• The standard photoperiod for leopard geckos is:
  
  - 14 hours of daylight during the warmer summer months.
  - 10 hours of daylight during the cooler winter months.
  
  
• It is critical that you gradually adjust the photoperiod.
  
  
• The easiest way to provide the necessary photoperiod is to hook your lighting equipment up to automatic timers.
  
  
• Ensure the provision of the necessary shelters, shade and other hiding places to shelter the gecko from overhead or room lighting. 
  
  
• If your gecko is in a room that has a window, you can keep the curtain/shades open at night to let in any natural sources of light (such as the moon or even street lights).

What type of lighting equipment should you use?

• Black heat lamps.
  
  
• Red head lamps.
  
  
• Never use a bright white light during the nighttime hours - this will cause a significant amount of stress in your gecko.
  
  
• If you have live plants in your enclosure, be sure to provide full spectrum florescent lighting.
  
  
• Ensure that your basking/overhead lights are providing the necessary temperatures, and not just the necessary lighting.

What about UV lighting?

• There is a lot of on-going debate and controversy right now over the need for ultra-violet lighting for nocturnal geckos such as leopard geckos.  
  
  
• If you decide not to use UV lighting, be sure to use a proper supplementation regime including proper and periodic use of Vitamin D3.
  
  
• If you decide to use UV lighting, be sure to prevent the constant exposure of your gecko to the UV rays which can cause eye and skin problems.  Ensure that your gecko has hides throughout the temperature gradients at all times.