Needing Info about leopard geckos

[logan4321]

I was watching a reptitherm under tank heater review by zoomed and they said to avoid paper towels?

 

[SukiLove]

I do have a layer of slate tiles down, then paper towel over their poop corner so that may be why it works for me. I've found that the temperature has been consistent with them, and that is why I like it. Just be sure the UTH you get is 8 watts, some are 6 or 7 watts and they do not get warm enough.

 

[logan4321]

Once I get the stuff I'll probably use reptile carpet to be safe. And any good thermostat recommendations? Also tell me if the heat pad is high enough power / watage. Also tell me if this list is good or bad now that I worked on it.

List:

Tank: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Basic-Aquarium-empty-10-gallon-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/10312733
Top screen: http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/accessories/grreat-choice-reptile-screen-cover-zid36-15053/cat-36-catid-500029

Substrate: http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11608-Terrarium-Liner-10-Gallon/dp/B001OVGQ9S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441641691&sr=8-1&keywords=Reptile+carpet+10+gallon&pebp=1441641807913&perid=1P5YYBMVQT7FXT0ERWA0

Hides: Warm end: http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Reptile-Cave-Medium/dp/B001F3YJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441641754&sr=8-1&keywords=reptile+hide

Colder end / Moist hide: http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Reptile-Shelter-Medium/dp/B000BNZTAC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441641807&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=reptile+shelter

Heat pad: (Would the 8lx6w be good for a 10 gallon, and is it high enough power/watage?)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQCKA/ref=twister_B00ZK0JZ42?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thermometer: http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1441641968&sr=1-2&keywords=thermometer+zoo+med

Water dish: http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Water-Dish-Small/dp/B0002AR4AW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1441642079&sr=1-2&keywords=food+dish+reptile+small

And please give me thermostat suggestions that aren't really expensive.

 

[SukiLove]

You don't really need a thermostat, the UTH will just stay on. If you are going to use one to regulate temperature you could try this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S
Otherwise you leave the heat pad on, and that size will do fine for a 10 gallon. If you find that it's getting too cold you could supplement with a low wattage ceramic heat emitter. The zoo meds are 8 watts, so it's fine power-wise as well.

 

[logan4321]

besides that is it a good setup?

 

[logan4321]

And do I unplug it at night? And when should I plug it on in the morning and when should I turn it off at night?

 

[logan4321]

On another forum they said that I should get a 20 gallon and my hand might scare them reaching down. Also they said that I would need 3 hides instead of 2, a warm moist hide, a dry warm hide, and a colder dry hide.

 

[SukiLove]

Most reptiles will scare at first when you reach down on them, it's just a matter of getting them used to being handled. I leave my heat pad on 24 hrs for my geckos, they are desert reptiles so they need the heat. I do have 3 hides for mine, but honestly mine never use the cooler dry hide. It could just be mine's preference. A lot of gecko's are kept with only 2 hides and do just fine, usually they are in tubs on a rack so that could be the difference. A 20 gallon would be the best size, but a 10 gallon would work as a minimum size enclosure for 1 gecko.

And yes, your list is good.

 

[logan4321]

I might just get a 10 gallon so whenever I get a gecko I can upgrade sometime. And what should the temps be and should they be the same all day and night? And would It hurt the gecko to just have a colder moist hide and a warm dry hide?

 

[logan4321]

I might just get a 10 gallon so whenever I get a gecko I can upgrade sometime. And what should the temps be and should they be the same all day and night? And would It hurt the gecko to just have a colder moist hide and a warm dry hide?

 

[SukiLove]

You definitely want the moist hide to be warm. Belly heat should read 90 degrees (directly on top of heating pad), warm side about 80 degrees and moving over to about 70 degrees on the cool side.

 

[logan4321]

So should I have a warm moist hide and a colder other hide you recommended instead of the log?

 

[SukiLove]

That would work fine. 'Cold' hide doesn't mean its actually cold, if you keep it on the cool side of the tank it still should be 70 degrees in it. It's about giving them options to thermoregulate.

 

[logan4321]

Do I keep the warm hide directly on the heat pad? And I should keep the under tank heater on 24/7

 

[SukiLove]

Yes to keeping the heat under the tank 24/7. For the warm hide I keep right next to the heat pad, or have a part of it over top. You want to leave plenty of room for your Leo to be able to lay down over the heat pad to help warm up and digest meals.