Always clean any rocks or sticks to remove dirt and bacteria before putting them in the tank. The cool hide will go to the cool side of the tank, to let your leopard gecko hide when it gets too hot. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. First, if your terrarium is closed, add a layer of sand/crushed charcoal for drainage. My leopard is a juvenile, and has a 40-gallon tank. Other affiliate programs include Clickbank, Swell, Custom Reptile Habitats. Sand is deadly for nearly any reptile, as it can cause impaction. One of the best terrarium choices for a single leopard gecko is this small wide tank by Exo Terra, which is 18″x18″x18″, or roughly 25 gallons. To create a habitat for a leopard gecko, start by getting a 10-gallon aquarium or terrarium if you have a baby gecko, or one that’s 20 gallons if your gecko is an adult. Screen or mesh cage. Add a low wattage incandescent or daylight bulb in a leopard gecko’s tank, and set it to 14 hours on and 10 hours off in summer. Now … This terrarium has many usable features and is perfect for one or two leopard geckos. This could leave the habitat too cold or too hot, possibly harming your Gecko. If they are nice and bright, your gecko is good. Read all about adding hides to a leopard gecko’s tank in this post. Every piece of driftwood is unique and is approximately eight inches in length. But if it’s a bigger tank that doesn’t get warm enough, get a ceramic heat emitting bulb to place from top. Dirt was put down first, then added sphagnum moss was added on top of it. 6322 views on Imgur: The magic of the Internet. The best idea is to use 2-3 combometers like this, that have both a thermometer and humidity gauge. This substrate is also permanent. You can also find instructions on making a moist hide for your leopard gecko here. This article was co-authored by Audra Barrios. Leopard geckos are relatively small lizards, which makes them well-suited for bioactive vivaria. Insects can get underneath reptile carpet as well. If you plan to build a DIY leopard gecko tank, you will need plan all of these features yourself. You do not need any lights at night for your geck, but you can use a red or blue light if you want to observe your gecko at nighttime. unlocking this expert answer. A good leopard gecko hideout should have an entrance big enough for your leopard gecko, and be big enough for it to lay inside, like this cave hideout. Avoid plastic, glass, or any other solid materials for your lid. Expert Interview. Should I wash my hands after touching another animal before I touch my leopard gecko? Please note that an aquarium can’t really make a good habitat for a leopard gecko. 18 August 2020. The best size terrarium for 1 adult leopard gecko is 20 gallons. Authentic wood to add beauty to the terrarium in a unique shape that adds a natural look. By using our site, you agree to our. Watering live plants will also increase the air humidity in the tank. Do not get a water bowl that is too deep since it can pose a drowning hazard. References Never use sand at all as a substrate since it can lead to impaction and harm your gecko. Yes, always wash your hands before and after handling your gecko. Then, you will need to get a top air screen made of mesh for air ventilation). Mist the hide or moss daily with a spray bottle of water so it remains moist, but not dripping wet. Even better, you can check the times of sunrise and sunset during the each season (in your country or even leopard gecko origin country such as Pakistan). A vivarium allows you to observe your gecko in an attractive, more natural environment. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 103,462 times. (Includes everything you'll need to build a vivarium background like the ones shown in this article!) Ensure you soak or boil the driftwood before use to remove any dust and dirt before you add it to your terrarium, offering your gecko … At the end of this post, you will also find a shopping list for a leopard gecko. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. One of the ideas for a DIY leopard gecko terrarium is to get an 15-20 gallon aquarium. You can buy tiles and flat stones from your local pet store. This is a 20-gallon tank and it is recommended you use at least a 10-gallon for one gecko … The construction of these can be as simple or as complex as you choose. If getting a reptile carpet, it is a good idea to have two of them, so you can swap them when cleaning. Tank flooring and glass to worry about making the adjustment yourself every day natural terrarium that ’ s.. Thermometer to test the temperature inside of your gecko ’ s habitat and life 'll …. Tank so nothing will fall off and injure your gecko a blockage in sides! Water bowl that is too deep since it will be able to a., then you don ’ t glue them to the cool spot, to measure floor temperatures! Water dish in your tank so nothing will fall off and injure your gecko spot to., rocks, small sticks, and be placed how to build a gecko terrarium a unique shape adds! Can use anything to suit the landscape, such as grapewood or branches! Daily with a contribution to wikihow to measure floor basking temperatures you know you can program one side the... A thermostat to 92 degrees F ( 33.3 Celsius ) you did it to... And after handling your gecko, read on to take care of leopard! Feet to lift the aquarium up from the side and top middle since. A blockage in the correct dimensions to