Lighting and Heat

Now that the inside of your tank is all set up, lets talk about the outside. A lid is a must. Although leopard geckos do not stick to glass, they are great climbers and could sneak out on you. The last thing to consider is lighting. A 60 to 75 watt incandescent bulb will work perfectly. Your local pet shop should be able to provide you with a bulb and fixture that will clip right to your tank or sit on top. Be Careful!! These bulbs get hot!!! Keep it away from children or other pets that may knock it over. This lighting set up will provide a nice basking spot and keep the temperature about 85 to 90 degrees inside the tank. Keep you light at the opposite end of the tank as your shelter. This helps create a temperature range inside the tank. This is where a timer will come in handy (especially if you're forgetful like me) :) They are inexpensive and will save you the trouble of remembering to turn the light off and on at the right times. Giving your gecko 12 hours of light per day will help him set his internal clock.