What Do I Need For A Gecko?

[Man of fish]

I want one but which ones are best and easy? Also what would I need?

 

[Man of fish]

Bump

 

[Man of fish]

Ive been reading all day and it sounds like leopard geckos are the best choice for beginners.
I know I'd need this stuff:
10 gallon tank (is bowfront ok or should I buy a new one instead of using an old aquarium?)
Metal mesh like lid thing
Light (I have a 15 watt incandescent 6" tube would this work?)
Heat mat for half the tank (best kind?)
Deco
Hideaway
Water dish
Food dish
Substrate
Food (what?)

What am I missing and could I only have one in a ten gallon?

 

[Man of fish]

any gecko people out there?

 

[Man of fish]

anybody? Anyone know of someone that could help me possibly?

 

[Man of fish]

Bump

 

[micko]

Wooden viv would be best but glass can work.
Heat mats vary and you'll have to find one that's best fit for your tank. You ideally want it half or less than half the size of your tank/viv.
I have two hiding rocks in the viv but he doesn't use them, he will sleep in a kitchen roll tube.
Substrates will vary with whoever your speaking to. I know a lot of breeders that will use a laminated card (easy to clean and cheap) I have used kitchen roll before with newspaper under it and its also worked well along with wood chippings (I forget the correct name for them)
A large water dish preferably a resin one will be best as at high temps it will evaporate quickly.
Calcium powder for dusting onto foods
Depending on what your pet shop supplies are like it might be worthwhile ordering in some medications if they don't supply it.
Foods are meal worms and crickets mainly. Wax worms as a treat but if you feed them wax worms too much they won't touch anything else and they aren't very good for them constantly.
Set of feeding tongs if your wanting to try and hand tame your gecko as feeding anything will usually mean it becomes tame whilst being handled.
You want a temperature guage too.

Leopard gecko's are easiest for beginners IMO but I know people who've kept reptiles for 20+years and never move away from keeping leo's. Are there any your looking at? What sort of morph are they?

 

[Man of fish]

I joined another reptile forum and the people there told me that crested geckos are alot easier. They said I wouldn't need a heat mat and my bulb would be sufficient if I got a crested. they also said they don't need to always be fed on bugs. Some other stuff too but I forgot. I may be leaning more towards a crested now.

Also on the substrate what about coconut fibre or any better options other than paper towels laminate card or slate tile? Those are the only ones I've read other than certain sands.

 

[micko]

Fruit?

Crested gecko's are great but I wouldn't say a beginners simply because they're jumpers. They can sit for ages and then just decide to jump off and can be quite hard to catch again once shocked. They can lose their tails like the leo but the crested gecko will not grow a tail again.

As for the lighting being sufficient I have never tried keeping the lights on 24/7 because their a nocturnal reptile and crested gecko's are a lot more active when the lights go out. Where will they get heat from then?

As for the substrates they will vary from person to person. If your talking to breeders on a forum they will want something that's quick and easy to clean because they usually have a few breeding pairs.
I'll look for the name of the wood I use.

 

[Man of fish]

Fruit?
Oh they said that they can be kept at room temp. and that they're easier with the right stuff since you don't always need to feed them bugs like you do leos.

 

[Paradise3]

I would say go for Leos but get a wooden viv. They look a lot nicer than a glass tank and they hold heat a lot easier.
For substrate I'd get Calci Sand as it's soft and it doesn't matter if they swallow some whilst trying to catch their food, they're known for pretty bad judgement. With all Geckos you will need to feed bugs at some point in their life, simply for exercise and nutrition.
Cresties need a temp range of 65-70F(18-21C) so really unless your house is warm I wouldn't risk going without a heat mat, especially in winter.

Personally, I think Leopards are better.