Heating In The Viv

[Olievertraiqn]

Hey guys.

I'm looking into buying a ceramic heat emitter, but I don't know what wattage I should get.

Some info about the viv: it's a ten gal. and it already has a UTH. The substrate is paper towel.

I don't have a thermometer with a probe or any way to measure the temperature of the substrate (which I really should have, I know! I bought the wrong kind of thermometer before I got my gecko and I haven't been able to get to the store to buy a proper one yet). However, the one I have sticking to the glass says it's basically around 80 f on the warm side. Of course it's warmer on the actual ground, but I'm not sure by how much.

Whether or not the substrate is warm enough I still want to make the air temperature a little warmer especially since it's starting to get colder where I am.

So, I want to get something else to provide more heat. I thought about getting some form of light/lamp. I'm aware that they're nocturnal, so I'd get a blue or red lamp, but I don't know if that produces any light at all? If it does then I'd prefer to get that since I probably don't need too much more heat.

However, if they don't produce any heat then I want to get a ceramic heat emitter. Does anyone know what the lowest wattage you could get is? Also, how much it would change the temperature? This question isn't as big of a deal, but if there's any chance that anyone from Canada reads this, do you have an estimate on the price?

Thanks so much for reading this and for any advice I get!

 

[AnthonyRenna]

Start with a thermometer, it would be best if you got that a thermostat/rheostat and then if you really want that heat get a 60`w a ten gallon is small

 

[Olievertraiqn]

Okay, thanks.

And as for ten gallon being small, I'm getting him a 20 long when he's older. He's only three months old now, so he's still just a little baby.

 

[senaslaughter]

Okay, thanks.

And as for ten gallon being small, I'm getting him a 20 long when he's older. He's only three months old now, so he's still just a little baby.

I'm no expert by a long shot, but I can tell you this much, I just went from a ten gallon with my baby I just got last week to a 20 long this week, and she is so much happier with the extra room. It seems easier to maintain heat levels in it as well, I don't know why, but it is. Also, it isn't as crowded and I was able to add a third hide in it. I also ditched the repto-carpet and put slate tile in it. She loves it, and the UTH heats the tiles just right for her to bask to her hearts desire! Just saying you should consider buying the 20 long sooner than later if you can afford it at all. You won't regret it.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

That's the plan!

I only just turned sixteen a week ago, so I'm not exactly the wealthiest person you'll ever meet. I also live in a small town so it's hard for me to find a job. I am working on it though! So once I get a job I'm going to upgrade the viv as soon as possible.

With that being said; because I'm pretty well close to broke (okay.. take out pretty well close to ), I really want to find the cheapest solutions that can at least make do until I have the money to buy Oliver the best supplies. What do you think would be the cheapest way to up the air temps. in his viv a little? When I say a little I mean about 5 degrees more, so really small.

 

[AnthonyRenna]

I'm no expert by a long shot, but I can tell you this much, I just went from a ten gallon with my baby I just got last week to a 20 long this week, and she is so much happier with the extra room. It seems easier to maintain heat levels in it as well, I don't know why, but it is. Also, it isn't as crowded and I was able to add a third hide in it. I also ditched the repto-carpet and put slate tile in it. She loves it, and the UTH heats the tiles just right for her to bask to her hearts desire! Just saying you should consider buying the 20 long sooner than later if you can afford it at all. You won't regret it.

I did the exact same baby to a 20l with slate tile she's so much more active. The biggest thing though is get a thermostat/rheostat should your heatpad go over what you set it it'll turn off if it malfunctions it goes off instead of cooking your gecko, its truely set it and forget it especially in a bigger tank.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

With the 20 gallon will come a good thermostat and a bigger heat mat.

On the topic of heat pads! What brands are you guys using? I'm using a Zilla I believe, and I don't think it's as hot as it should be (thus making me make this post). And if you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

 

[senaslaughter]

With the 20 gallon will come a good thermostat and a bigger heat mat.

