Leopard Gecko Setup for beginners
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- Опубліковано 4 лют 2025
- How To Setup a Leopard Gecko Tank!
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Love how chill and down to earth you are! Just subbed, looking forward to future videos
Thank you! Welcome
I was just talking to someone about adopting their leopard gecko LOL good timing
Haha nice!
Bro I’m adopting a leopard gecko from my friends friend and he’s adorable but definitely needs a new set up 😮
I just adopted 2 leopard geckos from a friend and they came to my bf and I in quite a state and I want to do as much research as I can to properly care for them from now on THANKYOU!!
make sure they arent housed together
@@dark1901shut up
Then you should’ve done your homework BEFORE getting the geckos. You can kill them with incompetence
i really enjoy your style of videos, i love how you just jump right into the topic that you put in the title and thumbnail, bundled with a great personality. thanks for the help and entertainment
Glad you like my videos!
I honestly learned so much, all while getting to laugh and be thoroughly entertained by your content. Thanks for the great video.
That means a lot thank you
Looks and feels like such a simple and easy setup, I love it!
I thought about possibly getting a leopard gecko or corn snake some time in the future but one of my big concerns was not knowing how to set up the right sort of enclosure for them, so this was a very great tutorial! 👍
That means a lot thank you!
Recently found out PetSmart will damage out their leopard geckos who get too big or drop their tails, and my bff works for PetSmart. Just upgraded someone from a 40 to a 170gal, so I told the bff to keep her ears open for the next damaged out leopard gecko. Thanks for this super helpful video!
I find both just has bad with there reptiles cause Petco usually cohabits them together in the same tank and Petsmart sad to see cause they look really sad I seen a Crestie at petsmart here all cramed in a small lil tank I’m sure it’s juvie size
@@seanmadden5818 I can’t speak to PetSmart personally, ironically, but I was in a Petco yesterday and they had 4 beardies in one tank, 2 in another, at least 4 leos together, and 2 cresties together.
What do you mean by damage out?
@@PikaRaichupikapika it applies more to product, but basically when something is unsellable, they’ll mark it down to the max or ‘damage it out’ meaning it’s too damaged to sell and needs to be trashed. But with animals you can’t just trash em, so they tend to adopt them out to whoever will take them.
Leopard geckos dont need a 170 gallon bro😂
I have a couple of questions!
1. How often do you change this substrate? I read online maybe every 2 months but that seems like a long time to me.
2. Do you spot clean the tank between substrate changes? Is it easy to see what needs cleaned?
3. What plants are safe to be in a bioactive tank for a leopard gecko/are there some plants that require less work than others?
Thanks for the videos, they've been super helpful! I recently was asked to take over care of a leopard gecko for someone whose circumstances won't allow them to anymore. I'm an extreme newbie and am looking for any advice!
If you are doing bioactive, then you shouldn't be changing the substrate. Get a cleanup crew (isopods and springtails) and you are good to go.
Thank you so much man just got two 7 year old leopard geckos from a friend and they didn’t have the best living conditions so I want to make sure the rest of their lives are as comfortable as possible
Happy to help!
Another great video. Perfect timing too. I was just thinking about redoing my leopard geckos.
Nice!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Can you do a video on how you trained your uromastyx 🙏
@@sammythai99 yes definitely plan too
Thanks man for the vid just got a leopard gecko from petco and starter set for black Friday.you just got a new sub!
Happy to help
dude... i love your energy
Thank you
Thank you. Long time reptile keeper. Love your thoroughness.
Thank you that means a lot!
I used to own one as a kid and she was such a sweetie pie. I want another one now as an adult so this is awesome
You got this!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Thanks!!
Hi I had a Leo for 3 years now and I felt bad for keeping in a small tank and now I’m exited to upgrade
Thanks I’m actually getting a leopard gecko really soon and this looks like a great setup to use
Thank you very much!
I just got my bearded dragon a 120 gallon tank so I have a extra 55 gallon tank laying around so I thought why not get a leopard gecko so I watched your videos on how to take care of them and it’s pretty simple I already have all the bugs I need the lights and the substrate
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse can I get a dual dome fixture with two 75w halogen heat lamps, a thermostat, and then a shadedweller Arcadia fixture? Should I get 7% or 14% t5?
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseyou have a video on how to store bugs?
