RE: Question on racks for leo's.......

Hi, Just wanted to start a post on rack systems for leopard gecko breeding.

I have been interested in leopard geckos for a very long time and have bred them in the past, But many years ago and also used alot of 10 gal. tanks.

I am asking if a rack system would work to breed these,and what type of setups do folks use for this-Like what size tub for what size leo. I would assume 6 qt. for hatchlings, 15 qt. for sub adult to adult, and 28 qt. for a breeding tub.

Can back heat be used??? I have been searching quite a few sites with no luck on finding this info. out. I have constructed several racks for my ball python collection using back heat( I do like this method for heating ) And in my reptile room constant temps. of 84 are pretty constant. Drop to 82 during night on very cold days.

Any help would be helpful. And pictures of their leo breeding setup using racks would also be helpful. Thanks to all.....

I am no pro on these guys at all, but from what I have read belly heat is very important. I only have 3 leopard geckos and I have them each in their own 32 quart tub in my rack with belly heat.

I have seen videos online of some big breeders that keep them in much smaller tubs.

Ive heard of them being kept 1.4 to a 41qt tub. Idk if thats right tho...

Would be nice if you could use the back heat and use the 1.4 setup. I have a 40 qt. homemade rack ready to go just need to turn it on....

I think as long as you can provide the right temp it should be fine. however I use belly heat so cant say for sure. 41qt seems pretty big but I could be wrong.

I have my one female leo in a rack. She's in a 28qt tub (might be 32qt, I'd have to check) and she has back heat. It stays around 88-89 and she is doing well in it. I plan to keep all my leos in racks when I expand my leo collection. I've been told 32qt is good for 1-2 leos.

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Originally Posted by Reptilecam

I think as long as you can provide the right temp it should be fine. however I use belly heat so cant say for sure. 41qt seems pretty big but I could be wrong.

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Not for 5 geckos lol

If you are housing them singly 15qt tubs are perfect for adults, many people a trio or so in the 28-32qt tubs and I think the 1.6-8 groups in the 41qts. All you'd have to do with the rack is add some belly heat for the hot spot and it should be good to go for some adult groups. That should be as easy as using aluminum tape to secure down the flexwatt.

This is a really long video, but I thought it was worth my time (better grab some popcorn):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbVR1...eature=related

This is exactly why I love BP.NET. You ask questions and you get answers. I have regestered to mult. other sites. Ones directed at a specific reptile and, have not got the responces that this site brings. Thanks so much for your help and if anyone else has any input plz. respond. Thanks again..

I completely agree! I sometimes get even more answers here about geckos or other creatures than I do over on species specific sites. I am a huge fan of BP.net. Unless some drastic changes occur, I'm a lifer here.

You should post some pictures of the rack and leos when you get everyone set up. :D

I've spoken to breeders and the general consensus is, breeding tubs are 28qt with 3-4 geckos per tub. For adults a 15qt tub is perfect for housing individually. I actually just ordered a v-18 rack for my Leos, can't wait for it to arrive.

The way it is going, me too. I started posting a little while back and I have got more info here than any other site. Seems like the other sites if your new they don't even bother to respond. It's like if your not in the click your not in. Not so- here.....

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

You should post some pictures of the rack and leos when you get everyone set up. :D

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Will do. If I can figure out how to post pic. and video. LOL. I'm tring though.

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Originally Posted by notmyfault

I've spoken to breeders and the general consensus is, breeding tubs are 28qt with 3-4 geckos per tub. For adults a 15qt tub is perfect for housing individually. I actually just ordered a v-18 rack for my Leos, can't wait for it to arrive.

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Ya those visions are sweet. and I do have some pvc racks for my ball pythons. But the cost of buying them is getting costly when you are buying alot to get a decent collection going. I am pretty handy when it comes to building though and I have a great idea for racks to be built soon. Got a great idea from you tube. just have to get the meterials together soon. These are going to be racks for my adult ball pythons and also for a hatchling rack.

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Originally Posted by Taxiballbreeder

Ya those visions are sweet. and I do have some pvc racks for my ball pythons. But the cost of buying them is getting costly when you are buying alot to get a decent collection going. I am pretty handy when it comes to building though and I have a great idea for racks to be built soon. Got a great idea from you tube. just have to get the meterials together soon. These are going to be racks for my adult ball pythons and also for a hatchling rack.

