Air temps for baby leo's?

**jakehinds** · 03-23-2013, 03:53 AM

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What should the air temps be for 4 inch leo's? I am currently using the zoomed 4 watt heat pad connected to the zoomed thermostat set to 90* F. A 60watt CHE, and a 60watt incandescent bulb for heat/light. I dont have the little guy yet but so far i've reached 88 warm side air temp with the probe sitting on a basking log about 5 inches off the ground in a 20 gallon. If that's too low i can either use foil on the lid to keep heat in or a higher wattage incandescent bulb

**Elizabeth Freer** · 03-23-2013, 07:33 AM

Good for you setting up the habitat first!

Is your UTH 1/3 the length of the tank and nearly as wide?

Did you get a 10 inch diameter reflecting dome? Contains and redirects heat well.

Be sure to verify the thermostat's setting with a temp gun or probe from a digital thermometer.

Temps for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

**jakehinds** · 03-23-2013, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

Good for you setting up the habitat first!

Is your UTH 1/3 the length of the tank and nearly as wide?

Did you get a 10 inch diameter reflecting dome? Contains and redirects heat well.

Be sure to verify the thermostat's setting with a temp gun or probe from a digital thermometer.

Temps for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

I have the CHE in the 5.5 inch deep dome cause that's what I've had before, I have the zoomed mini heat pad who's is 4x5" for my 20 long but I'll be picking up a bigger one soon

**Elizabeth Freer** · 03-23-2013, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by jakehinds

I have the CHE in the 5.5 inch deep dome cause that's what I've had before, I have the zoomed mini heat pad who's is 4x5" for my 20 long but I'll be picking up a bigger one soon

The way heat travels, u-p-w-a-r-d-s, seems like the larger the dome the more heat efficient it will be directing heat into the vivarium. You might experiment?

Make sure the 5.5 inch dome is rated for the CHE wattage you are using.

Recommend sizing the heat pad up for a 20 gallon LONG to the size rec for 30-40 gallon tanks.

**jakehinds** · 03-23-2013, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

The way heat travels, u-p-w-a-r-d-s, seems like the larger the dome the more heat efficient it will be directing heat into the vivarium. You might experiment?

Make sure the 5.5 inch dome is rated for the CHE wattage you are using.

Recommend sizing the heat pad up for a 20 gallon LONG to the size rec for 30-40 gallon tanks.

Well I don't have a lot of money so i'll probably just keep the 5.5 inch dome, which is rated for the CHE and i will check out the heat pads. And when you say no hotter 85* for air temps, is that day and night? Because again, i can reach 88* with the CHE and incandescent or 85* with just the CHE. Thanks!

**Elizabeth Freer** · 03-24-2013, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by jakehinds

Well I don't have a lot of money so i'll probably just keep the 5.5 inch dome, which is rated for the CHE and i will check out the heat pads. And when you say no hotter 85* for air temps, is that day and night? Because again, i can reach 88* with the CHE and incandescent or 85* with just the CHE. Thanks!

What temperature are you getting under the warm dry hide right on the substrate? Have you a digital thermometer with a probe to measure ground and air temps? Belly heat is best supplied with an UTH. It is important for leos to have belly heat for digestion.

Some of us recommend leaving the UTH on 24/7. Overhead heating/lighting can be on a timer to switch off at night. Suugested timer setting: 8 PM off and 8 AM on.

Be sure to verify the thermostat's setting with a temp gun or probe from a digital thermometer.

Daytime temps for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end