new leopard gecko

yesterday I was able to get a leopard gecko. I didn't have much time to do research and stuff, and the gecko came with a cage, lamp, waterer, and a little rock. I thought I would be okay enough since I have a bearded dragon. so far it has been alright. I need to get him so insects soon though. They said it was a come and get now or never, so if I didn't come get it, then they would give it to someone else. So, I got a new leopard gecko. It is a 5 year old male.
my only problem is that the last owners didn't take care of it the best. They had it in blue sand, and you can tell that the sand has been there for a LONG time. When I get the chance tomorrow, I am going to put him on a carpet. Not only that, but out of all 20 nails, he only has 5. his tail is short, and quite fat, and they told me that last year his tail came off when their son had had him out. probably their son grabbed it, or stepped on it.
since I didn't get to research a lot before (I'm reading a few books now though) can I have any suggestions?

There are a couple good gecko forums out there, similar to this one that will have caresheets and advice. Look at geckoforum.net and geckosunlimited.com

I'd give the little guy some hides right away, you can make them out of plastic food tubs. Just cut a hole (no sharp edges though) in the lid so he can climb in. He will need three hides, warm, cool and a humid one in the middle.

Thank you. I will see what I can do, and check out those gecko forums. Thanks again, I will say anything if I have any other problems.

Here is a picture of Kahli and Kirby.