I just got a 50 gallon tank for my African fat tailed gecko so I’m waiting this for ideas to set it up
man i need help i cant find the arcadia kit online at all is there any you could recommend that are the same 😭
I’m getting a 20 for my baby Leo.so this really helped thanks
I'd suggest just getting the 40 gallon because you are gonna have to upgrade anyways. If you can afford to get the 20 to start with and then later on get the 40 gallon then thats fine. But if you cant then i would just go ahead and get the 40 gallon
Good job👍💯 Love it❣️💯👍
Thank you
Omg hii i just wanted to thankyou for every video you make they are sooo so helpfull you see I'm getting a gecko in abt a minth and I'm preparing for that and i'm learning a lot abt it and your content is soo entertaining too so just THANKYOU !!!
Hello! I’m happy I could help!
Our version of petco/petsmart in the UK is called Pets at Home but they are alot better then what I've seen at petco/petsmart.
Fortunately, Pets at Home lost their reptile licence 10 years ago which is for the greater good so i dont have to see reptiles dying in small tanks...
me, want to get a leopard gecko as my second reptile in a few month, now watching videos on youtube
also me, a fallout fan, notice the mini nuke from fallout in the backround
I think this will be the perfect video for me :) greetings from germany!
This video was very helpful. Thanks!!!
Happy to help
How often do you need to clean using this substrate and how do you clean it? Do you have to replace it all? How often? Thanks!
I have a temper albino leopard gecko. Can you did a video about them. I've noticed he's very sentive to light
You can (and should) still use lighting with albinos, you just need to make sure you use the right bulbs and provide plenty of cover and cryptic basking opportunities. A halogen bulb would be ideal for the primary heat source, and a tube UVB bulb such as the Arcadia shadedweller would be beneficial as well. Provide plenty of plant cover and shade so they have the option to expose part of their body to the light while staying partly hidden/in the shade.
amazing video! definitly help. just wondering how much did it cost including the tank with everything to build this?
Thanks for ideas! 🦎✅
Happy to help!
just got a juvenile leopard gecko, not a baby but still young. reptile store said few months but shes just about 3-4 inches long from tip to tip. Ive only ever had an adult rescue when i was a child so I dont have any experience with younglings, but im trying my darnest. I have her set up in a 25gal with three hides (and i use the same humid hide you have, just the smaller one), food and water dishes on cool side, misting every second or third day because where i live dips to about 10% and that too low. She is a very skittish baby so sometimes i feel anxious wondering if i did something/am doing something wrong, she has yet to be comfortable enough to tong/hand feed worms and she kind of stands up whenever i reach into her enclosure to do anything (feed/water/handle/etc). I got a front opening tank to prevent her getting freaked out like predator response but i just worry she wont be tame/calm as an adult....
Your channel has been great my buddies sister moved to a different state had to leave her gecko behind my friend couldn’t provide the proper care so i ended up with it. Set up my tank almost exactly how yours only problem i’m having right now is the humidity i stay in Houston so it tends to be very humid down here. The soil i used for my substrate was very moist so i don’t know if i need to use a different kind or use less of the soil any help would be appreciated l!
Hey I need help about if I need a lamp stand or leave it on the top!! I have a 40 gallon. 36x18x18 no animal in the tank right now
We just got a geko very younge one . We are new to reptiles so I have questions . How often do u clean ur tanks? It seems to like to lay on our hands is this normal? We bought carpet cause thats what pet store recommend we not seen any po is this normal? Last but not least do u turn the lights off at night?
*yes i have leopard geckos tooo*
do u recommend the “Zoo Med Reptile Shelter 3 in 1 Cave, Small” as a cheaper option for the zilla rock lair
Oh yeah that’ll work
this guy is so good!
Appreciate ya
Is potting soil & shag moss ok?
What do you use foe the hids
@ChiefSweetsUniverse can I get some help I'm thinking out buying this for my leopard gecko heat bulb will this be fine with his uvb bulb too ?
How often do u have to change the substrate cuz ik the poop a lot
About every 6 months
I don't recommend putting the thermostat on the inside it should go right between the glass and the heat pad if under tank heating is used. I prefer over head heating tho because it's safer and more natural
You shouldn’t even be using a heat pad in the first place you should always use overhead heating
@@dangelosreptiles but chief says if you use a heat pad set it to 100f, that's a big drop from using one and not using one
Do you need a lamp if you use the mat ?
No it’s usually one or the other
This guy is awesome! 👍😎
Thank you!
What kind of dirt should I buy? Can you add a link to it please?
How often do you have to change the soil? Sorry if it is a dumb question.
Not a dumb question at all. I change mine once a year
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you so so much!
