Welcome to Reptile Enthusiasts! If you’re considering getting a leopard gecko, one of the first big decisions you’ll make is setting up their habitat. A 40 gallon tank is a great size for an adult leopard gecko.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up the perfect 40 gallon vivarium for your new little friend.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The ideal 40 gallon leopard gecko tank setup should have 3 hides, a warm side of 90°F maintained by an under tank heater, a cool side of 70-75°F, substrate like reptile carpet or paper towels, and ample climbing décor.
Provide a calcium dish and gutload feeder insects.
Choosing the Right Tank
Glass vs Plastic
When selecting a terrarium for your leopard gecko, you’ll need to decide between glass or plastic. Glass tanks allow for better visibility and more secure fittings for heating and lighting. However, glass tanks can be very heavy, with a 40 gallon size weighing over 100 pounds.
Plastic tanks are much lighter in comparison, but may not properly retain heat. Most leopard gecko owners prefer glass for its transparency and secure construction, but plastic tanks can work well if set up properly.
Tank Dimensions
The ideal 40 gallon leopard gecko enclosure will measure 36″ x 18″ x 16″ (91 cm x 46 cm x 41 cm). This allows enough horizontal space for a proper temperature gradient, with room for hides and enrichment accessories. The 16″ height enables owners to create layered substrates and decor.
| Tank Size | Dimensions |
| 40 Gallons | 36″ x 18″ x 16″ |
As arboreal lizards, leopard geckos like to climb and appreciate vertical space. However, falls from heights can injure them. That’s why a tank with a medium height around 16 inches works well – it provides some climbing opportunity without excessive risk.
Lids and Covers
A tight-fitting, escape-proof lid or cover is essential for a leopard gecko setup. This smart reptile is an adept climber and can scale the tank walls with ease. Mesh or wire covers allow for lighting and heating while preventing great escapes!
Glass tanks usually come with a basic hood, but these don’t always fit well. Aftermarket alternatives like Zilla’s Fresh Air Screen Cover snap securely to the tank trim and provide well-ventilated containment.
For extra assurance, weights can be placed along the edge of the lid to deter climbing geckos.
Getting the proper tank is crucial for creating a good habitat for leopard geckos. With the right size glass enclosure, secure lid, and proper fixtures for temperature regulation, these interesting lizards will thrive in captivity.
Setting up the ideal 40 gallon environment will keep them healthy and happy in their terrarium home.
Heating and Lighting
Under Tank Heaters
Under tank heaters (UTH) are a must-have for leopard geckos. These flat heat mats stick to the bottom of the tank and provide belly heat, allowing your gecko to thermoregulate by moving on and off the mat as needed.
UTHs should cover around 1/3 of the tank’s floorspace and be connected to a thermostat to prevent overheating. The ideal floor temperature for leopard geckos is around 90°F directly over the UTH. Exo Terra and Fluker’s make excellent and affordable UTH options.
Overhead Heating
While UTHs provide necessary belly heat, an overhead heat source is also needed to create a temperature gradient and heat the air in the tank. Ceramic heat emitters or reptile basking bulbs can be used, connected to a thermostat and placed over one side of the tank.
This creates a warm side around 85-90°F and a cooler side around 75-80°F so your gecko can thermoregulate. Overhead heating also provides beneficial day/night cycles. A 50-75 watt bulb is usually sufficient for a 40 gallon tank. Make sure overhead fixtures are escape proof!
Temperature Gradient
Maintaining a proper temperature gradient is crucial for leopard geckos. Like all reptiles, they are cold blooded and rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature. Aim for a warm side around 88-92°F and a cooler side closer to 75-80°F.
Place multiple digital thermometers at each end to monitor this. Your leopard gecko will become stressed and prone to health issues if unable to properly thermoregulate along the gradient, so get those temperatures right!
Day/Night Cycles
Leopard geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Creating proper day/night cycles will mimic their natural habitat and behaviors. Use an overhead heating bulb on a timer for 12 hours on and 12 hours off.
This simulates daytime when the sun is out, followed by a nighttime drop in temperatures. You can also use low wattage bulbs at night. Avoid 24 hours of bright overhead lighting, as leopard geckos need a dark, cool period to sleep and prevent stress.
Proper photoperiods are key for healthy leopard geckos!
Substrate and Decor
Substrate Options
When selecting a substrate for a leopard gecko tank, there are a few good options to consider. Paper towel is easy to clean and replace, but lacks visual interest. Reptile carpets allow your gecko to get traction while exploring its habitat, but these need regular cleaning to prevent bacteria growth.
For most owners, a loose substrate like coconut fiber or reptile sand works well. Loose substrates support natural digging behaviors. However, impaction is a risk if a gecko accidentally ingests the particles, so feed your pet in a separate bare tank.
Hides
Leopard geckos are prey animals by nature, so hiding spots help them feel secure. Provide a warm humid hide on the heated side of the tank and a cooler dry hide on the non-heated side. The minimum is one hide per gecko, but the more options you provide, the happier your pet will be!
