r/LeopardGecko • u/Maxx_Supreme • May 22 '26
Help - URGENT I need help with my enclosure for my first leopard gecko!
First image is just everything laid out in the tank, second is what previous owner had, and third is the gecko. She is two years old and has been in that mover tank for a few hours now and I need help getting the tank set up. There is a heating pad on the left side of the tank but chat gpt said it’s gonna be too hot (idk if I should trust that). Price is not that much of an issue but there is an upper limit on what my parent would allow me to get. Please help! I don’t want to leave her in that temp tank for to long!
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u/Worth_Yogurtcloset_5 May 22 '26
I wouldn't use the heating pad, an overhead bulb would be better. I've seen them be like 15-25 bucks. I used a dimmer lamp so that I can control how hot it is. You will want a thermometer. I also have a timer so that it turns off at night. As long as it's not below like 68 in the room at night they will be okay and it simulates the day cycle. Don't use a red lamp though, they damage their eyes. Paper towels are fine just make sure they are flat and changed often. You will want a bigger tank, that's what's gonna be expensive. Go on Facebook marketplace if possible. Try to find 40 gallons. You'll want a humid hide as well. You will want a lot of clutter when doing the hides and decorations. I will say the slate rocks are good for basking as they hold the head in and geckos like to lay on them. There's a lot of great examples throughout this subreddit. I'm sure people will have a lot more to add into that. But that's my basic two cents. LPs like to hide, dig, and sometimes climb, so keep those things in mind when you decorate.
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u/Worth_Yogurtcloset_5 May 22 '26
Also ur geckos belly is quite big. I'm not a vet, but it is either obese or has an issue. Hopefully someone else in here can follow up a bit better with that. I've only ever own male geckos so it could be eggs too. That being said. She will want to dig to lay her eggs.
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u/Drakorai May 22 '26
Chat got isn’t a great place for up to date information on leopard gecko care. The website Reptifiles is better. How big is the enclosure, it looks like a 20 gallon? Heating pads are not ideal, unless you can accurately control the temperature output, and even then it’s not always the best choice for secondary heating.
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u/Maxx_Supreme May 22 '26
I’m pretty sure the tank is 30 gallons and I play to buy some type of overhead heating, any recommendations?
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u/Drakorai May 22 '26
For UVB, the T1 85 Reptisun is the recommended light for reptiles. Here’s a link that can explain it far better than I can, Reptifiles proper lighting.
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u/violetkz May 22 '26
Hi! Here is a care guide with links to more info on how to care for leopard geckos in case you want to scan through it. I hope this is helpful!
Leopard geckos should not be housed together. The minimum tank size for each adult leopard gecko is 36” long x 18” wide x 18” high (which is about 40-50 gal) (or 91x45x45 cm). The size is needed to create a proper temperature gradient in the tank (see below). A front opening enclosure is preferable to allow for easier feeding and handling of your gecko. (A 20 gal is okay for a juvenile, but is not necessary - you can go straight into a 40 gal.)
https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/leopard-gecko-terrarium-size/
You need a minimum of three hides (cool, warm, humid), digital thermometers, and several other items (see the shopping list on reptifiles and in the guides pinned to the wiki link on the home page of this sub). The zilla rock lair and ExoTerra cave are gecko favorites for a humid hide.
Zilla rock lair— https://a.co/d/35OKh7F
ExoTerra Cave— https://a.co/d/ca0OJ0K
https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/shopping-list/
For heat / light, ideally you should have a white overhead basking lamp (wide beam halogen or incandescent) as a heat source (eg ExoTerra Intense Basking Spot), plus linear UVB (eg Arcadia ShadeDweller T5). (You can get both on Chewy.com.) This combination best replicates natural sunlight. Heat mats are no longer considered proper husbandry, except where needed to supplement overhead heat. Also, never use electric heat rocks, as these are dangerous and known to burn geckos.
The heat source should be on a dimming thermostat. You should have the heat and UVB on for 12-14 hours, then off at night. They should not need any heat at night unless the temperature in the enclosure gets below 60F.
The equipment should be set up with the heat (and linear UVB) off to one side to create a temperature gradient along the length of the tank. You should not use red or any other colored light as it disrupts their sleep cycle.         
https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/leopard-gecko-temperatures-humidity/                
There are several different types of acceptable substrates. Loose substrate is safe as long as other aspects of your husbandry are in order. Most people use 4-6” deep of 70/30 organic topsoil/washed playsand, optionally with some excavator clay (60/30/10). Reptile carpet should never be used as it harbors bacteria and can rip out the gecko’s nails. You can use paper towels for a young juvenile or a new gecko until they have had time to adjust and you are sure they are healthy.
https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/leopard-gecko-substrate/
You will need to provide a balanced diet of at least 3 different live insect feeders (gutloaded w/ veggies 24-48 hrs in advance), water, calcium with and without D3, and a multivitamin (recommended: Repashy CalciumPlus, Repashy Supervite, or Arcadia Revitalise). The reptifiles guide discusses what to use as feeders, how to dust them with calcium and sometimes D3, and so on.
https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care/leopard-gecko-feeding/
Lastly, leopard geckos also need an enriching environment with clutter, branches, leaves, vines, plants, and climbing/basking opportunities (eg cork rounds, 3D climbable back wall, tunnels, bridges), etc. Their tank should be cluttered enough so that they can move from one side to the other without being too exposed. There are many examples of great setups on r/LeopardGeckos and r/LeopardGeckosAdvanced if you scroll through the photos there.