On the topic of heat pads! What brands are you guys using? I'm using a Zilla I believe, and I don't think it's as hot as it should be (thus making me make this post). And if you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

I just bought this one on Amazon.com ...
Delivery estimate: Mar. 2, 2012 - Mar. 7, 2012
1 "Zoo Med ReptiTemp 500R Remote Sensor Thermostat"
Misc.; $28.35
In Stock
The only sucky part is I have to wait for delivery, but I do have a digital thermometer I check the bottom of the tank temps with it regularly, but it will be a relief to get the other. On Amazon.com I got free shipping too.

 

[senaslaughter]

That's the plan!

I only just turned sixteen a week ago, so I'm not exactly the wealthiest person you'll ever meet. I also live in a small town so it's hard for me to find a job. I am working on it though! So once I get a job I'm going to upgrade the viv as soon as possible.

With that being said; because I'm pretty well close to broke (okay.. take out pretty well close to ), I really want to find the cheapest solutions that can at least make do until I have the money to buy Oliver the best supplies. What do you think would be the cheapest way to up the air temps. in his viv a little? When I say a little I mean about 5 degrees more, so really small.

I'm sorry. I know how it is to be young and out of a job. I remember my son wanting to work so bad when he was a teenager, and it was tough back then. I know it is really a lot harder to get a job now. Hopefully you will find one though. I don't know how to raise the air temp up...I was having the same problem in my ten gallon, more so at night than in the day. That was the main reason I bought the bigger tank. I got mine at PetsMart for 30 dollars, and probably could have beat that price if I had of shopped around, but being slightly spontaneous, and more than a little impatient, I don't always get the better deal.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

It's alright, it's just teaching me a lesson that would be better to learn sooner rather than later.

Okay, well I'm thinking I'll just get a red light until I get a 20 gallon. As for now, Oliver doesn't seem terribly upset with his current viv (with him being so small), but yes I know I should really get on buying a bigger viv.

 

[senaslaughter]

It's alright, it's just teaching me a lesson that would be better to learn sooner rather than later.

Okay, well I'm thinking I'll just get a red light until I get a 20 gallon. As for now, Oliver doesn't seem terribly upest with his current viv (with him being so small), but yes I know I should really get on buying a bigger viv.

The red light will help. Just put it as far to one side of the tank as possible and keep an eye on the temp. You don't want it to get too hot either. Good luck!

 

[Olievertraiqn]

Okay, thank you!

I do have another question for anyone with (or just with the knowledge of) a red light. How do I use the light? What I mean by that is; how do I put it on the tank? I know there are the lamp things (wow.. that's wonderful terminology, I'm sorry! :blushing that can clamp on to the tank, do I use that? And also, would a regular lamp that clamps on (with the red bulb of course) work? I have one that I never use anymore, but I don't know if it would wreck the bulb or the lamp if I put the red bulb in there.

Sorry to anyone reading that, that's probably pretty hard to understand. I'm still learning all the terminology for the reptile world. (For example, I didn't know what a UTH was until a week or two before I got my gecko. I also didn't know what CHE stood for until yesterday. :shock

 

[senaslaughter]

Okay, thank you!

I do have another question for anyone with (or just with the knowledge of) a red light. How do I use the light? What I mean by that is; how do I put it on the tank? I know there are the lamp things (wow.. that's wonderful terminology, I'm sorry! :blushing that can clamp on to the tank, do I use that? And also, would a regular lamp that clamps on (with the red bulb of course) work? I have one that I never use anymore, but I don't know if it would wreck the bulb or the lamp if I put the red bulb in there.

Sorry to anyone reading that, that's probably pretty hard to understand. I'm still learning all the terminology for the reptile world. (For example, I didn't know what a UTH was until a week or two before I got my gecko. I also didn't know what CHE stood for until yesterday. :shock

Well I'm certainly no expert, I just got my first little Leopard Gecko a couple of weeks ago, but I would put the red light (It is an infrared light right?) in a lamp you can put directly on top of the screen as far to one side of the tank as possible. That will provide him with a warm place to bask. I don't know about using a standard kind of lamp, but I don't think it would be wise, because the infrared light might get too hot for it. I think you have to have the kind of lamp made with porcelain fixtures to prevent fire. I do know that you have to make sure you don't get a higher watt light bulb than what the lamp requires. For instance, mine can only take a 75 watt bulb or lower. I use a 60 watt bulb. I use a Blue bulb for daytime and a infrared at night. I hope this helps you.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

I haven't bought the light yet, I just want to make sure that I know what I'm doing before I go fry my gecko or something! :shock:

So are you saying that I should get an infrared light? Are there regular red lights that produce heat?

