Could you just unplug the heat rock? As it’s the danger of burns that’s the issue, not the rock itself. Unless that’s an integral part of keeping her tank at a warm enough temp. Do you have a temperature gage in there? I have this one, one in each end of the tank.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR65CNT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Myc piss is normal when FC are introduced. U want to stay in FC at this point and u do not want densely packed polyfil. That will potentially limit the natural evaporation of moisture off your substrate and reduce the oxygen that can get into ur tub. I recommend you get a hygrometer like that this one. Do not close any holes either, just use poly fill in all of them and put a fan in the room on oscillate, keep tub’s ambient temp at 70-72 degrees. Misting and fanning creates a primary pinning trigger. Use a continuous mist spray bottle. Me personally, I case with bubble wrap bc it encourages primordia growth and I fan like 3-5 times a day; on sides and lid of tub and light mist on sub, until clusters of pins start forming. Then I continue misting and fanning bc that’s what my environment requires to maintain high humidity. Yours may be different.
What I bought is more or less these: https://www.amazon.com/JEDEW-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Humidifiers-Dehumidifiers/dp/B07GR65CNT/ref=sr_1_6?crid=36WRLD6HVH6UQ&keywords=hygrometer&qid=1662913639&sprefix=hygrometer%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-6
All I’m saying is, while a home monitoring integrated hygrometer is great, you’re going to spend time finding, selecting and installing that item. If you’re in no rush, that’s totally cool. But, if you have any impatience to start considering your options, a few bucks in a hardware store will get you info the same day.
I would suggest getting another crab, as they need the company. 10 is probably the lowest to go, tank-wise for 2 little crabs. At some point, you'll want to upgrade, but for now they'll be good. It's ok to not have the best equipment right away, but if you're serious about it, try to work your way up to better stuff.
For the thermometer/hydrometer, I just ordered this today. It's a good price and has plenty of good reviews, so hopefully it holds up.
Not bad :)
I would put one of the slate pieces underneath the heat lamp. The lamp will warm up the slate and provide a nice warm spot to sleep on and belly heat to help them digest their food.
I also recommend placing the hygrometers more to the bottom as temps and humidity tend to be different lower in the tank and that is where your gecko resides. In my own experience these digital ones are a lot more reliable.
If you can I’d also add another hide in the middle of the tank. Something like a snake cave or zilla rock lair with paper towels inside, which helps them with shedding.
Don’t worry, I think it’s great to reach out here to get info and help your kid, shows you’re a great mum :) Leopard geckos are quite hardy, they don’t die over night!
For the thermometers, I personally use these combo meters from amazon. The probe ones will do fine as well, but they can be a lot more expensive. Just make sure you calibrate them before using as to make sure the readings are accurate.
You should place them at the height of where you’re gecko moves around, which is usually more towards the bottom of the tank.
I have one on the warm side and one on the cool side as to ensure ambient temps are 90F and 70F. I try to maintain the ambient humidity between 45% and 50%, though it’s normal if thats lower where the heat source is. Would not make it drop below 35% on the warm side though.
One more thing (sorry!!!). Do these look like something I could use?
Get rid of that hydrometer. The analog ones aren't very accurate, I use this one:
Otherwise, cute beardie!
Cheap humidors never hold rh well, if you buy 65 boveda packs it will not hold there in my opinion. They tend to drop at least 4% You are right I said thermometer but meant one that gives hygrometer as well. https://www.amazon.com/JEDEW-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Humidifiers-Dehumidifiers/dp/B07GR65CNT/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=digital+thermometer+for+humidor&qid=1605389933&sr=8-4
I have digital hygrometer’s on the warm and cool side. The one in the middle I just kept because it’s the one I started with. This is a link to the ones I have ::
JEDEW 2-Pack Mini Hygrometer Thermometer Digital LCD Monitor Indoor Outdoor Humidity Meter Gauge for Humidifiers Dehumidifiers Greenhouse Basement Babyroom Fahrenheit or Celsius (Black-2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR65CNT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zWnhFbY7N3Z4N
Would you suggest i get better quality/more expensive ones or are these fine?
Also thank you for letting me know about the substrate!! I had no idea. I was planning on switching fully to reptichip because it was recommended by someone on here but still had some aspen left so I mixed it. I’ll definitely change it. I won’t be home until tomorrow though, Would you suggest I have my boyfriend change it now? Or will it be okay to change it once I get home in a bit less than 24 hours?
I believe I got a pair of these and they work great. For measuring basking spot you'll want a temperature gun for spot accuracy
JEDEW 2-Pack Mini Hygrometer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR65CNT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Yeah no problem! I just spent the last 2 months or so getting all of my stuff so it's really fresh in my head!
Some other recommendations for the supplements is also have a multivitamin that you toss into the mix, so your Geck gets all the appropriate nutrients. I use Reshay+, but there's a bunch to choose from. Just make sure it has all the vitamins they need. I'm currently feeding every day, and my girl gets Calcium w/o d3 5 times a week and a multivitamin twice a week. And then I plan to give D3 on one of the Calcium days.
For thermostats, don't forget to get digital monitors + a temp gun. You'll want these because the thermostats you plug the heat lamp into usually only measure air temperature and should be verified with other thermostats. I use this thermostat/hydrostat on my hot and cool side. Just over 9 bucks for the pair. I use this temp gun to verify and make sure I got a nice gradient, as well as just so I'm able to assess other spots the little thermostats aren't in. I think the price went up a little bit, cuz I think it was only 15 bucks when I bought the gun, and amazon is saying 27, so if this one is too pricey now, I'm sure there's a cheaper one that's just as good.
Idk which Exo Terra one you're getting, but just make sure it's definitely dimming and not on/off. On/offs are not good for Halogens. I think DPH and heat maps are the only ones that use that setting. I had to buy my Herpstat directly from Spyderrobotics, which is the manufacturer. I wish it was on amazon I would have loved to prime that hahaha!
Also, I don't know if people here use them, but I also purchased some UVB test strips off of amazon to monitor every now and then to make sure my lamp is working properly. I heard that the lamp stops producing UVB before the actual light burns out. My UVB is a pretty basic setup, I just used the kit it came with and slapped a timer I stole from my dad on it.
Substrate:
Top Soil without fertilizer (70%)
Heating:
Dimming Thermostat for Halogen
Lighting (optional though beneficial) Arcadia Shadedweller 7%
Popular Hides:
Zilla Rock Lair (very good moist hide)
Popular Supplements:
Providing all the stuff leopard geckos need in terms of heating is already fairly expensive. I’d focus first on the bigger enclosure and moist hide, which seem to be the most important things for now. Assuming the heat mat comes with an on/off thermostat you could safe some money on the digital dimming thermostat by getting a dome with dimmer switch and a temp gun instead of a dimming thermostat. This will require you to measure surface temperature daily with the temp gun and adjust the dimmer switch accordingly to ensure the right temperatures, whereas a dimming thermostat would do this all automatically and continuously for you. I’d also recommend looking for second hand enclosures as those are usually a lot cheaper than buying brand new.
I'd honestly reccomend looking on amazon. We got our thermometers/hydrometers there and they are fantastic!! here are a couple links to the ones we got. Hope this helps some :)
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR65CNT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
KVP Metallic Silver, and KVP Sea Blue. Thermometer/Hygro combo from Amazon. Designed the little holder, just snaps in and is attached with VHB tape
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR65CNT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hey jetset! I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR65CNT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. What do you think of it?
I'm looking forward to buying the Boveda Butler, but I'm saving up for it (I'm still in college).
Also, what is your opinion on our humidor?