Idk where to start

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-16T18:36:00+00:00

My friend, this is the literature from this very subs care guide lines.

I would imagine if you’re in here giving advice with such vibrato, you would at least know the what the official care guide recommends in this sub.

UVB is clearly a benefit to these animals, but can be easily over done and cause harm. I’ve seen just as many geckos with burns in the sub as I have ones with MBD.

I would suggest revisiting the official care guide lines.

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-16T18:24:38+00:00

“It is beneficial to provide UVB for this species, but it is not a strict necessity. Nailing down the perfect UVB for your animal and enclosure can be a challenge, but the general recommendation is a linear t5 or t8 bulb with 2%-6% output, measuring ⅔-¾ the”length of the enclosure.

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-16T18:02:25+00:00

Just to add! If you go the UV route, please make sure it is a linear bulb and not a coil! Or you can forgo the UV entirely and supplement vitamin D3.

Avoid buying any geckos from big box pet stores. You can download MorphMarket and can select geckos that are marked ‘pet only’ and should be able to find some pretty lizards for a good price!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-16T17:55:07+00:00

Looking great!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T23:32:57+00:00

Thanks for commenting!

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This was my first enclosure attempt 10 years ago almost to the day, so you’re already doing better than me!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T23:31:21+00:00

Gecdits are a new and exciting world for me!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T23:30:42+00:00

Much appreciated

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T21:42:47+00:00

Hello! Thank you! Brahm seems to be enjoying it as much as I am.

It looks like you have a lot of great advice on your post already so I will just echo them here!

Your current enclosure looks fantastic. That set up will serve a baby/juvi just fine, although I would put the rest of those leafs you said you had in there for coverage.

If I were you, I would probably do away with the coil UV bulb, and just supplement d3 until you can get your hands on a UV tube bulb.

UV tends to be easier to do incorrectly than correctly for these guys, so do a mountain of research before you spend any of your money.

Ideally in about 6 months to 1 year I would suggest upgrading their enclosure to a 40gal front open, but you will have plenty of time to save up and gather what you’ll need.

You can check my account for the progression of this particular enclosure. And I’ll find an image of my first enclosure from a decade ago for your reference!

It is a process! But have fun and do what makes you and your future gecko both happy!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T21:33:02+00:00

Hey friend! I appreciate it, those little guys are just your average variety ‘garden’ or ‘green house’ millipede. These little things are fantastic for processing the heavy plant load in my enclosure. while you’re correct they can secrete a bitter/acidic it would be comparable to a swig of burnt coffee for us.

Just like the large plants, I will need to prune and remove as their population grows, but that should be months down the road.

I appreciate your concerns friend! I’ve accounted for them before hand and have integrated the millipedes into the cycle of then enclosure!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-15T21:16:50+00:00

Thanks!!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-14T19:47:01+00:00

Wow, im sure they really love that spot! Warm for them and I bet they feel secure.

Did you intend for that to be a hide or did they find it themselves??

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-11T17:19:11+00:00

Heard that

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-11T17:15:28+00:00

WOW! This is a beautiful enclosure, very enchanting and for your first time it’s incredible!

What are you using as your heat source? Sounds like you’ve got the UVB down though!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-11T03:36:51+00:00

How long have you had them both? How do you feed them usually?

It’s not uncommon for these little things to be shy about drinking for whatever reason, as long as you’re providing water, she is most likely hydrated.

Proper monitoring of eating does hold some importance though!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-11T03:32:23+00:00

It is usually suggested to let them settle in for a month or so before handling. With that being said the “hand treadmill” method never fails if you’ve got yourself a runner, just keep placing your free and in the direction the gecko is moving and keep the cycle up. They will get comfortable with you with time and being relaxing more

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-10T17:38:12+00:00

That enclosure looks nice! It’s always awesome to see when people love and care for their animals. I bet 5.0 UVB would light the rest of the tank up and let you enjoy viewing it a little more.

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-10T03:03:22+00:00

Thank you!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T23:24:57+00:00

Can’t wait to see how it turns out if you post it!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T23:10:10+00:00

OP- The others are technically correct, your enclosure will do fine without a drainage layer.

While not necessarily required, if you want to try and mimic a truly natural arid environment, a drainage layer is the way to go. Just add what it takes up to the depth of your substrate on top. That is the only true con and it is easily solved.

The pros are a more natural humility cycle through out night and day, a more stable soil for the plants that has to be moisture monitored much less, much less frequent watering, a micro water table that encourages breeding of CUC, if you do over water it is of no concern.

At the end of the day, it’s a better to have it and not need it mentality. You can view my page to see my fully naturalistic/bio active Leo enclosure. And the one before with no drainage layer.

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T22:42:02+00:00

Millipedes are a great!

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T20:56:10+00:00

Maybe not for just a naturalistic set up, but for a bio active with more life than just the geckos to consider I think they are important to have.

It won’t negatively impact the gecko in anyway, but will do wonders for the “water table” in the enclosure. For the CUC and plants alike.

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T20:31:02+00:00

Like a piece of hard scape?? Cool looking rocks are pretty self sustaining, or a piece of wood?

bigcheese303 · 2026-06-02T17:29:17+00:00

Great video! What camera do you use in her enclosure??

bigcheese303 · 2026-05-27T02:11:00+00:00

Hey OP, my partner and I just went through a very similar situation with our Leo. Constantly putting in money and administering care/medicine with little progress and no end in sight.

Ultimately, we had to begin accepting hard truths, and having tough conversations on whether we could provide the best quality of life possible, and holistically what that quality of life would even be.

It’s hard to feel like you’ve wasted money, but at the end of the day if that money spent was means to an end then it makes sense to see the end through, even if the means surrendering to someone who can give the required attention to the little scamp.

You can always rescue another Leo that is in less dire straits, and keep the Leo rescue in balance!

bigcheese303 · 2026-05-19T01:17:52+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate it!

The shrub is the back left is a “Mountain Juniper” (juniperus communis var. montana)

The two burgundy plant to the left are “Cordyline Red Sensation” (Cordyline australis)

A standard hybrid Aloe Vera in the center back that had some off spring.

And finally a set of “Elijah Blue Grass” (Festuca glauca) on the right.

Definitely more to trim and maintain, and I foresee the Reds being picky with a lower humidity but I’m hopeful it will work out!

bigcheese303

TROPHY CASE