Also, is there a specific reason you use two different colored lights? I don't want to use red all the time and end up hurting him in some way.

It does, thank you so much!

 

[senaslaughter]

I haven't bought the light yet, I just want to make sure that I know what I'm doing before I go fry my gecko or something! :shock:

So are you saying that I should get an infrared light? Are there regular red lights that produce heat?

Also, is there a specific reason you use two different colored lights? I don't want to use red all the time and end up hurting him in some way.

It does, thank you so much!

I don't know if it will hurt him to use just the infrared light all the time or not. I really wish someone more eligible to answer this question for you would. Read the care sheet that is on here. It explains pretty much everything way better than I can, of that I'm sure. Remember, I've only had my little Gecko about two weeks. I've never had any other kind of lizard, so I'm learning just like you. The reason I use a blue light in the day is basically to see him better I guess. You can buy the lights at the pet store, they come in a package of two, one for the day and one for the night. Also ask them at the pet store what lamp they recommend you buy to use with the lights. There are just plain red light bulbs that probably wouldn't be best for a lizard. Make sure you get what he needs. If you can't get your answers on here, ask at your local pet store. Please read the care sheet here first though, it will help you better than anything else.

 

[KaitS.]

Okay, first of all some of this may be a little different for you because you live in Canada so just go with me here lol. But I think if you only need about a 5 degree temp change a red light from the pet store will be just fine. They aren't very expensive over here. I can get a combo pack with a red and blue light at the pet store for like $6. I don't know how much they differ in price over there but I doubt they vary much. And the light holders you are talking about are called clamp lights and they clamp to the top edge of the leos container. You can buy them here from pet stores and they are made to go with either a CHE or a bulb. I have 2 different setups so forgive me if this message gets long but I think you will want to hear both since I have the setup you currently have as far as size and I also have a 20L. The 10g I have holds my new baby leo an all I use for heat are the blue and red bulbs held by a clamp light I got from the pet store. The heat in my house is good so thats all I need for the little one. My adult male however is in a 20L and his source of heat is a CHE held by a clamp light I bought for $5 at Walmart. I haven't noticed a difference in the effectiveness of the clamps except that I payed $5 for one and like $13 for the other one lol. So I'm all for getting a cheap clamp from Walmart. The CHE are a little pricy (Around $30 here) which is a turn off for some but I feel you can't beat them in long term use and after you replace bulbs on and off and have to change out the colors depending on the time of day and have to deal with hot bulbs and trying to get the right temps...blah blah blah, I feel like why not do yourself and your gecko a favor and just get the CHE lol. I understand you are on a budget, definitely, but when you move up to a 20L I say go for it and get your CHE. My CHE keeps my temps perfect with only about a degree or two in fluctuation.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

Okay, I will definitely go get the red/blue bulbs.

Awesome that Walmart has cheap clamps, for some reason I was under the impression they were about $20 a piece, which is why I wasn't sure if I should get the bulbs or just get a CHE. I only need the five or so degrees though, so I'll stick with the bulbs until I get the 20 gallon.

Thanks so much for everything guys! It really helped.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

Also, does it matter if I use the red during the day? Or do I have to use the blue one during the day?

 

[KaitS.]

The blue is brighter and is used during the day. The red is for night. And people say that they can't see red light, but I came across a study that was done on leopard gecko irises that proved they could actually see it. But hey, when the moons out at night there is going to be some light anyway. I really don't think the red light bothers them at all.

 

[Olievertraiqn]

Okay, awesome, thank you.

Is there a certain watt you'd suggest? I was thinking 50, but I don't know if that's too little.