Gecko Setup?

I am getting a gecko this weekend..And its not my first gecko but its been about 2 years since i have one. I'm planning on using the same things i used for my other gecko (cleaned of course). I want to know how i should set up my gecko's home.

This is what i have:

10 gallon tank

also a undertank heater for the hot side

1 half log hide

2 dishes one i used for calcium and the other for water.

A few plastic containers i can use as hides and/or moist hide...



Id really appreciate it if someone could tell me how it be best to set the tank up with what i have.

Also i have the repti carpet, but i am almost convinced to use, paper towels from what ive read.

Your wood log and moist hide on the warm side, then a cool hide on the cool side. Food/water dishes towards the cool side. Make sure you get a bottle cap or a small dish and fill it with pure calcium without D3 (phosphorous free). Leave that in the tank at all time.

If I had to choose between paper towels and repti carpet, I'd choose paper towels. I know repti carpet may look better, but when it comes to cleanliness, paper towels can't be beat. Another A+ choice of course would be to find slate/ceramic tiles that'll fit. Tiles are my personal choice overall.

The only thing you are missing is a digital thermometer with a rpobe, or thermostat. You have those stick on thermometers and they are quite useless, as they measure air temperature. You need to know the floor temperature on the substrate you choose to use. That's why a digital therm with a probe is good as it'll allow you to lower the probe down to the floor and test the temperature on the floor. A temperature gun also works for this purpose.

If money isn't an issue, a thermostat is even better, as it'll regulate your UTH to make sure it doesn't get too hot. Having an UTH + thermostat, it's peace of mind 24/7 365 days a year.

Good luck!

What type of thermostat and what type of digital thermometer would you recommend?

Digital thermometer with a probe are all the same pretty much, they cost around $7-$10, you can buy them in pet stores or online pet shops. Brands don't matter as they seem to be of the same design, so they should all work.

Thermostat comes in all sorts of brands and make, and they vary in price. For general 1 tank usage, I'd recommend something cheaper but work well, like this one. It's probably the cheapest digital thermostat you can find, but it works well, as you can see by the reviews. Most other brands in this pricing range are analog type with a dial.

Okay and do i need a thermometer for both sides? and what should the temp be?


Also..those containers i have which one would be best for a moist hide? and which one would do good as hid on the cold side?

You just need 1 thermometer (or if you use thermostat you don't need a digital themometer). Warm side should be 90-95 degrees F, cool side should be your room temperature in the 80's, or mid-70's at night. If your room temperature drops below 70 at night, you may need to get a ceramic heat lamp to supplement the heating needs.

As for the containers, I like the blue one for moist hide. Check here and scroll to the bottom to see how you can cut it.

Okay Thank you SOOO much!

BLAHHHH!! my UTH just stopped working!!! So off to get a new one...What size should i have for a 10 gallon tank?

Whichever will cover 1/3 of your tank. If you get the Zoo med reptitherm, I think that's the "small" ones.

Just to add to what Mardy has said, there is a great sticky in the housing section on how to construct the perfect leo habitat. Might be worth a read.

Okay..going to look for it now

Okay this helped me out A LOT!!! 2 questions though, Im going to be using paper towels until i get some good tile. The probe of the thermometer needs to be where the UTH is on top of the paper towel, correct?

The moist hide box, where should it be located..hot or cold side or in the middle?

1. Correct

2. Hot side or middle, but it should sit on the warm floor so it gets the sauna effect inside the moist hide.