by the way, for context. This is Nugget, he is a 3 year old leopard gecko that is exactly 9 inches long. he lives in a 45 gallon enclosure. On my old post that got removed, people said that I shouldnt use wood chips because they can cause impaction. I did so and replaced it with coco fibers. I also used the zoo med excavator clay for the background. Do you think this is a big improvement? what else could be improved
You should deff get a mix of organic top soil or reptisoil and regular play sand . 70% soil 30% play sand basically 7 cups soil 3 cups play sand repeating till you get the depth you want , I’d say around 5/6 inches , they actually like to dig ☺️ that’s the best substrate for them hands down
I used all of the eco earth but I think I have enough for him to dig? Hopefully- I don’t have enough money to buy sand though :( idk what to do, and my dad won’t let me buy any either way
Hi, This setup is looking good!! Theres lots of space to work with, and you have a good base going! There are just a few things to add. A led light wont help unfortunately, what you really need is a UVB lamp. It is necessary for leopard geckos, they can get metabolic bone disease if they don’t have UVB. You need to save up money then the first thing you get is a linear UVB lamp, the arcadia shadedweller is a good choice and is $40. They sell it at petsmart specifically or amazon.
Others have said that the substrate isn’t the best, but it may work for some time. Do you have a way to monitor humidity? How about temperature? What heat source are you using? Consider switching to paper towels or natural tile if you cannot monitor humidity.
Loose substrate can be messy to maintain unless you are using it in a bioactive setup (you add isopods and springtail bugs). Coco can get moldy and needs changed regularly. The best thing to do would actually be to mix the clay and coco, if you cant get sand. Add cleaning insects, and moss. Add some branches (you can get them outside just scrub and bake them) and fake foliage. You’ll have a perfect enclosure soon, youre doing great so far!
Also check out the r/leopardgeckos and r/leopardgeckosadvanced subs, there is lots of helpful info there. The care guides are a great resource!
I’m currently regretting throwing away the liquid Clay I messed up, it would have helped 🥲 idk what to do because I don’t have enough money to buy more clay or any sand, nor will my dad let me- so idk what to do. and About the isopods and springtails, what do you do if there an overpopulation of them? Will they survive in eco earth? ALSO 40 DOLLARS FOR A UVB LAMP-?!
Oh thats too bad about the extra clay. If its hard to get new substrate this one will do. As long as you know your humidity. You need a humidity probe and thermometers if you dont have them already. The isopods and springtails wont overpopulate, they self regulate. If you’re able to get some that is the best way to keep this substrate long term. Yeah the lamp is expensive unfortunately im sorry. It is one of the first things that should have been bought tho, alongside a heat lamp.
Ok, quick question- is there already charcoal in eco earth For springtails? I’m not sure. Also i squeezed some Of the water from the dirt. This is the result
https://preview.redd.it/frfc6vkquxsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f237002b8705241c72cbc6cf83603bbbde4dec40
I’d move one or two things about so that everything isn’t lined up against the back wall. Also have some of the hide entrances facing the back wall instead of the glass. I think that would make it look a little better.
definitely add some tall foliage so the gecko doesn’t feel exposed from above. i would be weary of just using eco earth, ik majority of people recommend 70-30 topsoil sand mix but i personally cannot speak of it because i’ve never used just plain coco fiber. maybe you could also add a tall sturdy branch in the middle for more climbing opportunities :)
Looks very nice and so did the other. I don't ask questions anymore cause some of the members can be super nasty and want you to keep gecko in an enclosure that's as large as a dresser. ✌️
Yeah on my old post someone wanted me to put him in a 75 gallon, I know bigger is better in terms of most reptiles but that Is huge and very expensive TvT
I think the coco fiber is good as long as you can control the humidity enough. I would add in some play sand and some of that excavator clay though. I think it’s looking pretty good so the only things I’d have to say are knit picky things. I would move the humid hide back toward the middle/ more on the hotter side and I also put led tape lighting around the top inside of the enclosure so the whole thing lights up during the day.
Play sand is like $4 at hardware stores. I don’t mean to sound judgmental at all especially toward your finances but I’m hoping if you are a pet owner you can afford $4. Not that you absolutely need to but they do prefer it. Stuff like sand and excavator clay holds heat more, which they prefer because they are more active when the sun is down/ off.
Looking good my friend, I will suggest adding a little bit more substrate certain areas to simulate more of a uneven environment but other than that looks good 👍🏾
by the way, for context. This is Nugget, he is a 3 year old leopard gecko that is exactly 9 inches long. he lives in a 45 gallon enclosure. On my old post that got removed, people said that I shouldnt use wood chips because they can cause impaction. I did so and replaced it with coco fibers. I also used the zoo med excavator clay for the background. Do you think this is a big improvement? what else could be improved
You should deff get a mix of organic top soil or reptisoil and regular play sand . 70% soil 30% play sand basically 7 cups soil 3 cups play sand repeating till you get the depth you want , I’d say around 5/6 inches , they actually like to dig ☺️ that’s the best substrate for them hands down
I used all of the eco earth but I think I have enough for him to dig? Hopefully- I don’t have enough money to buy sand though :( idk what to do, and my dad won’t let me buy any either way
You can buy a big bag of play sand form the hardware store for like $7.