How much is this entire setup
Great content, ty.
Looking into starting up a leopard gecko tank for my daughter.
One thing not covered that I'm confused about. Do i require a timer for on/off heat lamp ? Or leave lights on 24/7 ?
Are these geckos nocturnal , if so, run the lights at daytime, then turn off at night ? 12 / 12 hrs on/off.
Thanks.
Also, if they are active on the dark cyvle , how do you see tgese things without lights, also cant see them on the light cycle , they are hiding ?
I have mine on a daylight cycle so 7am to 7pm then they come out at night. It’s good they know when daytime is so they can sleep and then when lights are off they wake up and hunt. I use a timer to turn off and on my lights
Whats a good alternative for UVB instead of the Arcadia shade dweller?
The zoo med T5 5.0 tube bulb is good as well. Arcadia and zoo med are the only UVB brands I’d trust.
With a lighting setup like this, would I turn both the basking light and the shade dweller off at night? (I know it might be a silly question to ask but I wanna make sure I get everything correct before I go out and get my leopard gecko)
Not silly at all yes both off at night
What are the avg measurements for a 40 gal tank?
36x18x18 inches
Nice and informative video
Thank you
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse you're welcome
Interesting how Leopard Geckos terrariums are built in the United States. A completely different world to the building style in Germany. Don't the leos have problems with the substrate if they eat it? Do you have any long-term experience with this? Greetings from Germany. 🙃
Greetings! I’ve been keeping this way for years almost two decades. They shouldn’t eat the dirt at all if they do you have a health problem. Leopard geckos love to burrow and dig tunnels for sleeping then patrol at night. It’s a great way to keep humidity up during shed as well
@ Thank you for your answer. I will look into such husbandry methods. It's more natural than tile adhesive and pu foam. 😅 Because of the humidity, I only know wetboxes so far. Good luck 💪🏼
will a 100w basking bulb be okay? cannot find a 75w that will arrive in time
It might be overkill. Make sure you plug the lamp into a dimmer or dimming thermostat to regulate the temperature. Ideally you should be using a wattage that doesn’t need to be dimmed/barely needs to be dimmed at all to achieve the right temps. This is because the more the bulb is dimmed, the less beneficial infrared A it is producing.
So the heat lamp needs to go off at night?
Yes off at night
Your video was very informative. One thing I would like to know. I have a 25 gallon zoo med tank. Pretty much same size as a 20 gallon just a little taller. What size heat lamp should I have5.5 or a 8.5 inch? Thank you
Either one will work happy to help. I would probably use a 5.5 so the uvb has more room
Sorry if I missed this watching the video, what brand is the heat pad and thermostat? Thanks!
I have a question. Is an 75 gallon fish tank good for a leopard gecko or is it too much
Yeah that’s fine
@ another question, do you think of I have any other type of light like an led at night in the room of the gecko it’ll cause stress or is it ok
So I’m good to put a baby leopard gecko in its adult tank from the beginning?
100% would save you money and he can grow into it.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok thanks 👍
What heat lamp do you use?
I had a questiom do lepard gekos need heat at night as well after i turn off the lights? I have a basking light and a uvb light do i need a heat mat as well for night?
If it gets below 60f yes use a ceramic heat emitter
@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok thank you
I have a Leo that I want to do the right things for. I just bought him a 120 gallon ecoflex enclosure, I’ve never used heat lamps and I’m so afraid of fires but I’m trying to learn 😢
No worries heat mats are actually more prone to fire than heat lamps. Heat lamps are perfectly safe
is the heat lamp supposed to be on all day long or do we turn it off when we sleep or only when it gets too hot ?
You keep it on during the day but leave it off all night
If I am switching my adult leopard gecko from a simple tank to a more complex tank will she get stressed out?
As long as it has clutter not at all!
Okay thank you so much! Amazing video by the way, love your personality. @@ChiefSweetsUniverse
If I use coco fiber coir that completely dried out mixed with sand and top soil , will that be ok to use?
I’d use reptisoil instead
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok, thank you
Should I change my light? Is a red one.
Yes go with a regular one
@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you
Do I need both the heat mat and the basking light or just one of them?
One or the other. I use the lights
Heat lamps are far more natural and beneficial than heat mats.
So the temps have changed since last year? Correct ?
