alexleung
Egg
Art Center is kicking my butt!
Posts: 8
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Post by alexleung on Oct 14, 2015 21:52:52 GMT
Hi therz! i’m new to the community and will be getting a leopard gecko in January. Currently, I’m working on getting his set up ready. Right now, I just have the tank and a sponge (natural, not manufactured) that will be for his humid hide. But anyway, I have questions! Questions that don’t seem to be answered by the many care sheets and sites I’ve been through. - Can I stick with just crickets and be okay? What’s the best product to gut load them with, assuming I don’t have access to fresh food 24/7?
- Is it easier to breed the crickets or to just buy them? (It’s likely I’ll need to breed them, just because I don’t have a lot of money.)
- Do I need to feed them calcium?
 Like, do i need the calcium dish 24/7? - So many cricket questions. Anything I can do to soundproof their boxes, so they’re quieter? Or should I keep them in the garage? (is that even a good idea, bringing food back and forth from the garage to my room where the tank is?)
- Can I leave my leo for a couple weeks on vacation, and know he’s okay? Can I get him to eat a lot in preparation for vacation? (The vacation’s only two weeks long) Or will I have to find someone to feed my gecko? (I don’t know how old the gecko will be. I’m hoping to get a more adult sized one, but I’m open for younger ones. I know that younger ones need more consistent feeding though, so I’m worried)
- I’m confused about dusting crickets. I do it every other feeding, but I leave calcium in the tank? Wha?
- I’m getting a 20 gallon long, slate tiles (on top of paper towels for cushion). I know I need at least three hides, should I get more?
- Where the heck is the humid hide supposed to go? In the hot area, so that it’s more humid? In the cool area, so the water evaporates less? In the middle?
- What do I pick up the poop/pee with, and is there a specific way to dispose of it? (Does it smell? If so, how bad?) Can I dump it in my room’s trash can, which doesn’t get changed for months, or do I go to the kitchen trash can, which is taken out every day/every other day?
- My room, where the tank is, is usually lit for more than 12 hours. Like, the room is lit from 7am - 12 am. How will it affect him, and can I do anything for him?
- What hydrometer and/or thermostat is best? How many do I need, and where do I put them?
- Do I need to dechlorinate his water? With what?
Thanks for your time! Sorry for the long post |
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Post by littlereptile on Oct 15, 2015 17:10:19 GMT
hi there, and welcome! I did see your ask to followthebluebell on tumblr, but I'll go ahead and answer these to the best of my ability for other peoples' input. everyone else can chime in as they wish!! - Can I stick with just crickets and be okay? What’s the best product to gut load them with, assuming I don’t have access to fresh food 24/7?
I would not stick to just crickets. they're not all that nutritious compared to feeders like dubia roaches (best) or silkworms (expensive). here's a good chart! you want to aim for more protein but not TOO MUCH. variety is key! even if you stick with mostly just crickets, definitely get something different at least once or a couple times a month. and oranges or other leftover fruits, veggies, and even meats depending on the feeder will be good!
- Is it easier to breed the crickets or to just buy them? (It’s likely I’ll need to breed them, just because I don’t have a lot of money.)
I will say that if you can't afford to feed an animal, DO NOT GET IT. but aside from that, I've read they're simple to breed but... you don't want to. they make too much noise and get VERY stinky. - Do I need to feed them calcium? Like, do i need the calcium dish 24/7?
it's good to leave a calcium dish in the enclosure all the time so they can supplement themselves. you should read up on a care sheet that has a schedule on when to use just calcium and when to use a dust with more vitamins. - So many cricket questions. Anything I can do to soundproof their boxes, so they’re quieter? Or should I keep them in the garage? (is that even a good idea, bringing food back and forth from the garage to my room where the tank is?)
you can tape/glue/silicone foam on it to soundproof a little, but it won't help much (would be more for heat). keeping them in the garage is just fine. - Can I leave my leo for a couple weeks on vacation, and know he’s okay? Can I get him to eat a lot in preparation for vacation? (The vacation’s only two weeks long) Or will I have to find someone to feed my gecko? (I don’t know how old the gecko will be. I’m hoping to get a more adult sized one, but I’m open for younger ones. I know that younger ones need more consistent feeding though, so I’m worried)
I'm sure they'll be fine for two weeks if they're an adult. if they're a hatchling, absolutely not. if you have a planned vacation, get the gecko afterwards. you can also leave them at a reptile pet shop for a couple cents/a dollar a day for them to watch. you should check around, see if any shops around you will do that. - I’m confused about dusting crickets. I do it every other feeding, but I leave calcium in the tank? Wha?
again, find a care sheet that has a feeding schedule. the calcium fish is so they can supplement themselves if they want to.  - I’m getting a 20 gallon long, slate tiles (on top of paper towels for cushion). I know I need at least three hides, should I get more?
I always suggest, for any reptile, to fill up the enclosure! get many hides, logs, leaves, rocks, all sorts of things. provide enrichment! whether you use three hides or more/less, don't just give your gecko hides and a water dish. - Where the heck is the humid hide supposed to go? In the hot area, so that it’s more humid? In the cool area, so the water evaporates less? In the middle?
that's up to you and your weather! if it's cold and not very humid in your area, I'd put it over the warm spot. but the water will evaporate more. since I live in florida (hot and humid), I'd personally put it in the middle or on the cooler side. - What do I pick up the poop/pee with, and is there a specific way to dispose of it? (Does it smell? If so, how bad?) Can I dump it in my room’s trash can, which doesn’t get changed for months, or do I go to the kitchen trash can, which is taken out every day/every other day?
it depends on how often you clean! it'll be smelly but probably not too terribly so. and you pick it up as you would poop anywhere else, just with a paper towel. I do put my reptile poop in my garbage can, but it's covered and cleaned out about every three weeks. it's kinda gross to not change it for months, so I'd dispose of it in the kitchen garbage. - My room, where the tank is, is usually lit for more than 12 hours. Like, the room is lit from 7am - 12 am. How will it affect him, and can I do anything for him?
it depends on your gecko! but if their tank is covered in stuff, they'll probably be fine. you could also put a towel over the enclosure to block out the light. - What hydrometer and/or thermostat is best? How many do I need, and where do I put them?
I personally am using a hydrofarm thermostat. they're relatively cheap and work well. when you're able to, I'd suggest getting a herpstat. they're extremely reliable and accurate. for every heat source, you need one thermostat, so that depends on your setup. - Do I need to dechlorinate his water? With what?
I don't for my reptiles, but that will depend on your natural tap water. if you use something like a brita filter, you'll likely be just fine.
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Like, do i need the calcium dish 24/7?
