Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Guys, I got my little buddy last night. His name is Leo ( i didnt realize people commonly use that as an nickname. Well anyways, I've got a 20gal tank I have on my Huuuuuuge dresser. I put a towel down under it, now I have to big books, because im scared about the heatpad messing up the dresser. And basically thats my question, do you think it would mess the dresser up? Because I would like a stand but I cant really seem to find any. Another question, should I use the lamp at night and day? Or should I get a different bulb for it. The lady at the store told me to just get that and the heat pad. But I know he cant like the white light. Plus any pointers anyone has. He is a baby too, I think a couple weeks old, I dont know they jsut said he is a baby and really young. Plus I see they have different kinds of leopard geckos, I got a picture on my myspace if anyone has it and can take a look at it.
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With the under-tank heaters (UTHs), I'd use the circular rubber feet you can get at the harware store. They're small but large enough to raise the cage to keep the UTH off the dresser and let air through. Yes you need these. They look like little clear rubber circles attached to a white piece of paper. You peel them off and stick them on.

Don't use UV light w/leos. Use a red NON-UV nocturnal reptile bulb. Whether you need both the heat lamp and a UTH depends on your particular temperatures. Everyons's set-up is different. You need a warm and cool side of the tank to create a temperature gradient. You also need a thermometer at each end. Use these to see which heat mechanisms you need.

Leos need adequate temperatures to digest food properly, maintain metabolism and immune function, etc...without a warm side of at least 88F and a cool side, leos experience issues such as digestive problems, immune syst. suppression, anorexia, and are most susceptible to parasites and systemic infections. Use the temperatures listed on the following care sheets as guidelines for setting up Leo's cage:

Courtesy of Marcia McGuinness and Golden Gate Geckos:
www.goldengategeckos.com/care.html

Brian @ Milwaukee Reptiles has a LONG list of links to care sheets, plus some of his own:
www.milwaukeereptiles.com/leopardGeckoCare.php

These sheets should tell you most of what you need to know and they will tell you how to make a "Humid Hide" or "Moist Hide" for Leo -- these are essential, otherwise you will encounter shedding problems.

Good luck!

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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"