You have three main options to consider when selecting housing for your new Leopard Gecko:

 

Plastic Container or Tub

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     The first option is a plastic container.  The plastic container, or tub for short, is a rectangular shaped plastic box.  The tub gives you several advantages.  Tubs can be easily found and are very affordable.  Tubs come in a wide array of sizes allowing you to customize the enclosure to your gecko's requirements.  You can keep an adult leopard gecko in a 32 quart tub.  Babies should start in a 6 quart tub, shoe box size.    The  tub is very light and easy to move for cleaning. 

     The humidity can be controlled easily by simply drilling holes into the sides of the tub.  You can also use a soldering iron to put holes in the tub, if you are proficient with a soldering iron. 

     The tub is not completely clear in most cases, giving the gecko some added security.  The tubs stack, so a large collection can be kept in a small area.  The ability to stack the tubs or place them into a rack is the main reason breeders or people with larger collections use tubs. 

     There are two main disadvantages to tubs.  The first disadvantage of the tub is you can not view your gecko clearly.  The second disadvantage of the tub is your heating options are limited.

 

Melamine or PVC enclosure

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     The second option is an enclosure built for reptiles.  It has solid walls and clear front panels.  The enclosure is usually made of Melamine or PVC.  It usually has a plexiglass front opening door.  These enclosures work well because the gecko feels less exposed, but you still have great visibility.  It maintains temperature and humidity very well. 

     The main problem with these enclosures is price.  You can expect to spend over $100.  The enclosures come in a few different sizes.  These enclosures are not easy to clean.

 

Glass Aquarium

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     The third option is a glass aquarium.   This option is cheap, easy to find, and great at maintaining the right humidity level.   It offers great visibility of your new pet.  It is an ideal choice. 

     Geckos require humidity of 30% to 40%.  This level is easily achieved.  The humidity of a house is usually at the correct level for your gecko. There is no need for escape proof lids because leopard geckos are not good climbers.  If you have to keep other pets out of the enclosure, a screen lid would work very well.  Some keepers use a screen top which works very well for adding heat or lighting.  The screen lid also allows the humidity to escape the enclosure to aid in achieving the correct humidity level.

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Other Enclosure Items Needed

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     You will need to provided your gecko with a warm side hide, cool side hide, and a moist hide.  The warm and cool hides provide the gecko a way to thermoregulate.  Leopard geckos are cold blooded so they can not regulate their own body temperature.  The moist hide aids the gecko during sheds.  The moist hide should be placed on the warm side of the enclosure.  Your gecko will not enjoy being wet and cold.  You can use either a paper towel, coconut bedding, or sphagnum moss in your moist hide.  You will need to check the moist hide daily to ensure that the hide stays moist and at the appropriate humidity level.

     You will need three different dishes in their enclosure.  First, you will need a food dish for worms.  You should choose a dish that is rounded so the worms will not be able to escape.  If they do escape, your gecko can easily find them but having roaming worm makes clean up more time consuming.  It is entertaining to watch your gecko hunt it's food, which they will do even when feeding from the dish.  It is also important to keep the worms in the dish because the worms can injest gecko droppings.  Your gecko would then consume the worms, thus injesting their own droppings.

     You will also need a dish for calcium with D3.  Your gecko will know when it's time to get calcium.  They will make their way to the bowl and lap up the calcium they need.

     Finally, you will need a dish for water.  You may never see your gecko drink from the dish.  Most likely, you will see your gecko lap up water droplets that have formed on the side of their enclosure.  There is some controversy as to whether or not you should put the water dish in the enclosure.  It is always better to have some water to prevent dehydration. 

     Also remember to place various decorative items, such as plants and possibly logs, to provide your gecko with some enrichment activities.

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