Noob question

Moosenart · #1 01-02-2012, 10:57 PM

My heatpad on my 10 gallon (for future male leo) is 103 degrees, much to hot. I am trying small pieces of cardboard to "bypass" the heat?

Any suggestions WITHOUT a rheostat or thermostat, i can reduce the heat?

If not i will get a rheostat.

AnthonyA · #2 01-03-2012, 12:40 AM

What size is the heat pad rated for?

**Riverside Reptiles** · #3 01-03-2012, 01:03 AM

Why would you not want to get a thermostat? It'll make your gecko much happier, your job of keeping proper temps much easier, and it'll make it much safer for both your pet and your home. For a $30ish investment, I would think it's a no brainer. IMO all heating devices should be on thermostats.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a rheostat. You might save a couple of bucks, but it won't adjust the temps for you when needed. You have to do it manually. So, if something over heats for some reason...the ambient air temps in the room go way up or down, and you don't happen to be there to adjust it, it's going to do no good. With a thermostat, you just set it at the temp that you want and no matter what, it'll keep your temps where they need to be. It takes all of the work right out of it.

Here's links to a couple of inexpensive thermostats:
BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...570551&sr=8-11

Moosenart · #4 01-03-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

Why would you not want to get a thermostat? It'll make your gecko much happier, your job of keeping proper temps much easier, and it'll make it much safer for both your pet and your home. For a $30ish investment, I would think it's a no brainer. IMO all heating devices should be on thermostats.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a rheostat. You might save a couple of bucks, but it won't adjust the temps for you when needed. You have to do it manually. So, if something over heats for some reason...the ambient air temps in the room go way up or down, and you don't happen to be there to adjust it, it's going to do no good. With a thermostat, you just set it at the temp that you want and no matter what, it'll keep your temps where they need to be. It takes all of the work right out of it.

Here's links to a couple of inexpensive thermostats:
BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control
Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I got a thermostat (OVERPRICED)! what would be a good temperature? I find conflicting temps..;

I got a 10-20 gallon UTH for a 20L is that big enough? and yess RR it will be on a thermostat

acpart · #5 01-03-2012, 09:28 PM

It sounds like an appropriate heater size. Set the UTH for 92 or so. There's an acceptable temp range in the low 90's

Aliza

Moosenart · #6 01-03-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acpart

It sounds like an appropriate heater size. Set the UTH for 92 or so. There's an acceptable temp range in the low 90's

Aliza

What should the cool side be at?

Yoshi'smom · #7 01-04-2012, 07:53 AM

About room temperature. But no lower than 75F. You'll need three different temps in your tank:
Cool side air temp- 75-80F
Warm side air temp- 85F (ish)
Warm side floor temp- 92-95F
Find a digital thermometer with a probe and measure these temps. Good luck.

acpart · #8 01-04-2012, 08:09 PM

I really don't worry about the cool side. It's whatever it is in my house, which can be in the low 60's during the day in the winter. I figure that's what thermoregulation is all about: if they want to brumate (and some do) they stay on the cool side, and if they want to be warm (which some do), they go into their hides on the warm side and it's toasty.

Aliza

**Elizabeth Freer** · #9 01-04-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosenart

I got a thermostat (OVERPRICED)! what would be a good temperature? I find conflicting temps..;

I got a 10-20 gallon UTH for a 20L is that big enough? and yess RR it will be on a thermostat

Moosenart ~

Very good that you bought a thermostat! This will simplify your life and keep your leo's tank from overheating

.

From the online pictures it seems like the recommended Hydrofarm model ($31) has only a single socket. The BAH 1000DC ($45) has 3 sockets. The latter is recommended if you are plugging in an overhead light to assist with nighttime viewing as well as the UTH. I imagine that would/might be safer than using an adapter to convert the Hydrofarm's model to add a 2nd heating device????

So your leo's tank is a 10 gallon? It is difficult to achieve a thermal gradient within a 10 gallon tank.

Have you seen this care sheet: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...12-update.html

**Riverside Reptiles** · #10 01-04-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

From the online pictures it seems like the recommended Hydrofarm model ($31) has only a single socket. The BAH 1000DC ($45) has 3 sockets. The latter is recommended if you are plugging in an overhead light to assist with nighttime viewing as well as the UTH.

Number of sockets has nothing to do with anything...you only need one. Just plug a power strip into it and you have as many sockets (and devices) as you need. What you have to be careful of is how many watts can the thermostat handle. As long as you don't go over said wattage, you can plug as many devices into it as you want.