Going to be new leopard gecko owner...

[Gems]

Hi,

i have been searching around this evening, and am sure that you have answered these questions a hundred times before, but if someone could help me out please!!

We are going to be getting 1 or 2 leopard geckos in the near future, looking at vivariums etc, as to what we need. The vivarium we have seen is a wooden one, now if i was to buy it with the full set up it has one of the heat lamps, however i have done some reading and it appears that the heat mats are a common favourite? I know with the glass vivs they are put underneath however, having seen a vivarium we like how can i use a heat mat with it? Do you then just cover it with the substrate?

Also i know there is much choice in substrate, and quite some opinions out there, what is best for us to use??

If someone could please give us some advice.

Thanks

Gems

[shell2909]

ive just moved my leo into a wooden viv with the heat mat underneath, at the moment its not hitting the right temps, so need to buy a higher wattage. loose substrate isnt really good as it can cause impaction, i use lino tiles, whilst other ppl prefer kitchen roll.
you could also search here for substrates and heat in the search bit

[andy007]

Hi
A lot of people put the heat mat on the inside of the wooden viv, connected to a thermostat of course. You can put slate tiles over the mat to protect the geckos and the mat.
I would assume that a heatmat has to work at full capacity if placed outside a wooden viv?

[shell2909]

i thought that, but im using lino which is stuck down, ive heard you can attach it to the side, but is that only for snakes?
sorry gems for stealing your post

[Gems]

Thanks for such quick replies, Lol no worries it all leads on to other conversations

I did wonder about the substrate as i read lots about what you can use, i will have a look around on the site. thanks for the advice there. will try searching some more. To be honest froma 'looks' kind way i cant imagine what it looks like with lino tiles/slate etc but i am going to look around as i am obviously more concerned about a leo's health and wellbeing, thats why im looking around abit more before we do commit to taking one on.

Gems

[shell2909]

this is my beardies old tank with tiles it does look good, also easier and cheaper to clean they are now stuck down so look far nicer then in this pic

[Gems]

Ah thats much easier to see, it can be hard to visualise cant it, i will keep looking around as obviously means a lot of choice then!

You end up reading so many opinions etc dont you.

I am kinda ok with the rest of what i need but it was the heating/substrate in a wooden viv that was concerning me a bit, i couldnt find the exact infor i wanted, i am searching around on here though like you advised me too

[shell2909]

yeah im also a bit stuck on the heat mat thing as my leo used to be in a glass tank, im going to donny tomorrow so if i find out anything there ill let you know

[Gems]

Ok, thats great, hope you find a solution!!

Thank you for your help.

[astrid peth]

shell....those look like very expensive tiles.


hahaha! shush, i'm going to bed!

see you tomorrow!

hahahahahaha!!