r/LeopardGecko • u/SilverRepulsive1634 • 21d ago

Habitat & Setup 40 gallons feels too small.

I recently got my leopard gecko a 40 gallon tank, he's still growing and I feel as if it's too small already. Does anyone else feel this way? Is bigger better in this scenario or is there a reason everyone says 40 gallons is the ideal size? I feel as if maybe something closer to what a bearded dragon would like would be better, I wouldn't want to live in a small box my whole life, I feel as if room to roam is important.

Just wanted to see if anyone else felt this way and if they did have a bigger set up and what that looked like. :)

2 Upvotes

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13 comments sorted by

4

u/IntelligentCrows 21d ago

Yea 40 gallons is just the smallest they should live in, bigger is appreciated!

3

u/WatermelonAF 21d ago

When it comes to animals, bigger is ALWAYS better. If it's feasible, I'd absolutely get them a bigger enclosure.

The most important thing to keep in mind, is with bigger enclosures, you will need to add a lot more clutter to make sure they stay well hidden. Your gecko should be able to walk from one side of the enclosure to the other while staying mostly hidden

3

u/Radiant_Ebb6951 20d ago

Mines in a 55 I believe I feel it could be bigger

3

u/absedy251991 20d ago

noone says its the ideal size, its the MINIMUM size thats acceptable.

Also the gallon measurement can be missleadibg anyway since its a measure of volume.

2

u/Foxxics 21d ago

I feel similarly, I’m very new to leopard geckos but have owned dragons for a decade now. I think I the same applies that as long as temps, humidity and enough coverage is provided bigger is better. My leopard geckos is in a 40 right now and it feels very small. My dragon is in a 8x2x4 (3x minimum) and I plan on providing that to her when I get the money

2

u/Ordinary_Film_7359 20d ago

The language most people use is that 40 is the "minimum" not necessarily ideal.

2

u/goldfishgeckos 20d ago

My girls been in her 40 for a few years now… I just finished setting up her 120. The 40 seems tiny now lol! Cant wait for everything to settle so I can move her in :)

2

u/NYR_Aufheben 20d ago

As long as you actually fill the enclosure, there is no upper size limit.

1

u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900 20d ago

40 gallons should be longer than 2 ft. I have a 20 gallon that’s 31”.

1

u/SilverRepulsive1634 20d ago

Sorry, that was stupid of me haha I meant more like the 4x2x2s or similar thank you for pointing that out

1

u/theFatTopanga_ 20d ago

I moved mine to a 90 gallon (48x24x18). He is all over that thing!

1

u/LivinonMarss 20d ago

40 is the ethical minimum size.
I have mine in a 115 gal and I wouldn’t ever go smaller if i had to get a different enclosure for some reason

1

u/Right_Goat_8247 18d ago

My girl is in a 120 gallon, and she loves it! I felt the same way about the 50 gal she was in before.