[Saraelaine123]

I have a Leopard Gecko. We think he's a boy but my ex, who's a reptile breeder and picked him up at a show for me, never sexed him. My terrarium was getting warn enough at home but now that I'm in my dorm at college it's getting WAY to cold, it's not even registering on my interior thermostat I have in the terrarium. I can't really have a heat lamp going in my dorm it'll attract too much attention (he's technically not allowed to live with me here). So I'm using 2 different heating pads and it's still not doing enough! It's a 10 gallon tank by Zilla.
Any suggestions on how to fix my little heating issue?
thanks
Sara

[Angey]

He should be in a 20 gallon long to have proper temps through the tank but still workable with a 10...
Do you have a thermometer with a probe to check floor temp? Air temp will be cooler but if you still arnt hitting the proper floor temp and needing more heat without light use a ceramic heat emitter.

[Saraelaine123]

thanks i'll take a look at ceramic heaters and no i don't have a thermometer with a probe. I'm willing to do anything for Gabe but most of the time I'm not sure what I need to do even though I'm always looking up stuff on how I could be making his terrarium better

[Angey]

Have you checked out the caresheet?
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...12-update.html

Also this forum is very helpful, I have learned a lot spending time reading here. Everyone here is so very helpful!

[Yoshi'smom]

Firstly I would read over the care sheet that Angey has linked for you. It really should answer all of your questions about your leo.
Secondly invest in a digital thermometer with a probe. See what kinds of temps you are getting first with the two heat mats and then bump them up with CHE if needed. Really though, you don't want to have two heat mats. You can use one in conjunction with the CHE. You should be able to get a gradient of temps in the tank, which as Angey also pointed out, is hard to get in such a small tank.
Let us know exactly the temps you are reading above the heat mat and we can help with suggestions if the temps aren't correct.

[sajane]

just a desk lamp with a 25 watt bulb will work fine in daytime also they make red or blacklight bulbs for night time. sometimes i just swing my grandsons desk lamp over the hermit crabs. I used to think a 10 gal was too small but i have changed my mind since i put 1 of my girls in the 10 gal, i no longer have to hand feed her as she can catch her own crix now. of course i have 2 magnatural ledges and a driftwood so that makes 3 levels if you include the hides.

[Angey]

Originally Posted by sajane

just a desk lamp with a 25 watt bulb will work fine in daytime also they make red or blacklight bulbs for night time. sometimes i just swing my grandsons desk lamp over the hermit crabs. I used to think a 10 gal was too small but i have changed my mind since i put 1 of my girls in the 10 gal, i no longer have to hand feed her as she can catch her own crix now. of course i have 2 magnatural ledges and a driftwood so that makes 3 levels if you include the hides.

Leopard geckos do not require a bulb at all. Usually the light coming from your window is enough for them to know it's daytime and they do not require a night bulb, some people use them for night viewing not for the gecko but for themselves to see their pet.

10 gallon isnt too small because of size, it is too small because it is very difficult to get the proper temps for the hot and cool side in the 10 gallon tank.

If your gecko is not a very good hunter you can break the back legs so that they can not jump to make it easier on your leo, but in all reality the hunting is great for excersize and without practice how will your leo get better?

[sajane]

I dont have any problems with heat gradient or anything at all. I was just answering to help with adding heat without adding another uth. my geckos love to bask in their night bulb and even though bulbs are not required they can be very useful for viewing.

[Angey]

Originally Posted by sajane

I dont have any problems with heat gradient or anything at all. I was just answering to help with adding heat without adding another uth. my geckos love to bask in their night bulb and even though bulbs are not required they can be very useful for viewing.

I understand, but as she stated in the first post she would prefer to not have a light to substitute heat and was looking for another alternative.

[sajane]

no problem, thats why i just told her to use the lamp she uses for studying lol.