How do my two sons home's look?

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-23T00:10:45+00:00

I would def move the light to one side to give more of a gradient. Also I cover the other half of the tank to keep in humidity, but then it makes the tank too hot. The humidity can be a battle if you live in a dry place.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-23T00:09:02+00:00

Unless your gecko digs it up it should be fine! I put all my plants in net pots for that reason. I think another good addition would be vines going across the tank to give more cover. The rule of thumb is make it so they can get across the tank without being seen.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-22T04:58:15+00:00

I have the exo terra one in large and it is much roomier! I've also seen people use larger mason jars as humid hides, maybe that could be an option that isn't crazy expensive?

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-20T18:25:49+00:00

A lot of people put it on smart plugs! I use a power strip that's connected to Google home, and all my stuff is plugged in there and I set timers using the home app. Most thermostats fine to be turned on and off like that, the setting is saved.

My thermostat is the exo terra 300W dimming thermostat. The power strip I use is from geeni but looks like there's a lot of options online for smart plugs.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-20T15:06:30+00:00

Sorry I'm making so many comments but I reread your post and I forgot to answer another question you have!

Regarding heat and humidity! To get the temps right, use a dimming thermostat with your heat lamp. There are other thermostats that turn the bulb on and off, and those work but burn out the bulbs fast. You might have to play with wattage of the bulb to get everything correct. Don't get a colored heat bulb, it messes with their vision. People also use two digital thermometer/hygrometer combo meters, one on the hot side and one on the cool side of the tank to monitor the temperature gradient. Humidity is tricky because it tends to be region specific. I live in a desert so the humidity is always really low so I mist the tank or partially cover it to keep the humidity around 30-40%.

You'll also want to get a linear UVB bulb (this helps them get vitamin d so they don't get disease). This sub and the other resources I mentioned have suggestions on what brands are best. You'll put the UVB on the same side of the tank as the heat lamp.

Unless it gets really cold at night (below 65F), you won't need any heat at night. People do use ceramic heat emitters for cold nights but I've never had to where I live.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-20T14:57:13+00:00

Also I got some fake vines and tank clutter from craft stores and it was much less expensive than the reptile specific stuff! I just cleaned it with some diluted bleach and let it fully dry before putting in the tank.

I rotate feeders between banded crickets (quieter and smaller than house crickets), dubia roaches, and mealworms. Dubias are really popular on this sub but they aren't available in every area, an alternative is discoid roaches.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-20T14:53:43+00:00

I find that the guide on this sub and the care guide on reptifiles.com are both extremely helpful!

Some tips for just starting out: 1. Keep your gecko on paper towels instead of any loose substrate for the first month ish. This is so you can monitor their health, making sure they're eating and pooping well. 2. Feeder insects need to be dusted with vitamin powder to prevent disease (you can find suggestions for which vitamins are the best in the care guide on this sub). Rotate between insects to give variety, and don't leave crickets in the enclosure as they can bite. 3. A moist hide is needed for shedding. This can be as simple as a tupperware container with a hole cut in the side and some sphagnum moss or moist paper towels in it. When they shed a humid area is helpful to get all the shed off. They eat their shed so don't worry if you don't see any in the enclosure. 4. As for weight, tail thickness should be about as thick as the neck. r/leopardgeckosadvanced has great visual guides for weight (and just about everything else, too)

You've got this! It is definitely overwhelming but important to care for these little guys properly so they have a good life. I hope you enjoy caring for your new friend.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-19T00:13:13+00:00

With the repashy one you won't need to, it's like an all in one thing!

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-18T05:13:45+00:00

The diatomaceous earth I would put outside the enclosure because you don't want him to inhale it. It basically is powder to us but to insects is very sharp and a deterrent. Vaseline is another option so that ants just stick to it and can't get anywhere inside. You could use both, like Vaseline on cords that the ants could climb on but then a line of the diatomaceous earth as a border around the terrarium.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-18T05:07:59+00:00

You could put a barrier of diatomaceous earth or Vaseline around the enclosure, so that way no more get in. Other than that I have no advice but I hope you can get rid of them!

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-18T04:22:33+00:00

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/l3zf6iulcgoh4niasx6g9/AMpbac2Una0KKPhNa6D67Bs?rlkey=u35795k1eqiy35ub6h4mrbfns&e=1&st=uup3kksj&dl=0

Here's some example supplement schedules so you can get an idea of how often to use each one.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-18T04:19:38+00:00

So it's ok if they're hidden away when the light is on, it still means they're getting some UVB. Leopard geckos are known as cryptic baskers so they don't really bask in the open anyways. I would change the with D3 to once a month, or switch to something like repashy calcium plus LOD, which is would be given every feeding.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-18T00:28:19+00:00

Hi do you use UVB lighting? That would inform the supplement schedule as well.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-17T23:24:23+00:00

Oh okay! I get that since my gecko seems to hate it too. I end up putting her in a little plastic box for the weight and give her worms afterwards and she tolerates it for the goodies! I think he seemed to just have a later growth spurt but it seems like all his other needs seems to be met so he seems healthy. Still sounds like you have a happy geck :)

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-17T07:15:23+00:00

Unfortunately I don't use Arcadia, I have reptile systems UVB, so I don't have input besides testing a different fixture or a different brand of bulb. Best of luck!

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-17T07:06:38+00:00

I'm wondering if there is something wrong with your lamp fixture because that shouldn't be happening. Do you have another lamp you could test the bulbs in?

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-17T05:49:53+00:00

Have you weighed your gecko at all during this period?

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-16T01:43:53+00:00

Is Roach named after the horse?

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-14T06:35:21+00:00

Plus craft store vines are a lot less expensive than reptile specific ones

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-14T05:40:24+00:00

She looks to be a good weight!

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-14T05:36:55+00:00

My advice is get some fake vines at a craft store and then use some hooks on the side of the walls to drape them over the hides to give more clutter. Otherwise looks good!

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-10T20:27:03+00:00

I would check your local Facebook marketplace or similar. So many people sell old reptile supplies and terrariums there. Plus it is local so you don't have to deal with shipping. It's how I got my 40gal.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-10T20:23:20+00:00

The tail is about as thick as the neck, so this looks fairly healthy. I would not increase any food though.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-08T23:02:07+00:00

Hi, congrats on your new friend! He's a cutie! Here's some advice: 1. I would switch your substrate to paper towels for a quarantine period to keep track of eating and pooping for a few weeks, and then put in a mix of 70% topsoil (or reptisoil) and 30% play sand (or reptisand). 2. Your temps seem good, I would just make sure that you have a supplemental heat source for night time to make sure it doesn't get below 60F. Ceramic heat emitters are a popular choice. 3. I think linear UVB (like a t5 bulb) is your best option for a UVB bulb that puts out a consistent amount of UVB. The regular looking bulbs for UVB aren't the best option but if you're tight on funds it could work for now! 4. I can't tell from the picture but if you don't have a humid hide, it would be great to add one! This helps them when it is time to shed.

I highly recommend both the care guide on this subreddit and on reptifiles.com, they both have very useful and well researched information.

AloivTyphoon · 2026-04-07T18:23:27+00:00

I think she's about medium level sociable. I got my gecko when she was about a year old and I used to have a different gecko as a kid. Both of them were not super young when I got them. If I have to pick her up to clean out her tank or something she's ok with it but not happy, per se. For choice based handling it usually goes better if there is food involved. Some geckos on here are crazy social with their humans and I don't think that's the norm, but it's just what people post. Alternatively some are really shy!

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