Both caves and cardboard box hides work well as long as they are an appropriate size for your leopard gecko.
Plants and Climbing Decor
While leopard geckos prefer to stay low to the ground, adding some greenery and climbing opportunities can make your 40 gallon tank more exciting! Sansevieria, pothos ivy, and succulents are low light houseplants safe for leopard gecko tanks.
Be sure to research any plants you add to ensure they are non-toxic. Sterling silver vine, bamboo shoots, and cork wood give geckos new textures and platforms to explore and climb on. Positioning a basking platform near the heat lamp allows your pet to properly thermoregulate its body temperature.
Accessories
Beyond the basics of substrate, hides, and plants, accessories customize the tank to your leopard gecko’s personality! A shallow water dish should be provided for soaking and shedding assistance. Mealworm feeding dishes prevent live prey from burrowing and allow you to monitor your gecko’s appetite.
Custom background wallpaper affixed to the rear tank glass adds beauty and enrichment. For young geckos, consider adding a reptile hammock low to the substrate to prevent falls. And no tank is complete without handmade hiding spots and basking platforms to keep your pet entertained for hours!
Setting Up the Tank
Setting up the perfect habitat for your leopard gecko is crucial to keeping them healthy and happy. Here are some tips on assembling and preparing their tank.
Assembling the Tank
A 40 gallon tank is an ideal size for an adult leopard gecko. Make sure to thoroughly clean the tank before use to remove any chemicals or debris. A screen lid is recommended to provide ventilation. Consider getting a tank with front-opening doors for easy access and cleaning.
Arranging Decor and Substrate
Leopard geckos love climbing and hiding, so place decor like driftwood, rocks, and artificial plants to create a stimulating habitat. Add plenty of hides on both the warm and cool side – you can never have too many! Use a reptile-safe loose substrate like reptile carpet or paper towels.
Avoid using sand, which can cause impaction if ingested.
Heating Pad Placement
Proper heating is essential for leopard geckos to digest food and maintain healthy immune systems. Place an under tank heating pad under one side of the tank, covering around 1/3 of the bottom. Make sure the pad is made for the tank size. Use a thermostat to regulate the temperature precisely.
Maintaining Proper Temperature
Leopard geckos require a temperature gradient to properly thermoregulate:
| 88-92°F | on the warm side (directly over heating pad) |
| 70-75°F | on the cool side |
By following these tips on setting up their habitat, your leopard gecko will have an awesome and enriching home to thrive in for years to come! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Maintenance
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning the enclosure daily is crucial for keeping your leopard gecko healthy and happy. This involves removing waste, uneaten food, and other debris. It’s best to use a designated leopard gecko safe cleaner or plain water to spot clean.
Focus on corners, decor items, and other areas waste can get trapped. Quick daily spot cleaning helps prevent bacteria growth and ammonia buildup from waste. It also reduces the frequency of deep cleanings needed.
Deep Cleaning
A deep clean of the entire tank should occur every 1-2 months. This involves removing everything from the enclosure and thoroughly disinfecting the tank and all decor. First remove your leopard gecko from the tank temporarily. Then take out all substrates, decor items, food and water dishes etc.
Give the tank a good scrub with a pet-safe cleaner or a mild soap and water solution if needed. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Disinfect decor items with diluted bleach or other reptile-safe disinfectants. Rinse decor thoroughly before putting back in the tank.
Allow the tank and items to completely dry before adding fresh substrates and returning decor and your gecko.
Replacing Substrate
The substrate should be totally replaced every 2-3 months as part of tank maintenance. Substrates like reptile carpets and paper towels may need replacing more frequently. Spot clean daily and deep clean monthly, but substrates can still build up microbes and waste over time.
Replace loose particle substrates like crushed walnut shells or calcium sand every 1-2 months. Replace solid mat substrates like reptile carpets every 2-3 months. When replacing any substrate, be sure to fully disinfect the tank itself first.
Then add the fresh substrate according to package directions.
Sanitizing Decor
It’s important to sanitize your leopard gecko’s tank decor items regularly to prevent bacteria growth. Popular decor items include hides, climbing branches, hammocks, and fake plants. When doing a deep clean, decor should be disinfected.
Use a pet-safe reptile tank cleaning spray or a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 32 parts water) to disinfect. Spray or soak decor in the solution for 5-10 minutes then rinse very thoroughly with plain water several times. Make sure to completely rinse off any soap or chemical residues.
Allow decor to fully dry before returning to the tank after cleaning. Sanitizing decor items whenever swapping them around is also a good practice.
Conclusion
We hope this guide gives you a great starting point for setting up an ideal 40 gallon tank habitat for a leopard gecko. The key is providing an appropriate heat gradient, ample hides and climbing opportunities, and proper substrate. Don’t forget to also gutload feeder insects and provide calcium.
With the right setup, your leopard gecko will thrive in their 40 gallon home!
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about leopard gecko tank setups! And be sure to check out our care guides for more tips on keeping these wonderful pets.
