Advice on Leopard Gecko set up

[jools]

Originally Posted by Big Red One

Hiya,

glass vivs can work, especially when partially covered as you mentioned (I have used offcuts of wallpaper in the past..), it's just that they don't hold heat so well.
I have exoterra's for my G. Luii as they need a higher level of moisture than the leo's, but I would definitely say a wooden viv is now my preference. It may also help on the noise and disturbance front !

My leo's are in bedroooms so can get quite noisy, especially when my lad is playing his guitar or games console! So I wouldn't worry overly about that - as long as they have plenty of cover/hides (including a moist one..) they will be fine. They tend to sleep through 90 percent of things anyway !

Foodwise, I tend to leave some mealies in a bowl for them if needed all the time, but maybe 50 percent of mine rarely touch them in a bowl (but will eat them 'loose'), preferring to wait for me to put some locusts or dubia roaches in. It's worth trying the mealies though as they are definitely the easiest way to feed....

Youngsters need feeding every day, adults can go every other or every 3rd day and even then may not always be 'hungry'. It's a case of learning the individual - all part of the fun !

I agree with this 100%.

[loonymoony]

Thanks big red, more great advice
Good to know about the noise not phasing them too much.
Hope you'll laugh here, but when I read ' gets quite noisey in the bedroom', my mind went else where with that, oops mind out of the gutter,
did make me chuckle though sorry!
Thanks for the advice on feeding too, may just leave a couple in each day and do the rest by hand cause we're really excited about watching them stalking & pouncing, watched some bits on the net and the girls and I loved it, never get tired of watching that!

Again thanks for taking the time to help us, its much appreciated
Any more little gems to share??? please do!

[loonymoony]

Just remembered what I meant to ask, sorry!
When I go to collect my Leo's what is the best thing to put them in and will I need heat for the journey home?? If I go for the two I've been talking about, then its about an hour drive. Plus also they would be coming with their viv and all their bits, so will need time to clean and sort this at my end before they can go back in, wondering what I should house them in, in the meantime?? Want to stress them as little as I can, Could they travel home in their viv??? obviously removing anything heavy/unstable. Your advice invaluble in this matter, no care sheets or books have any clues on actually bringing them home, not all of us live 5 mins from a rep shop or breeder!!

[jools]

I would bring them home in something smaller tbh. It will make the journey less stressful. Put them into an icecream/tupperware/cricket tub type container with a few ventilation holes. Use one for each. Put a sheet of kitchen roll in the bottom. Then place the 2 tubs into a box (cool box is good) that is dark. I would have said that they would be fine in a warm car for this length of time but as you have got quite a bit of work to do when you get home, plus waiting for the viv to come up to temps, then I would use a well wrapped hot water bottle inside the box to keep them warm. Not TOO warm though - use a thermometer.
If you are going to leave livefood in the viv then I would suggest that you get them out before bedtime - especially crickets - they can bite your Leos.

[loonymoony]

Thanks Jools
sound a good plan, will set about collecting up suitable bits. As for the live food, well I only meant mealworms in a dish, I know that crickets can nibble tails and toes, so don't worry there won't leave them in uneaten for any great length of time! you're a star!

[loonymoony]

Was wondering if anyone has used The roach farm? / internet reptile for suplies and live food, they have very good feedback on Ebay and am looking for someone trustworthy to supply the equipment I have yet to purchase, plus of course my regular suppy of bugs, their prices seem good to me,
any advice here?????

[jools]

I have used both and they have been fine. I usually order livefood and bits and pieces from Livefood UK Crickets Locusts Mealworms Reptile vivarium supplies mail order but not sure how these compare price wise as I am too idle to shop around much lol.

[loonymoony]

Did a quick compare between prices for black crickets, brown crickets and locusts, all cheaper with Internet Rep/ Roach farm, I noticed his mealworms were slightly more expensive and mentioned this to him, he's now looking into changing his prices, and also said he was happy to do me a quote specially if I gave him an idea of my requirements, really quick reply from a very helpful guy, plus worth noting his equipment was very reasonbly priced too! Def some of the cheapest on Ebay, will keep you posted!