Need advice

[-okapi-]

Ive never kept leopard geckos before and i plan on getting 3 (1.2), but first i want to learn as much as i can about leos.

I have a 20gallon aquarium that i plan on keeping them in. Im currently breeding mealworms, and superworm beetles that i gutload with chicken egg laying mash. I also have a jar calcium/vitamin D3 supplement.

Now for the questions:
What kind of substrate should i use? I want to use sand but but i dont know what kind to use. Ive read at different places not to use playsand, but then ive also read that its ok to use if you sift it for "larger particles". Ive also read not to use the calcium-sand stuff in petstores because they eat it thinking it is a vitamin, however ive also read that its ok to use.

Where should i get my leos? Ive checked out the petstores in this area, and im kinda dissapointed. Of the 4 stores ive visited, 1 was waaaaaay too overpriced, 2 have thin/lathargic/sick looking overly priced leos, and 1 has good looking leos for an ok price. The only problem with the "good" pet store is that i plan on getting a population of 1.2, and if i buy all 3 from the same place, at the same time then they will be inbreeding if they breed. Should i buy all 3 from different locations? The closest reptile shows are both 2.5 hours away, and with gas prices here being $2.70 that would cost like 30-40 bucks in gas.... so i dont plan on going to a reptile show to get my leos.

ty in advance.

[nashwdragons]

well u can try to find out someone from the same carea who is going to the reptile show and u can split the cost......orr buy ure geckos online but ready to pay $45-70 for shipping.
As for most of the people i know.....they dont use calci sand but sifted play sand....and always get an alert and healthy looking gecko.

NAsh

[Nuclear]

First, you need another tank. A 20gl isnt nearly large enough for 3 imo, its actually the best recommendation for just one. The two females should be ok though, still not the best idea. Second you cannot house a male with the two females year round. You can keep them together for a few weeks if breeding, but thats it. If they are kept together always the male wil constantly mate which is harmful physically and very stressful. Because they WILL breed, theres no stopping that. Finally, they need to be quarantined for 90 days before introduction anyway, so one tank isnt going to cut it. My suggestion is to get one for now, start small as thats all you really have the supplies for. Then you can expand once you know you like them and you get used to caring for them.

You can check out my care sheet if you want, it should give you a good rundown of what you will need. http://www.freewebs.com/luminousleos/caresheet.htm

The best place to buy a leo is from a breeder online. Usually prices for shipping dont go over 45 dollars, $25 if you ship USPS. The highest I've ever seen if 60 bucks. Best prices/quality if you find the right place. Check classifieds like http://faunaclassifieds.com or http://reptilemarket.com

[-okapi-]

ok, I got my first leopard gecko. She's an albino and she only cost $49.99! The normal price at same store is $59.99 and at other stores in my area $60-$80. I have her in a 20gallon long with 2-4 inches of sand and 2 hide boxes and 1 humid box. She also has a water bowl and a bowl with live mealworms and calcium powder on the cool end of the aquarium. I feed her crickets in a "bare" 5 gallon to keep impactions away. A breeder told me this was okay as she wont be ingesting sand and she is less likely to eat the sand if she has calcium powder avalible at all times. The sand i use is "Reptisand" which was recomended in a book i read, Reptiles magazine, and the breeder i talked to. i got her last week and she has poopied 5 times, which is a good sign of health. Is it normal for them to poop under their basking spot every time they poop? Im only asking because my iguana poops anywhere, just like all other reptiles ive had exp with (burmese python, ball python, box turtle, map turtle, red-eared slider, iguana, painted turtle).
TY for the help

[bdriver2]

That is one of the great bonuses to own a leo, poop:same place everytime. It makes clean oh so simple!!

[Brion]

"Nuclear" has some great advice. I have 2 leos myself, in different cages even though one is female and the other male. I prefer the idea of raising each gecko separately and intoducing them to breed, and then putting them back in their own tanks, because this would avoid fighting and they would both be healthy (eating properly). But if i were you, i would start out with one, or if you want to buy all 3, at least keep them separate. Reptile shows are great, because of the selection of morphs and great prices. Mississauga has a show on November 27, which i am planning to go to. If that's not too far away from you, i would recommend it.
For the sand, i have always used Repti-Sand, though it can be expensive. It's great because it is a fine sand; less likely for impaction to occur. Hope everything goes well, leos are great pets!