Leopard Gecko Checklist

[jhs0718]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you guys could go over a list of everything I want to initially buy for my future leopard gecko? If you could please provide any feedback that you can think of, that would be much appreciated. You will notice however that I have left out the food and substrate. That is because I am still deciding and researching on food and will probably post another thread discussing my thoughts on what to feed. Also, I have left out the substrate, because I have not decided or researched enough to find out what I will use. If you have any ideas on a great substrate I would love to hear them. However, I am against using paper products/unnatural looking things, because I like the natural look, and I believe that it will better help my leopard gecko feel as though they are in their natural habitat. So, I am aiming for the most natural environment as far as substrate goes and would like some input on that. Anyways, here is my current list, please comment on anything and everything!

Exo Terra Terrarium (24"x18"x12")(lxwxh)- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008N9LRCK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A2DW5FJX4FAVYN&psc=1

Zoo Med ReptiTherm Heat Mat (8"x6")-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AQCKA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?smid=A14IZ8JAGKKH3G&psc=1

Jump Start Thermostat Control (for heat mat)-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZZG3S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Zoo Med Thermometer/Humidity Gauge (2-pack)-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D4DF4K8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=ANR5YPF4UNO1A&psc=1

Exo Terra Reptile Cave (medium)(cool hide)-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F3YJ9O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A2NJ9DTMREYSLB&psc=1

Exo Terra Gecko Cave (large)(moist hide)-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YDHDSC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A3RFV9HS8845OH&psc=1

Exo Terra Reptile Cave (large)(warm hide)-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR5B0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A2Z97RC3GHC1Y&psc=1

Exo Terra Feeding Dish-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR4C0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Exo Terra Water Dish-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR4B6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

[Tedward]

The list looks good.

I'm a big fan of tile substate. It's extremely easy to clean, conducts heat and looks great as well.
The caves for the moist and hot hides are quite large and would take up a lot of the space in that terrarium. I use a medium gecko cave and a medium exo terra cave and they're quite big. If you have a reptile store around you go check out the hides in person. It's easier to gage how they'll look in the terrarium.
I would get a bigger heat mat though. An 11x17 ultraherm or a flukers would be a good choice.

Good luck! There's lots of great people here that will answers questions

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

For an Exo Terra 24 x 18 x 12, I suggest Ultratherm's 11 x 17 inch heat mat. This will not be overkill. Zoo Med's 8 x 6 inch heat mat is way too small.

I use the Jump Start for my leo's enclosure. It works very well.

 

[jhs0718]

Thanks for the replies guys! I have changed the sizes of those hides to all mediums, and if for some reason they are too small in the future, I can always upgrade. I also am going to go with Ultratherm's 11x17 heat mat, but am wondering how I would set that up in this specific terrarium. Which means that I do not know which way I would set it up, with the 17" going the longer side of the cage or the 17" going the shorter side of the cage. If that makes sense? Also, I am a little confused on how you set it up, it seems like most people use foam or something but I have no idea what that entails haha. Thanks!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for the replies guys! I have changed the sizes of those hides to all mediums, and if for some reason they are too small in the future, I can always upgrade. I also am going to go with Ultratherm's 11x17 heat mat, but am wondering how I would set that up in this specific terrarium. Which means that I do not know which way I would set it up, with the 17" going the longer side of the cage or the 17" going the shorter side of the cage. If that makes sense? Also, I am a little confused on how you set it up, it seems like most people use foam or something but I have no idea what that entails haha. Thanks!

You're welcome.

Place the 17 inch side of the UltraTherm along the shorter side of the cage (along the 18 inch width, NOT the 24 inch long length).

• First comes the glass cage
• Then the Ultratherm underneath
• Then the styrofoam sheet just big enough to cover the heat mat

If you're placing the enclosure directly on top of furniture, be sure to place tiles, wood, or bottlecaps at the corners (and maybe in the center) to elevate the enclosure off the furniture. That provides airflow so the heat mat works properly.