[haakon1501]

The other day I bought a 30x30x45cm / 12"x12"x18" exo-terra (very excited!)

I try to take my time planning and avoid mistakes.. So if anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate it

Now, my question is: for under-tank heating, should I use a 20x20cm heater (8"x8") or a 26,5x28cm heater (10"x11")? (the former covers 2/3 of total area, and the latter almost 100% of total area)

Is the placement important? (In the front, very middle, back?)

The vivarium will hopefully be a rainforest set-up with a pair/trio of
L. Williamsi.

Thank you for any words of wisdom

[Frinta]

Well, i dont have an natural terrarium for my L. williamsi, but i can tell you for sure that under tank heater is the wrong choice

What you want is an a UV providing (and other stuff if u keep real plants) lamp that covers as much as possible in the area on top

then you want an small lamp that provides as basking spot, direct it like a leaf or wood surface, so your plants leafs dont get injured from it.

Also you should remember if you buy real plants that you should get them while they are reasonably large, if you want them to actually be in use for the geckos.

[haakon1501]

thank you so much!

[Chum]

I agree with Frinta that UTH is the wrong way to go for Lygodactylus williamsi.

Since you are planning to buy an exo-terra I would just recomend to buy two lamps for it (one bulb socket in each lamp)

In there I would place a 26W 5.0 UVB compact bulb and in the other a 13W 2.0 UVB compact bulb.

The two lamps will cover the screen net so that humidity will be slightly higher, and the two bulbs should be able to keep the heat up inside the terrarium. Try to set it up in advance and put a digital thermometer in there so you better and easier can check the temps durring the day as well as check maximum and minimum temps. This setup works well for me housing both adults and hatchlings. In the summer time here in my appartment in DK the rooms get quite hot and I will actually have to remove a lamp or turn of a bulb to keep down the temps in an acceptable range.

About a trio in that size terrarium I would not go there, I have tried it myself and it worked, but not very well. go for a pair in that size or at least a 45x45x45cm (preferable a 45x45x60 or 60x45x60) terra for a trio.

Oh and just a tip: try to make good use of the 3D of the terrarium using branches/wines or plants to reach up in the top front and middle.

Have fun building and designing.