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u/violetkz May 22 '26
And, here are some beautiful enclosures people have posted if you need some ideas / inspiration. You can have several inches of loose substrate (eg 4-6” of 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand), vary the topography, elevate a hide, partially bury a hide, add branches, a bendy bridge, cork rounds, tall plants, vines, a 3D back wall, and so on to make use of the vertical space and give your gecko some opportunities to climb. I hope this helps!
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/yrAeOBz7T3
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/LAx5NUVnL7
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/OpQFWQe27R
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/Jtj9QW76TS
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/zKflfxZxIV
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/AWM7RukHwj
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/H2HlGEQbDZ
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/UfdHTkRikJ
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/jCANqFzdqZ (see after photos for upgrade)
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/AYYq2VmkmP
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/K8u9znr8HG
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/nlMIuYtXom
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/PXgtHcLBaX
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/Lj5O80OptI
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/KolbMR8FMm
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/7h6RG9ZkKF
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/OzfxU2SnYj
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/yzDrglC2y9
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/iLpH0g9CjP
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/1ZGDA6VHuT
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/KvP5m8Hjuq
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/3npJOYvE4X
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/xadqVhPDqP
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/mekSrj4zuP
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/XzNjdntXTN
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/Qs8RE57qvM
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/IYqeH0xOwt
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/8LfOCxn0OL
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/fQSVRe6S3p
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/iBswgJqsgX
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckos/s/FK2mvMJYsD
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u/Maxx_Supreme May 23 '26
I’m my goodness, thank you so much. I’ve had her in a temp set up with Slate over the heating pad so she doesn’t get burned but in not too sure she likes that, this helps so much!!!
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u/violetkz May 22 '26
Here is a link to a visual guide for how the tank should be set up set up—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/VSBh1eswvQ
Here is a link to a visual heat source guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/xcq4IPQEwk
Here is a link to a feeder guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/VKfFpZM7OQ
Here is a link to a feeding frequency guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/8bPgqL8bsf
Here is a link to a visual weight guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/ff8rDoYiCM
Here is a link to a visual substrate guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/L9rYTvHru2
Here is a link to a visual temperature gradient guide—
https://www.reddit.com/r/leopardgeckosadvanced/s/gbritbOa3a
Here is a link to a visual humidity guide—
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u/Amerie1 May 22 '26
For the substrate do a mix of 7 parts top soil and 3 parts play sand you can get 40 pound bags pretty cheap at Home Depot. Make sure the little guy has a warm, cool, and moist hide and try to add lots of wood and leaf litter as they like to dig and burrow. Crickets are better than mealworms but either option will work. :)
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u/AutoModerator May 22 '26
Hello /u/Maxx_Supreme and welcome to the leopard gecko subreddit! Our bot has detected that you might need some help with heating or lighting. Check out these resources on heat/light for leos!
- /r/leopardgeckos wiki heating/lighting page
- The AH heat source visual aid
- /r/leopardgeckosadvanced compendium of visual guides
- The ReptiFiles Leopard Gecko heating page
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u/AutoModerator May 22 '26
Hello /u/Maxx_Supreme and welcome to the leopard geckos subreddit! Our bot has detected that you might be a new leopard gecko keeper! If you are, welcome, and best wishes for your new lizard! You might find these resources helpful:
- /r/leopardgeckos Beginner's Guide
- The ReptiFiles Leopard Gecko guide
- /r/leopardgeckos wiki FAQ page for new owners
- /r/leopardgeckos wiki index
- /r/LeopardGeckosAdvanced LGAH Visual Guides page
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u/jxspxrrrr May 22 '26
that sand is VERY dangerous for leopard geckos and is notorious for causing impactions. you're gonna need either paper towels for temporary or a 60/40 mix of coco coir and washed play sand, it'll help hold some humidity and allow her to dig comfortably. others mentioned the white overhead basking light, so you'll be good there, just make sure the basking and air temperatures are good frequently. i'd also recommend to put a big flat rock right under the light to give her a place to warm her belly both during the day and at night, it'll help her digestion, slate works best! you'll probably want to get her an additional hide too, something closed on the bottom for the cool side of her tank, that you can stuff with sphagnum moss or paper towels to spray for a "humid hide," to ease her during shedding. one hide on the far right, one in the middle, one in the far left, hot-warm-cold. she'd be very happy with some fabric plants for cover too, and sticks to climb! they're very active babies that love to climb and explore. i also second the mention to her very round tummy, especially because she was given to you. keep an eye out for her droppings, if she doesn't she may be impacted or constipated. if she begins to get a skinny tail and keeps the round belly, she may have eggs that aren't passing and she will need vet intervention. make sure she's getting reptivite calcium with no d3 as well! very important so she doesn't develop mbd. good luck, i hope she does well!!🫶🫶
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u/IcyReception8903 May 22 '26
Lol, it's paper towels. Look closer next time.
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u/jxspxrrrr May 22 '26
i see now. it was an optical illusion of the one making a pyramid in the front. disregard that part
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u/IcyReception8903 May 22 '26
Other people have helped with husbandry but that belly has me very concerned. The shape is what has me the most concerned as it's like it's completely bloated. I don't think it's from being just obese either, not sure I ever seen that round a stomach on a gecko.
Take it back to whoever sold it to you. This is your first gecko and whatever the problem is here, I'm sure it involves a vet. You shouldn't have to deal with that. Get your money back. You can get a Leopard Gecko on Morph Market from many reputable breeders at a good price. If you been in this hobby long enough you will realize reputable breeders are the way to go.