Re: New to the list & I have a few questions....

[Michael waters]

Hello to everyone out there in gecko land. I am a new member to the list & the association & I have to start my membership off with an array of questions that I hope someone out there can help me with. I have several different species ranging from Leopards to Mossy Leaftails & have just recently purchased my first of the Rhacodactylus species. I have a beautiful 5 month old Gargoyle (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) gecko & a small Crested (Rhacodactylus ciliatus) gecko & they are in pretty much the same type of setup.   Basically, I'm just wanting to try & make them as comfy as possible. I am curious if anyone might be able to help me out with artificially simulating their enviroments. I have started the tanks out with a peat moss bottom/substrate & then covered it with woodland fern moss & a few climbing limbs & perches. They have been in this "enviroment" for over 2 weeks now & they seem to be doing well...but I just want to be sure. Is this the proper setting for this species? Do I need to keep the tank damp & cool? Heavy misting? This is just a species that I am kind of in the dark on & I don't want to make any mistakes. Even if you know of a website or info spot...anything would help!    My second question is involving the calcium sand. I am not positive of what brand name it is...but it is very commonly used in the pet trade. The thing is...can this be detremental to my gecko's health in any way? I have 3 leopards that have been doing well with this base, but I just recently purchased a Tibetan Frog Eyed Gecko & just want to be sure that this is suitable. Here again, this is a species that I am in the dark on & don't want to make any mistakes.  Thanks for everyone's time & more thanks to whomever answers!! Have a great week.                                                                                                                                                                     Michael