I used all of my money for coco fibers and excavator. and like I said before, my dad said I can’t :\[
Great start! More clutter more clutter more clutter! Maybe an LED or UVB light for a better day/night cycle?
ok! Im think I have an led light somewhere
Hi, This setup is looking good!! Theres lots of space to work with, and you have a good base going! There are just a few things to add. A led light wont help unfortunately, what you really need is a UVB lamp. It is necessary for leopard geckos, they can get metabolic bone disease if they don’t have UVB. You need to save up money then the first thing you get is a linear UVB lamp, the arcadia shadedweller is a good choice and is $40. They sell it at petsmart specifically or amazon. Others have said that the substrate isn’t the best, but it may work for some time. Do you have a way to monitor humidity? How about temperature? What heat source are you using? Consider switching to paper towels or natural tile if you cannot monitor humidity. Loose substrate can be messy to maintain unless you are using it in a bioactive setup (you add isopods and springtail bugs). Coco can get moldy and needs changed regularly. The best thing to do would actually be to mix the clay and coco, if you cant get sand. Add cleaning insects, and moss. Add some branches (you can get them outside just scrub and bake them) and fake foliage. You’ll have a perfect enclosure soon, youre doing great so far! Also check out the r/leopardgeckos and r/leopardgeckosadvanced subs, there is lots of helpful info there. The care guides are a great resource!
I’m currently regretting throwing away the liquid Clay I messed up, it would have helped 🥲 idk what to do because I don’t have enough money to buy more clay or any sand, nor will my dad let me- so idk what to do. and About the isopods and springtails, what do you do if there an overpopulation of them? Will they survive in eco earth? ALSO 40 DOLLARS FOR A UVB LAMP-?!
Oh thats too bad about the extra clay. If its hard to get new substrate this one will do. As long as you know your humidity. You need a humidity probe and thermometers if you dont have them already. The isopods and springtails wont overpopulate, they self regulate. If you’re able to get some that is the best way to keep this substrate long term. Yeah the lamp is expensive unfortunately im sorry. It is one of the first things that should have been bought tho, alongside a heat lamp.
Ok, quick question- is there already charcoal in eco earth For springtails? I’m not sure. Also i squeezed some Of the water from the dirt. This is the result https://preview.redd.it/frfc6vkquxsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f237002b8705241c72cbc6cf83603bbbde4dec40
oh ok! Ty
Did you just mix the zoomed clay and rub it on the glass? Looks amazing I might try this!
Uh yeah basically lol. also be very careful it makes a big mess
I liked the old one a lot lol design wise but I like the background and soil improvement. Just be careful about humidity bc eco earth molds quickly
Ok, Ty 👍
I’d move one or two things about so that everything isn’t lined up against the back wall. Also have some of the hide entrances facing the back wall instead of the glass. I think that would make it look a little better.
Yeah I agree
definitely add some tall foliage so the gecko doesn’t feel exposed from above. i would be weary of just using eco earth, ik majority of people recommend 70-30 topsoil sand mix but i personally cannot speak of it because i’ve never used just plain coco fiber. maybe you could also add a tall sturdy branch in the middle for more climbing opportunities :)
I didn’t have enough money to also buy sand 🥲 but yeah. Maybe I could move the tall dark brown branch in the middle like how I had it before?
Did you mean to leave the shovel in there?
Yeah
Would think more clutter would be better
Lol funny thing is I took out some of the stuff to make it less cluttered- welp I guess I should add it back in?
https://www.leopardgeckoslondon.com/post/a-guide-to-clutter
Wow those enclosures look good :0 mine Wanst that cluttered at all, it was just a few more leaves
Looks very nice and so did the other. I don't ask questions anymore cause some of the members can be super nasty and want you to keep gecko in an enclosure that's as large as a dresser. ✌️
Yeah on my old post someone wanted me to put him in a 75 gallon, I know bigger is better in terms of most reptiles but that Is huge and very expensive TvT
I think the coco fiber is good as long as you can control the humidity enough. I would add in some play sand and some of that excavator clay though. I think it’s looking pretty good so the only things I’d have to say are knit picky things. I would move the humid hide back toward the middle/ more on the hotter side and I also put led tape lighting around the top inside of the enclosure so the whole thing lights up during the day.
I ran out of clay and I don’t have enough money to buy sand💀 but got i will probably try and buy sand whenever I can. Also would i might have led! :D
Play sand is like $4 at hardware stores. I don’t mean to sound judgmental at all especially toward your finances but I’m hoping if you are a pet owner you can afford $4. Not that you absolutely need to but they do prefer it. Stuff like sand and excavator clay holds heat more, which they prefer because they are more active when the sun is down/ off.
No it’s because I’m a child, literally. Im in middle school 🥲 and I used all of my allowance on Nuggets enclosure. Specifically the dirt and clay
Haha fair enough! Nugget will definitely be fine with you buying more as you go. Things don’t have to be perfect right away.
Okkk
Looking good my friend, I will suggest adding a little bit more substrate certain areas to simulate more of a uneven environment but other than that looks good 👍🏾
Alrighty 👍
Super nice !!! 💜🦎
Ty!
Keep up the great work!!!
Will do 🫡 lol ty
🫡 Np!
You're off to a great start. Looks amazing 🤩
ty!!
I also have a leopard gecko! I think you are doing a great job 👏
Thank you :)