Enclosure Size

[TheHabit]

Would I be ok putting a baby leo in a 10g tank with plenty of hides/decorations or should I start it off in a medium/large Kritter Keeper?

[Sunny1]

I would start with at least the 10 gal. My leo is 6 months, and currently in a 10, and I am on the lookout for a larger tank (how come when I need something I can't find it on CL??). She has her 3 hides in there, plus her little calcium dish, a small water bowl, as well as another small dish where I keep her mealworms in constantly and the poor thing looks cramped. But if you buy a baby leo a 10 gal should be good for awhile.

[TheHabit]

I was also thinking about a 15g Long, same dimensions as a 20 long but 24" long instead of 30". Would that be okay or do you think that would be too big and stress a baby out?

[Ringo]

I started my leo in a 20g tall. Most people say that leos dont like to climb very much but mine loves to climb. I put one of those natural looking rock backgrounds in the tank that is made out of styrofoam and she loves climbing up and down it. She climbs all over everything. I myself would recommend going with something larger than a 10g even for a baby because they grow really fast. At least mine did.

[Clementine_3]

I put my girls right in their 20 gallon longs as babies and they were fine. As long as there are plenty of hides they will feel secure. I think a 10, or even a 15, would be a very tight fit for an adult and, as said, they do grow quickly.
Oh, they do and will climb so a lid is a must IMO.

[TheHabit]

Were your girls in the same tank? Is a 20 long good for a single baby/juvenile?

[Clementine_3]

Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer. They each have their own tank, so yes, they are great for a baby right through adulthood. The key is a lot of hides so they are able to move from the warm side to cool without feeling like they are out in the open and vulnerable to predation. It doesn't take them long to get settled in and be out in the open without a worry, but a wee baby does need to feel secure.

[TheHabit]

I was looking through the forums and saw this:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...floorsetup.jpg

I thought it was a really cool idea and was thinking about doing something like this with a 15g

[Clementine_3]

Second stories are always an option to provide more space. The only problem I would see with it would be cleaning, but I'm all about easy and am not so creative so just stick with a single layer.

[Sunny1]

Second stories are always an option to provide more space. The only problem I would see with it would be cleaning, but I'm all about easy and am not so creative so just stick with a single layer.

I'm all about cleaning being easy too...LOL!! With my constantly growing collection anything to make cleaning simple and quick!! Although whoever's enclosure that is it is certainly beautiful!!