Beginner advice fro leo tanks set up

[Snake_Griffin]

Hey all I have decided to get a 4mon. old leo gecko for my new pet. I still need a few things before he/she moves in, and I have some question to ask all you nice people.

First question is the thermometer; would it be ok to use one of those glass ones with the numbers on the plastic border, or are they too in-accurate.
Another temp related question; if I use a thermostat for the heat pad would I even need a thermometer?

Next is the hides; if I am using a tupperware container how high from the bottom of the aquarium should the entrance/exit hole be so the gecko can get in and out easily?

Food; what worms do leo's like the most, I know I am suposed to feed it every day but how many worms a day, I guess it depends on the size of the worms and leo, so what would you recomend for a 4mon. old.

Thanks in advance for all your help. I'll probably post more question if any come to mind. Thanks again.

[Ixidor]

1.) Unless you'd be planning to put the thermometer on the ground, its not going to work, assuming you have a UTH, I'm not sure about a heat lamp, as I have never used one. I'm pretty sure they don't heat the air though, just the bottom of the enclosure. Ideally, you'd want something like a tempgun, just go in every morning and check the temps. You could also use something that has a probe, but those are pretty expensive from what I understand. ALWAYS have a thermometer, thermostats can have surges, and can burn your gecko if you aren't able to see the temp.

2.)Depends on the gecko, babies love things close to there backs, they'll crawl under anything they can get into. Adults tend to like more spacious hides. Juvies is just a matter of personal preference.

3.) Food, what they like most is not neccessairly what is best for them, nor for your wallet =D. Mealworms are generally the healthiest worm staple. Waxworms are treats, they are good for breeding females, same with butterworms, and if you can find them, silkworms. Crickets also work.

-Ixidor

[striko_69]

Heat lamps work fine, of course they heat the air, put your hand near a lamp at home and that'll give you an idea lol. Try using a medical thermometer, take temp reading every day at morning and night. Or you can buy a digital thermometer and place it on the floor where the hot spot will be.