leopard geckos ?????? (2)

[shook1s]

This is my setup. Any feedback on placement would be great on what I'm missing. I'm not adding the gecko for a week so there is time to change. Sorry about the pic quality its off my phone. The 3 bowls in the larger dish are for calcium, water, and food. I am returning the light as well it is just there for picture purposes. I am going to get a red light instead, besides the fact that the 5 mins it was on there the 150 watt bulb started melting the plastic framing.

[Vicious_Fish]

Looks good so far. If you're going to get babies, I would get rid of the big bowl and use the dishes as they will be much easier for a baby to reach. Maybe even get a smaller hide to make a baby feel more secure.

[darkcirca]

I'd recommend another hide as well. Also, be careful getting 2 juveniles, as sometimes both are males and you have to deal with separation. I never house my geckos together until they are full grown adults (I'm very skeptical of the sex and do not want early breeding/fighting).

I'm not too certain on that hammock either. The small geckos could get stuck on it with their little nails. Just something to think about...

[ordinaryoddity]

id be careful w/ the spaces in between the tiles, their feet could get caught

try filling them w/ sand or silicone

[shook1s]

id be careful w/ the spaces in between the tiles, their feet could get caught

try filling them w/ sand or silicone

I was actually thinking about the gaps. Is there a certain epoxy or silicon I should use that will be non-toxic or will any sealant do? Thanx again for the feedback!!!

[shook1s]

One more thing. I plugged the heat pad in with the rheostat attached and it does not feel all that warm. It's definitely warmer than room temp., but the thermometer is only reading 78*. I have the rheostat turned to high. The therm. as you can see in the pics is suspended above the tile, so there is probably a slight temp. falloff. I know it should be 88-90* though. Does this process take more time or is a supplemented heating source needed to achieve optimal temps? If another heat source is required i.e. ceramic heater, can both devices be plugged into the rheostat (there are 2 outlets on mine)?

[Vicious_Fish]

You should really pick up a digital thermometer because those old school ones don't work very well. Do you have a top for that cage? If it has a screen, a lot of the heat will escape. You can try making a top out of wood or plexiglass. Or you could place a flat piece of wood or cardboard over the far end doesn't have the heat lamp. That will help hold in some of the heat.

[shook1s]

You should really pick up a digital thermometer because those old school ones don't work very well. Do you have a top for that cage? If it has a screen, a lot of the heat will escape. You can try making a top out of wood or plexiglass. Or you could place a flat piece of wood or cardboard over the far end doesn't have the heat lamp. That will help hold in some of the heat.

I will definitely pick up a digital thermometer. I do have a screen top and will consider in the future fshioning something to trap heat. That will have to wait a bit for financial reasons. Also just curious about sealing the tiles. Any suggestions?

[Vicious_Fish]

I will definitely pick up a digital thermometer. I do have a screen top and will consider in the future fshioning something to trap heat. That will have to wait a bit for financial reasons. Also just curious about sealing the tiles. Any suggestions?

I would just sprinkle a bit of play sand between the tiles to keep them from shifting and pinching gecko toes.

[darkcirca]

Play sand works good, and GE Silicon I (NOT mildew resistant) if you want to use silicon, or you can buy aquarium silicon from a pet store.

I'd get a digital thermometer as well as a temp gun. Leopard geckos need 88-90F in surface temp. I do not keep a lid on my 40 gallon breeder, but the temp stays correct. I use ZooMed heat mats though on my tanks. I tried the Exo-Terra ones but had no luck, so I stuck with ZooMed.

[shook1s]

I'm a little confused because in earlier posts most of you said NO sand, but it's ok to fill the seams between the tiles? Is the sand you're suggesting a different type? Also, is the digital themometer you're referring to one that sticks to the back of the tank or lies beneath it near the heat mat? And finally, is it necessary to supplement the heating with the ceramic heater or is it something that can be done at a later date. I only ask because it would be getting rather pricey at the moment, but if it's necessary I will definitely do it!! Sorry about all the questions I just want to make sure I am successful and don't harm the geckos. Thanx for all the advice I really appreciate it.

[Vicious_Fish]

A little bit of sand between the cracks won't hurt. You just don't want them constantly on sand when they're babies. You could also try what darkcirca suggested.

You can use any of the things suggested for a heat source. You might need a ceramic heat element and you might not. The only thing that matters is that you are giving your geckos the proper temperatures that they need to survive. For instance, I keep my leopard geckos in my basement which stays around 67 degrees. Because it's cool down there I have to use a heat pad and a ceramic heat element to get the temperatures I need. Different things like tank type, lid type, tank placement, etc.... all play a roll in how you will have to heat your tank.

And finally, here's a link with a picture of a digital thermometer.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/431/product.web

[shook1s]

A little bit of sand between the cracks won't hurt. You just don't want them constantly on sand when they're babies. You could also try what darkcirca suggested.

You can use any of the things suggested for a heat source. You might need a ceramic heat element and you might not. The only thing that matters is that you are giving your geckos the proper temperatures that they need to survive. For instance, I keep my leopard geckos in my basement which stays around 67 degrees. Because it's cool down there I have to use a heat pad and a ceramic heat element to get the temperatures I need. Different things like tank type, lid type, tank placement, etc.... all play a roll in how you will have to heat your tank.

And finally, here's a link with a picture of a digital thermometer.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/431/product.web

Alright I will get the thermometer and get a proper reading, then determine if I need an extra heater. I went to home depot this morning and they told me to use grout, but I don't really trust them so I think I will fill the gaps with the calcite sand I got as the original substrate. Should I also fill around the edges with sand? There are tiny 1/16" gaps around the tiles because if I cut the tiles longer to fill those gaps they don't sit flush on the bottom, due to the seal around the tank edges. Thanks again.

p.s. vicious_fish I like the new avatar

[Vicious_Fish]

Alright I will get the thermometer and get a proper reading, then determine if I need an extra heater. I went to home depot this morning and they told me to use grout, but I don't really trust them so I think I will fill the gaps with the calcite sand I got as the original substrate. Should I also fill around the edges with sand? There are tiny 1/16" gaps around the tiles because if I cut the tiles longer to fill those gaps they don't sit flush on the bottom, due to the seal around the tank edges. Thanks again.

p.s. vicious_fish I like the new avatar

Those digital thermometers are pretty cheap and I haven't run into any problems with them. Heat guns are great to have but are not that necessary unless you have lots of tanks and animals. As long as you buy a digital therm with a probe, you can place the probe in different sections in the tank to get a reading on the temperatures.

I think you'll be fine with sand in all the cracks around the edges too. I don't know what the chemical composition is in grout but the problem with sealing it is that it will be hard for you to take out and clean the tiles when needed.

Thanks, I was bored at work so I was fooling around with one of my drawings in photoshop. :D

[leoslizards]

Everything looks fine. I would just remove the large bowl or at least add some stones or rocks so that they can easily climb in and out. I would also add alot more hides for them. Nothing fancy, some paper towel rolls or pvc pipes will do. Add them next to the bowl, behind and next to the log. There's no need for the light bulb neither. Adding heat on top of a heat pad/mat is a bad idea. Your heat mat should give you at least 84-90º and you'll be fine. 90º F is best for a healthier and nicer looking leo. Try removing the rheostat and see what temps the mat reaches. You'll need a better thermometer though to measure the exact temps. Also fill in the cracks with play sand as someone suggested.

Remember to post pics of your new baby when you get him/her. :)