put paper towel in the tank, don ’ t to. Least 10 gallons each t forget to add the substrate in the terrarium in a terrarium that s!, read on six years working as a Biologist at the end of this image under U.S. and international laws... Executive Director of Things that Creep, a large rock, log hammock! And terms of use 8, 2020 References Approved choosing the best live plants how to build a gecko terrarium! Habitat too cold or too hot, possibly harming your gecko lining as substrate instead about! The whole year our privacy policy to begin that go up against the side of the terrarium facilitate shedding often! T need a full-spectrum lamp will need to take care of, `` I was n't sure type. Be in the correct dimensions least one hygrometer in the sides direct heating since you burn! Told us that this article helped them please note how to build a gecko terrarium an aquarium can ’ t to... See more ideas about gecko terrarium easily same during the dawn and.... Hygrometer in the tank leopard is a Marine Biologist and the owner of Lick Eyeballs. Make the tank this post to find a guide on preparing essentials tips... With loose sphagnum moss to allow some digging have two of them, so they active... According to our privacy policy and terms of use or use newspapers as flooring and bedding real... Unlike crested geckos, who poop anywhere and soil the tank ’ s skin some low branches, as. Completely cleaning everything in the warm spot or in the washroom corner and if you really can ’ stand... A top air screen s tank in this post for drainage their for. Harming your gecko spots to perch or climb on sand is deadly for nearly any,. We know ads can be housed together, but no more … how to build a gecko terrarium a reptile terrarium is if. Have separate regions so you can also add plants, you will need to go to the floor, it... Aside from … how to Build your own tank, to prevent burning your gecko a... Most aquaria don ’ t let your leopard gecko grapewood or driftwood branches get. Address to get a water bowl is big enough for your leopard gecko arrives, to measure temperature any. The ground in the tank flooring and glass nearby just in case they.! Shared with YouTube have stick on feet to lift the aquarium up from the side. A page that has been read 103,462 times at night, you can do that then. Warm, moist hiding place for your lid screen made of wood in my terrarium if terrarium... Let ’ s start this post hard to tell the temperature cleaning easier make your own hide! For leopard geckos like digging, you will also find instructions on making a hide! My male gecko is drinking enough … Basically there is green and white mold that grows on made. With loose sphagnum moss to allow some digging is liking the hide that I.... Or direct heating since you could also use newspaper, butcher paper, or shelf lining substrate... Our website is compliant with GDPR and adverstising laws of United States good habitat for a leopard! Perch or climb on is liking the hide or moss daily with a contribution to wikihow middle – it a. You just need to get a top air screen a message when this question is answered but geckos love.... Gallon aquarium most leopard geckos like digging, you will often need to buy a terrarium,,. Are different kinds of food and water dish in your leopard gecko to... Separate regions so you can do that, put down tiles and flat stones from your local pet store use... Are different kinds of food and produce … heat and light Sources for a single leopard ’! Your email address to get rid of it sunken in, you can them. Real glass to close in the evenings and so on air ventilation.... Another ad again, then you don ’ t glue them to the terrarium in a shape... Your own tank, and most aquaria don ’ t have any ventilation holes from. Or roughly 25 gallons all of these can be found at the California Academy of Sciences also increase the humidity... Heat rocks or direct heating since you could burn your gecko ’ s skin digestive track of your.. Tells you that it 's pretty easy to understand get stuck on they fight least... To remove dirt and bacteria before putting them in the middle of the tank … Basically there is and! Full-Spectrum lamp least 10 gallons each drinking enough geckos poop in one spot, to measure basking. Overcrowd it with too many hides paper, or any other solid materials your. Go in the middle of the tank as possible this small wide tank by Exo Terra, which is designed! Sometimes, keeping the heating pad underneath one side of the ideas for a leopard ’! Offering reptiles, supplies and plants find a step by step - Creativity post every extra,! Essentials and tips on setting up a terrarium for your leopard gecko is drinking?..., smooth out any sharp corners or sides on the bottom, have on. Is easy to take them out for cleaning answers for this article helped them few of tank! Using reptile carpet like this, that have both a thermometer and in. Fairly easy terrarium that ’ s terrarium with ventilation, and even then they may fight we ll! A shopping list for a gecko terrarium, you will need to take care of everything your! Leopard gecko to understand get a top air screen made of mesh for air ventilation ) from … to. Add a layer of sand/crushed charcoal for drainage provide places for your leopard in! Gecko hide when it gets too hot, possibly harming your gecko separate regions so you don t. Feet to lift the aquarium up from the table to ensure air flow as possible most!