Yes these temps I think are the best overall.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Need HELP- I just got a Leopard Gecko - I got a 40g tank that's for a dragon. I made two caves out of Spray insulation. On the hot side I got a a large cave about 8" round inside with a heat pad under the tank and a ceramic bulb above, a UVB in the middle and a large cold cave on the other side. The cold side cave I've added spring tails, isopod's. I got the Zoo med command running all the temps, humid, and lights with different day and night settings. 12 hours of day /night, Temp 75f night - 85f day, heat pad 86f night - 90f day, She seems ok . Is their anything I'm missing or should change? thanks
? Heat pad temp 100f and off at night, heat lamp 90f and also off at night? My house is at 70f, so the tank stays around 69-71f
@@joe96787 yeah don’t need any heat at night.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse😲 ok I'll try it. Thanks again!
you should put links in the description for the items you use
I forgot to put them in hahaha just updated sorry
no worries, thank you very much@@ChiefSweetsUniverse
Thinking about getting a leopard gecko one of my dream pets this guide is helpful I’m just taking in so much information right now for if I do end up getting one (gotta get the parents approval first)
I’m just curious, is ordering online or in person better for them? I don’t have many reptile stores around me and I’d be willing to drive but I don’t know if there are any actual reliable online sites
Online can be okay depending on how the store does it. Though sometimes it can go bad (and such say like the weather changes even if taken in mind by the store) and sometimes the people delivering it are dumb and don't treat it well so it would be better to get one in person in most cases but online can be a good option as long as you find a ethical place to order from. Also just a tip is that they live very long which I'm sure you know but I know some dont take that into mind.
Any idea where to get the baulbs or an alternative brand? Everywhere i look theres no zoo med 100w baulbs
I’d look into halogen flood bulbs that aren’t branded for reptiles (such as Philips), they work well.
Would a zilla t8 desert fluorescent bulb grow plants well and be good for a leopard gecko as well? I’ve been thinkin. About trying them but I’m not sure yet.
Update: I tried it but 2/4 of my geckos don’t like the light and it does grow plants well
im very conflicted about what substrate to use, ive seen people use paper towels to prevent impaction. what's your advice to prevent impaction if i use a substrate mix? pls help lol
I’ve used substrate for nearly 20 years and I’ve never had an issue with impaction. Impaction occurs with low temps, dehydration, improper care. So as long as you have everything right and your leopard gecko isn’t sick you’ll be ok.
awesome thank you!
Hii the place where ı live is very hot during summer like 30-40 degrees what should ı do to create cooling side during summer ? By the way ı love your videos 😊
During those times just make sure the hot side isn’t too hot and it’ll be ok if it becomes above 37c in the tank on the cool side you can spray with cool water to tray and cool it down in the tank
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you soo much ☺️
Link for the plug in thermostat? The other links from your lighting video were a great help.
got you this is the thermostat amzn.to/3Tx1FiU and this is the hide amzn.to/487dgKb
Where do you get the Arcadia shade dweller? I have checked all the big box pet stores and none of them carry it.
I got it at petsmart but I think petsmart has stopped selling it which sucks cause it was one of the best
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse I’ve tried everywhere, no luck.
So i recently got a leapord gecko and i have a uvb lamp and a heat lamp do i keep the uvb light on dueing the day or at night? Or the heat lamp off dyring the day and on at night?
Keep it on during the day. As they are mostly active at night this helps them sleep when they need to. As they need the light to let them know it’s when they sleep then when it’s off they will come out to hunt. Its ok if it’s cool at night as it’s cool for them in the wild at night as well
Dude do you have exo terra tanks? Im losing my mind over getting exo or zoo med because of that plastic divider at the top of the exo. I know they make hoods for it which you can screw in a full spectrum light and uva/uvb light but its a coil bulb and I've heard those are bad. I guess im overthinking it. I just want the best set up for my geckos so theyll thrive you think you can show what a good lighting set up for a crested gecko can be with an exo terra tank
If I live in the downstairs of my apartment where is the best pace to set up the enclosure? Near a vent or not so close to one?
Why would you keep your pet near a vent that’s spewing out dead skin cells and other crap?
Hi there so I’m looking into getting a leopard gecko with my niece this week , i had one when i was a kid im now 23 so i just had a few questions on the heating lighting needs. So for a single gecko in a 20 gallon tank all i would need is a Heat Lamp and a Uvb light as the Arcadia ShadeDweller ?
Thanks !
for overhead lighting you would need a heat bulb (i recommend 75w) and a linear uvb. you dont need led light unless you want to have live plants
@@loveiffyy awesome thanks so much for the info, really appreciate it !!
