update on leo habitat/substrate..still a little worried

Cofinator · #1 01-17-2012, 11:55 PM

Hey guys I just want to start out by saying thank you for all the information it really helped me get my guys situated. So i got a 20 gallon long tank with slate tile on the bottom and the UTH. Got a thermometer and the humidity gauge. See picture below and tell me if I did a good job. I hope I did.

I stuck a probe thermometer in between one of the cracks in the tile and it read close to 92.5... but my air temperature is very low around 75-80 on the hot side and 30% humidity! Im ordering a thermostat for the UTH but still dont know what to do about the temp/humidity. Like i said before my room is in my basement so it gets chilly down here and i doubt the tiles are close to 92.5 being i got the reading between the tiles and not the surface.

Please help because Im spending all this money and still feel like im 3 or 4 things away from having them all set up still and im not exactly the most wealthy guy in the world. its just annoying, but im cool with it if i dont ever have to go through all this again lol.

Thanks again all.- Elvis and the other TBD named gecko say thank you as well

Cofinator · #2 01-17-2012, 11:56 PM

still do not know why my pictures are upside down but my apologies.

Yoshi'smom · #3 01-18-2012, 07:54 AM

Your set up looks like it is perfect for you leo's. Nice job!
About the temps: I would also get a CHE to bump up those air temps in the tank since your basement is cooler. CHE's give off heat without giving off light so it won't be stressful on your geckos eyes. I'm surprised that you're not getting a little warmer temps with your infrared heat bulb....
Another tip to help keep in humidity and warm air is to wrap some plastic wrap around part of the screen lid. I do this with one of my leo's tanks that has trouble staying a little warm. Just be sure not to put the heat bulb near the plastic so that it doesn't melt.

Nativeson · #4 01-18-2012, 10:06 AM

It's looking good! Glad to see it coming together for you. Are you using those analog gauges to get the air/humidity readings? Those are notoriously inaccurate! I would think with the light it would be a little more than that, but maybe not!! Like Kelly said...maybe switch to a CHE instead of the red bulb and plug it in to your thermostat when you get it?

Doesn't seem like your too far off...just some fine tuning!!!

Patrick

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Cofinator · #5 01-18-2012, 11:18 AM

You Guys rock thank you. CHE(ceramic heating element?) not too familiar with all of the lingo yet lol an I just bought those two because I wanted an idea of what it was like in there and they were inexpensive. What thermometers should I get / humidity gauges and should I get two sets one for the cool side and the heat side or is the one on the cool side just overkill if I were to get it?

Nativeson · #6 01-18-2012, 12:03 PM

You got it!! Yeah..Ceramic Heat Element...should help you knock out the basement chill!!

Flukers makes a dual digital thermometer/ hygrometer that's about $20. I would just have one in the cage on the hot side. You could get a temp "gun" to do some spot checking. Those are available on most herp websites without breaking the bank!!

You should have some happy leos soon. Give them a week or so to adjust and they should come around and accept being handled. Make sure they're eating well and start slow!!! Very glad to see its going good for you!!

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**Riverside Reptiles** · #7 01-18-2012, 12:57 PM

I agree that a CHE would help a lot with your temps. And you can plug both your CHE and UTH into the thermostat and it'll control them both. For thermostats, here's a couple of inexpensive examples:
Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden

BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control

and here's some CHE: Reptile Ceramic Heat Emitters, Heating Elements and Bulbs

Cofinator · #8 01-19-2012, 11:05 PM

ok my thermostat is on the way and I bought a CHE for them so i just need the thermostat it get the temp up just a bit im getting around 83 degrees but thats on the cheap thermometers so i think they will be ok untill it comes.... my little guy however is not gaining weight like my other one however..... he opens just one eye except for when i try to get him out of the way when i clean up there poops then he opens both... I think the little one is just stressed out/not eating...really hope she makes it but Is it possible that the other one is just too dominate? Thought about hand heeding her with tongs in a couple of days just to make sure she is eating ....or any other suggestions

**Elizabeth Freer** · #9 01-20-2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cofinator

ok my thermostat is on the way and I bought a CHE for them so i just need the thermostat it get the temp up just a bit im getting around 83 degrees but thats on the cheap thermometers so i think they will be ok untill it comes.... my little guy however is not gaining weight like my other one however..... he opens just one eye except for when i try to get him out of the way when i clean up there poops then he opens both... I think the little one is just stressed out/not eating...really hope she makes it but Is it possible that the other one is just too dominate? Thought about hand heeding her with tongs in a couple of days just to make sure she is eating ....or any other suggestions

Leos need belly and air heat to properly digest their food. 83 F is way too cool. I would not worry about the humidity. Leos hail from a dry climate. Those circle dial-type thermometers can sometimes be quite inaccurate. Get a digital thermometer from Radio Shack.

By the way, does your UTH take up 1/3 the length of your tank and nearly the total width? You really need the UTH sized for 20-30 gallon tanks when you are heating a 20 gallon long.

If your UTH is the proper size, you might also consider a red bulb. That enables you to view your leo at night and would also provide more heat.

Cofinator · #10 01-20-2012, 02:46 AM

i believe i have the proper size uth I think my thermometers are just inaccurate and i don't have a great thermometer or digital to get the real readings in there. Im still very worried about the other gecko should I hand feed her or just hook up my old 10 gallon tank and seperate them for now. im afraid that if i seperate them that they wont get along later or what not