventing a wheel that others have already perfected. I also don't want to overdo it and end up using a 200 watt ceramic bulb if I can get away with a 45 watt UTH. I'm soooo confused )
I guess my ultimate question is, what do you think I would need as far as heating goes? I also am curious about the 19" height of the tank. Is this higher than normal for a reptile tank and will I have to compensate to get enough heat to the substrate where the leos will be spending their time.
Thanks for all your help.................and patience.
Dean

I wouldn't worry about covering 1/2 of the tank with an UTH. 1/3 would probably be plenty with such a large tank. My UTH covers even less than 1/3 of my tank, but I also have the heat lamp. I also have a dimmer for my UTH for hot days. You want to make sure you use the floor temp not the air temp. An air temp of 100 degrees would probably at the very least 110 degrees on the floor, WAY to hot, possibly causing burns or other health issues. Never mind I just read that you said the heater temp was 90-100 degrees. 100 degrees is a little too hot.

WHOA a 200 watt ceramic lamp would probably scorch the little guys. My bulb is only 50 watts and the UTH is probably less than 45 watts, even then my tank has reached temps of 110 degrees (that's when I bought the dimmer). You would probably be ok with just an UTH except that the tank is rather high which may cause the temp just above the floor to be too cold, but I'm not sure. 19" is very high for a leopard gecko, some people would advise not using it, but I haven't had any problems with my tank being so high.

Here is a picture of my low 15 gallon. It has pretty much all the same things as the 33 gallon.

Good luck. I struggled with my tank for a long time but I'm really happy with it now. It's now very low maintenance.

Lisa

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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino Pacman Frog
1.0 Lovebird (Tony)
1.0 Elkhound Cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute Cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

With a tank that large I would probably try to start off with adults. If you really want babies keep them in a smaller enclosure until they are at least a few months old. 55 gallons would probably stress out baby geckos and also make it harder for them to find food and water.

I really like tile NOW, but hated it at first when I switched from sand. It is easy to clean (just wipe it off), it's getting it out to disinfect it that's a real pain. The tile I have is fairly heavy and there is not much space between cracks making it difficult to get out. It was very easy to get the tile cut to size at home depot (measure before you go, I made that mistake). I as well use sand between the cracks, but with babies I wouldn't risk it. I find tile seems to conduct heat VERY well. At the same time you have to be careful because if your heating source doesn't work, or is not strong enough, the tile can become VERY cold to the touch. Do they like it as a substrate? I'm not sure, it is the closest thing to their natural enviroment. Just make sure you get some with a bit of grip, the shinny, glossy surfaces would probably be pretty uncomfortable.

The idea of a "bathroom" is not always as easy as it sounds. I have been tring to get mine to poop in the same spot for months. They don't always go where you want them to. I have one who used to poop in the water dish everyday, boy was that a pain.

For heat I use an UTH and a heat lamp for night viewing. Temps usually stay between 90 to 95 on the hot side (about 80 on the cool side). The temp stays pretty much the same at night, maybe a few degrees lower because of the UV light which is mainly for viewing and the live plant, I know it's a bit unnecessary. My tank is 18" high as well. So far this has been working for me.

Here is a picture of my 33 gallon, sorry the picture is not very good.

Lisa

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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino Pacman Frog
1.0 Lovebird (Tony)
1.0 Elkhound Cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute Cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Thanks for the great advice. I think I will start out with an 11" x 17" UTH (any recommendations on brand of under-tank heater?)and a night light. The UTH is a definite, but maybe I'll experiment with the lights above. I'm going to get the tank all set up before I get the leos, so I should be able to get it all figured out. I've read about blue lights and red lights and incandescents. I am pretty sure I don't wamt an incandescent, but I'll try the red or blue. If those don't get the temp. right, then I'll try a ceramic bulb for heat. I'm not sure of the wattage, and I don't want to buy too many of those ceramic bulbs at $30.00 a whack, but I'll try one out if need be.
Thaks again for the advice and ideas. As far as adults vs. babies: I will discuss this with the breeder and see what he thinks considering what his stock is used to and their ageas when I get them.
Dean

I acctually just have $25 UTH's, I think they are just zoomed. I haven't had any problems with them, one I have used for over 5 years. Just make sure that if it does malfuntion and become way too hot that the geckos have somewhere cool to escape. It's so sad seeing and hearing about burned animals, what a horrible way to go. As for lights I use the red "heat" light for my higher tank, it's only 50 watts but it is still hotter than my blue 75 watt light. However, the price difference is huge, the red one (which is mean for basking) was $25 I think, the blue one (which gives off some heat, but is basiccally just meant for viewing) was $6.

Lisa
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino Pacman Frog
1.0 Lovebird (Tony)
1.0 Elkhound Cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute Cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas