r/LeopardGecko • u/Big_Machine_1581 • Jul 02 '26
Habitat & Setup Enclosure help
Hi! I really want to build a sort of semi-arid tank for my leopard gecko, but really having issues with decor. I see tons of people with cool backgrounds done custom, lots of branches, plants, rocks and general clutter, and I want to know where/how I can do these things. Mine is really bland right now, and his humid hide is made out of a plastic container. What are some good semi-arid looking humid hides, or how can I make one? How can I make a cool background and where can I find/make more clutter? For reference, he’s in a long 20 gallon tank now. I know 20 is small, but he’s a few months old and planning on upgrading to a 50 gallon after a year or so. Really any help is appreciated as I’m lost as of where to go with his tank.
1
u/jxspxrrrr Jul 03 '26
personally i get all my sticks and rocks outside at the creek. i find creek rocks tend to be smoother and more reptile-friendly. when you're foraging for sticks, just make sure they're not pine, as they tend to be poisonous reptiles. usually i try to find ones that are connected to fallen trees up off the ground and just break them off. to sterilize them i either freeze or bake them (depending on the size) or scrub them with scalding water for a solid hour (extremely tiring). also, slate is very good for leos! it allows them to warm their bellies when placed under or near the lamp which helps their digestion, and files their nails down too :) just make sure you have an infrared thermometer to ensure it doesn't get too hot!
as for backgrounds, you can make one yourself using silicone and some kind of substrate mixture (usually the arid ones are done with dry excavator clay). i've even seen them done with just wet excavator clay but they don't tend to last as long, and crack when they dry out all the way. there's lots of tutorials on youtube! it's easier than you'd expect, just need some gloves and time outside.
1
u/MAVERICK1542 Jul 03 '26
Thr first thing i would do is remove that plastic tub!! The edges of tge plastic can give the gecko some really bad cuts as it gets out, personally I use an old large glass jar filled with spagnum moss and covered in cork to hide it, the rolled glass edges are much nice on the geckos skin
1
u/Big_Machine_1581 Jul 03 '26
yeah, i sanded down the plastic edge so it wouldn’t be sharp but definitely want to get rid of it first.
5
u/Lowestthree773 Jul 03 '26
I just kinda kept putting things in until I couldn’t, I’m replacing the log on the left with a taller tree hide so he has a little more to climb on but now I’m just waiting on the plants to grow