Leopard Gecko Naturalistic Set-Up

[KTyne]

I hope this is the right section to post this in.

I'm wanting to set up my Leopard Gecko's tank to look more natural because frankly, right now it's pretty boring, LOL. I want it to be a display piece.

I'm thinking about using a sand/soil mix but I'm wondering what you guys would recommend? I was thinking about putting some live desert plants in there but I also think that might be a bit too much work to keep them alive/in good condition.

I would love it if you could give me any tips you have about setting up this type of enclosure for my Leo. (ps- my Leopard Gecko is just about 1.5 years old and I would feed her outside of her enclosure to minimize impaction risks )

[EricBel]

I have a Leopard Gecko setup that I recently did this for as well. I mixed the sand and potting soil together and used succulents as plants. What I noticed is the plants I left in the pots and covered with sand to hide the pots did the best. The ones I tried to just plant in the ground have pretty much all died at this point. It could also do with the lighting, it was stronger over where the potted plants were. Anyways, best of luck.

[KTyne]

Thanks! I was wondering if I should leave the plants in the pots or take them out. I think I shall leave them in after hearing this.

[lilleyofthevalley]

I would definitely leave them in their pots. We got two little cacti and a succulent for our friend's terrarium, just planted them in the tank ...and if the super worms ever got out of the bowl (and they do all the time), they'd eat the root system on the plants. They straight up demolished the succulent we put in there.

Also, there's excavate? It's a clay based substrate to mold tunnels for desert dwelling lizards. I think using a bit of that around the pot as a bit more protection would be a good idea. We plan on trying it out on the leopards' terrarium when we redo it