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I have nothing against professional racks, but I cannot justify spending that much money on something I can create myself with the exact specifications that I need. I don't have a heated room so I require at least two different sections of flexwatt, most places don't even offer that. If they did, it even MORE costly for me. I tell anyone with a power drill to do it them self considering Home Depot and Lowes will cut all of your sheets usually for free. After the pieces are cut, all you need is to screw them together and tape on the flexwatt, easy.

Although I love the leos and I currently have a little female, I plan on keeping and breeding fat tails. Leos are quite the species, but there is this "must have" thing with the fat tails, I can't explain why. Either way there is much more information about leos than AFTs that is pretty easily transferred.

I know what you mean about the "clicks" on other forums, I personally don't understand it. Don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of other forums out there, but there isn't the community like BP.net has.

I as well would love to see some pics when you get going!

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Originally Posted by eel588

I have nothing against professional racks, but I cannot justify spending that much money on something I can create myself with the exact specifications that I need. I don't have a heated room so I require at least two different sections of flexwatt, most places don't even offer that. If they did, it even MORE costly for me. I tell anyone with a power drill to do it them self considering Home Depot and Lowes will cut all of your sheets usually for free. After the pieces are cut, all you need is to screw them together and tape on the flexwatt, easy.

Although I love the leos and I currently have a little female, I plan on keeping and breeding fat tails. Leos are quite the species, but there is this "must have" thing with the fat tails, I can't explain why. Either way there is much more information about leos than AFTs that is pretty easily transferred.

I know what you mean about the "clicks" on other forums, I personally don't understand it. Don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of other forums out there, but there isn't the community like BP.net has.

I as well would love to see some pics when you get going!

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Will try, I have to do some more research on putting pics up i'm sure someone has a thread on here some place. And to tell you the truth I may just forget about any other sites out there, Really who needs them when we got BP.NET!!!!!!

I just upload everything directly to photobucket. It's as easy as copying the IMG code directly to your new thread and it shows up perfectly for all to see. Try it, it's free and easy!

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Originally Posted by notmyfault

For adults a 15qt tub is perfect for housing individually.

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I believe this is true, I just can't see how all the hides (cold, hot, humid) and food/water/calcium bowls fit. I'd like to know, I can fit that many more geckos on my rack. :)

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Originally Posted by eel588

I just upload everything directly to photobucket. It's as easy as copying the IMG code directly to your new thread and it shows up perfectly for all to see. Try it, it's free and easy!

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Well did a bit of research and was able to load pix. to member's gallery. I assume all I have to do is cut and paste to a thread... I will try soon. Maybe a trial run with a new post on pix. of my room. Thanks alot. I do have photobucket but if I can load them from here it may be easier.

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Originally Posted by adamsky27

I believe this is true, I just can't see how all the hides (cold, hot, humid) and food/water/calcium bowls fit. I'd like to know, I can fit that many more geckos on my rack. :)

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I think what alot of breeders do is just have a hide with a moist paper towel under it on hot spot, Then calcium dish and water on other side. Think they eliminate the 2 hides etc.. I think this is what larger breeders are doing....

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Originally Posted by adamsky27

I believe this is true, I just can't see how all the hides (cold, hot, humid) and food/water/calcium bowls fit. I'd like to know, I can fit that many more geckos on my rack. :)

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Looks easy enough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH-z8...6&feature=plcp

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Originally Posted by eel588

If you are housing them singly 15qt tubs are perfect for adults, many people a trio or so in the 28-32qt tubs and I think the 1.6-8 groups in the 41qts. All you'd have to do with the rack is add some belly heat for the hot spot and it should be good to go for some adult groups. That should be as easy as using aluminum tape to secure down the flexwatt.

This is a really long video, but I thought it was worth my time (better grab some popcorn):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbVR1...eature=related

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I highly recommend watching ALL of this persons videos. There long, but definitely worth the time. Tons of info and tips.

We keep breeding groups in a 30qt iris tubs in either a 1.4 or 1.5. We use a total of 3 hides. 2 on the hot side one that has damp moss for egg laying and shedding. One on the cool side with 2 small dishes 1 with water and 1 with calcium in it. Single geckos are in a 12 qt iris tub set up basically the same. Hatchlings are in shoe box sized bins. All the racks are back heated. The temp on the hot side is about 90-92 degrees.

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Originally Posted by meeistom

We keep breeding groups in a 30qt iris tubs in either a 1.4 or 1.5. We use a total of 3 hides. 2 on the hot side one that has damp moss for egg laying and shedding. One on the cool side with 2 small dishes 1 with water and 1 with calcium in it. Single geckos are in a 12 qt iris tub set up basically the same. Hatchlings are in shoe box sized bins. All the racks are back heated. The temp on the hot side is about 90-92 degrees.

