Should I get a ceramic heat emitter for my leo?

buppiboyo12

New member
Hi all,

I've recently noticed that it is a bit colder in my room. I recently located my leopard gecko to a new spot in my room. However, it is under a window, but I put a blanket over the top of his enclosure to prevent draft. He used to be high up on a dresser, he is now on the floor. My room usually floats around 72 degrees, but this morning it was roughly 62 degrees. I know heat rises, so I'm wondering if a ceramic heat emitter would be a good call for him? And if so, what wattage? He is in a 20 gallon long enclosure if that helps.

Thanks :)
 

lizardmom

New member
We use a 60 watt for my daughter's leopard gecko in a 20 gallon long and it keeps the air temp up to 78-80 on the hot side. Our house is set at 68 at night and 72 during the day. I am using one on my juvenile right now who is in a 10 gallon and i have to elevate the 60 watt about 8 inches off the top to keep the correct temp.
 

acpart

Well-known member
Just be sure that the heat emitter isn't making the air so hot and dry that the gecko is getting dehydrated. I'm in New England and daytime temperatures in the house are in the mid 60'sF. Everyone is fine.

Aliza
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I use Petsmart's brand CHEs: All Living Things. I've found Exo Terra CHEs to be poor. One CHE did not heat at all and a second Exo Terra put out inadequate heat for the wattage.

Zoo Med is the only manufacturer I know of that makes 25 watt CHEs.
 

buppiboyo12

New member
So my room doesn't drop below 60 degrees, but like I said theres a draft under the window where my Leo is currently located. So should I get one? Or will he be fine?
 

Reptilelady

Member
So my room doesn't drop below 60 degrees, but like I said theres a draft under the window where my Leo is currently located. So should I get one? Or will he be fine?

I would get a small wattage CHE like from ZooMed, that should help. I have my Leo next to the window so she has a bit of a draft as well. Keeping a CHE will help with the night time temperatures up.
 

buppiboyo12

New member
I would get a small wattage CHE like from ZooMed, that should help. I have my Leo next to the window so she has a bit of a draft as well. Keeping a CHE will help with the night time temperatures up.

Okay, does it have to be zoomed? They have cheaper ones with good reviews on Amazon as compared to the larger brand ones (zoomed, exoterra, etc.) Can I get the one on Amazon instead? Also what wattage do you use?
 

Reptilelady

Member
No, it does not have to be ZooMed Brand but zoomed's only one that has the nano size version. It really depends on how big your terrarium is. How many gallons? width x lengthx depth exactly? I have a couple of CHE's.. i had a 60w exo terra but they hardly produce enough heat and not really reliable so to speak. The only thing I do like about the Exo Terra is they roughly give an estimate on the distance for each wattage bulb. I have bought some on Amazon the cheaper no brand ones but they came with this clicking sound when turned on so that highly annoyed me so I couldnt stand it and I returned it ha ha. So really, it all depends on how cold your room is, i have a thermometer that records 24 hour period so that lets me know how cold it really gets so thats useful. Also, I have a heat mat plugged into a thermostat so thats controlled as well. I cannot say a 50w would work vs 75w. Really just have to play around with wattages and see which one works best.
 

Reptilelady

Member
I think for a 20 gallon size tank , you should be fine with a 40w-75w... anywhere from there. Each brand will be better than others, for example. If you go with the exo terra might want to get a higher wattage bulb lol
 

buppiboyo12

New member
It really depends on how big your terrarium is. How many gallons? width x lengthx depth exactly?

Currently, my Leo, Alan, is in a 20 gallon long tank, 30x12x12.

My room is usually around 62 at its coldest (which is currently right now), and around room temperature (72 degrees) most of the time.
 
Top