Yes that’s it. With a 20 gallon that’s pretty small so if you did get a 75 watt make sure to get a thermostat with it as well.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse awesome thanks ! I did get that as well.
Both lights off at night right and than both on in the morning ?
how hot should a tank be able to get? and when it gets really hot do u turn off the light or just spray it down with water?
I usually don’t let it get hotter than 95f air temp wise
How long should I let my substrate set before I put my leopard gecko in?
Is vitasand fine instead of reptisand
That’s the one sand you don’t want as it’s not real sand it’s calcium sand
hiiii me again lol, when you said oh theres an isopod in there, did you take it out? if so, why?
Oh I just didn’t want him taking attention off the build cause he would be walking around and what not haha. I have isopods in all my tanks
it's comic book guy
Hey quick question
I live in Pakistan and i have a 4 ft long tank for my gecko so is it necessary for me to use a led light for her?
It’s good for their circadian rhythm. I would unless it’s a outdoor enclosure in that case then you don’t need any lights
How did you get the humidity down for the substrate?
It’ll go down over time it’s not a big deal. Leopard geckos actually try to find humid areas to hide lots of times
How does the Uvb work if they’re never out when it’s turned on? lol
They’re likely doing what’s called cryptic basking: exposing part of their body (such as their leg or tail) to the UVB, while staying hidden. Some individuals will openly bask, but cryptic basking is more common. Make sure they’ve got plant cover/other decor that provides cryptic basking opportunities.
You have great advise, however I think you could learn a lot by watching some freshwater aquascaping videos. They will help you with designing a scape that appeals to the eye as well as being great for the tank mate.
How often do you replace the substrate?
Once every 6 months to once a year
Hey man, is ok if I use repti soil only for a 40 gallon tank? If not what do I need?
Oh yeah that’s totally fine
Do you need a heat mat?
No
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse sick thanks
do the UVB light and basking bulb both produce heat and light? and do you turn them both off at night?
I have an LED bulb for light and a 75-watt heat lamp that does not produce light. no UVB. ( i give her D3 supplement) Is this set up ok??
Basking produces heat and light. Uvb produces small amount of light. Both off at night. Yeah since you don’t give uvb it’s good you give d3 supplements.
I live in pa . Can I just get soil from my yard ?
Bake it at 250f for two hours and you can. The thing about soil outside is the insects in it and possible parasites
Is that real branch or fake branches?
Real branch
@@ChiefSweetsUniversedo they perish over time? Do they last?
@@ljs185they last in my experience
I have a 40g and the 75w heat lamp keeps the hot side around 84-85f should I buy a 100w or is that’s fine?
Yeah that’s ok.
What if I can’t afford a 40 or 20 gallon tank and I only have a 10 gallon tank?
Then you can't get a leopard gecko. Or any reptile. 10 gallon is wayy to small for anything it will be so sad just because you think its fine it wont be in a 10 gallon. Please don't put any reptile in it. Maybe try a betta fish!I have one also they are so cool to have.
@ well now I got the leopard gecko and he is in a 35 gallon tank has all of the right things he gets his calcium he loves his home.
Vinyl dinner mats at dollar store cut to size is a perfect substrate. No mess, easy cleaning, and waterproof. Done
Does it harm the animal at all like can he get his nails stuck in it? Cuz i might have a gecko tomorrow 50% chance
@znethan2462 yes, do not use this comment's advice
@@znethan2462 they are perfectly safe don’t listen to the comment telling you otherwise
@@Lunawaltz_xx have you ever used them?
@@znethan2462 They’re perfectly safe
i have a 35 gal, would the uvb be too strong??
Depends on the height. 12 inches is pretty ok for the shadedweller on top of screen
Do albino leopard geckos need a uvb
Yes they would be exposed to it in the wild just like regular ones. But obviously leopard geckos can live without uvb so make sure to use calcium with d3 if you don’t use uvb
Your missing the Deep heat projector?
Deep heat projectors are ok but they are not needed. Regular basking bulbs are way better
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse in the uk you won’t find a breeder that will sell you a leopard gecko without having one? That’s so strange.
Can you do a video like this for a uromastyx I want to get one but I want to be fully educated on how to take care if it before I do
I already watched your care guide by the way but I want to see how to assemble the cage itself
Yes I already been filming it should be out by the end of the year! 😁
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok thank you😁
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse also can I ask what is the difference between a regular uromastyx and a ornate uromastyx everywhere I have looked I can't find an answer
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse because I am hoping to be able to get a brightly colored one preferably a red and black one