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Thanks for the great info. So you do use back heat. I was really wondering if I was going to get a pro back heat response. Can you post a pix of your rack setup so I can see how you do this. The type of racks I plan to build,would use the back heat method better than putting flex watt on the shelves. Either way can be done just ease of placement of the flex watt is easier on the back instead of belly. These racks I am going to build are using panel board with wood framing. There is a you tube vid of it at morph mart's channel on you tube. Only thing I'm going to do is use his idea for adults and 15 qt tubs for hatchlings with 2 tubs on each shelf.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/IMAG1025.jpg

Here's my adult gecko rack. 16qt tubs, housed by themselves ( other than the 3 days I place males with females ). I don't use hides, just a water bowl, small food bowl and milk jug lid for calcium.

( that's my small hatchling rack on top, and I do have a couple of small juvie snakes in the bottom row of my Leo rack )

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/IMAG1025.jpg

Here's my adult gecko rack. 16qt tubs, housed by themselves ( other than the 3 days I place males with females ). I don't use hides, just a water bowl, small food bowl and milk jug lid for calcium.

( that's my small hatchling rack on top, and I do have a couple of small juvie snakes in the bottom row of my Leo rack )

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Great setup. Thanks for the pix. So you use what 2 rows of what 11 inch back flex watt for those adults setups and prob. 3 or 4 inch back for those 6 qt hatchling tubs.

The adult rack has belly heat and the hatchling rack has back heat. The hatchling rack was the first rack my hubby built, so I'm making him make new ones with belly heat. I've heard Leo babies eat and grow better with belly heat, so I thought I'd try it.

Besides, with all the breeding we are doing this year, I hope we will need a few more hatchling racks! :please:

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

The adult rack has belly heat and the hatchling rack has back heat. The hatchling rack was the first rack my hubby built, so I'm making him make new ones with belly heat. I've heard Leo babies eat and grow better with belly heat, so I thought I'd try it.

Besides, with all the breeding we are doing this year, I hope we will need a few more hatchling racks! :please:

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Thanks so much you have been extremely helpful. I really do appriciate all the help from all the folks from this site. Especially from another Pennsylvanian. LOL... I'm near Pittsburgh Pa.

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Originally Posted by eel588

Looks easy enough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH-z8...6&feature=plcp

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What about when you breed? What tub do you put them in and how many geckos?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

What about when you breed? What tub do you put them in and how many geckos?

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I've never bred, but since the pair should only be together for around 3 days together and 3 days apart I plan on putting them together in the 15 or 16qt tub. I may single house all of mine in 32 tubs, but with all the pros doing it this way it seems a bit excessive. I don't think I want to breed in groups (just pairs), but my opinions may change. I have awhile to plan before I even recieve my group of fat tails, much less breed.

Lots of researching to do!

hey Guys thought I would drop in and help on this one. I saw that you posted my one video. Thanks for watching it, sorry they are so long. here are some pics of my room.

some shots of my gecko room
I use all Animal Plastics Iris racks with belly heat. I also just use heat cable I think it is safer the flex watt. Had a fire wipe me out one time and well I will never use flew watt ever again. Better safe then a Fire.
This photo has some of my wide style that can fit 2 15qt or one 32 qt tub per shelf. The wall on the left has breeder females that are kept 1 per 15qt tub. the wall strait ahead has my males. They each get a 15qt tub for them selves.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...25202002_n.jpg
breeder females are in 32qt and i have any where from 1-3 in each tub. Most tubs I only keep two females in a tub.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...52647237_n.jpg
on the left is more of the 32qt breeder tubs. on the right is baby tubs that are 6qt that I keep one per tub.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...97935110_n.jpg
just a picture of my work cart.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...41211238_n.jpg

if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Babys need a 12 quart. New borns can go a little while in a 6 qt. Adults 16 qt

Thanks for the replies.

SaSobek, That is an amazing setup! I would love a room like that for all of my herp interests. My personal leo collection is setup much like yours, but on a MUCH smaller scale.
Just wanted to throw in my .02 on food/water/calcium dishes that I use.
http://superiorshippingsupplies.com/...ish-small-50ct

I definitly agree. His setup and collection is amazing. He really has it down, I just wish I had more room to get into Leos as much as him. As for now I just have enough room for my Pythons and Poss. a few Leos. The Leopard Gecko is a great herp to get into.

i am going to keep breeding trios in 28 quart single adults in 15 quart and hatchlings in 6 quart back heat should work as long as you have the right temp in the tub