Thermostat with a DHP

[Staticdream6]

So I’m looking to get my leopard gecko a 50W deep heat projector and I’m not sure which kind of thermostat I should use for that?! Because I know that for a bulb you shouldn’t use an on and off one because that’s not good for the bulb. So I would love to hear how everyone uses a thermostat with their DHP. Also how should I go about daylight savings with my leopard gecko? Should I make his lights go on an hour earlier as well? Thanks for the help I’m new here!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So I’m looking to get my leopard gecko a 50W deep heat projector and I’m not sure which kind of thermostat I should use for that?! Because I know that for a bulb you shouldn’t use an on and off one because that’s not good for the bulb. So I would love to hear how everyone uses a thermostat with their DHP. Also how should I go about daylight savings with my leopard gecko? Should I make his lights go on an hour earlier as well? Thanks for the help I’m new here!

Welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

The switch to daylight savings time is no biggie. Just reset your clocks and carry on as usual. I recommend keeping your leo on your time + adding hours in Spring depending upon how many hours his light is on right now.

Click: Sunrise Sunset Daylight Hours of Pakistan -- Timebie

Click: Sunrise and Sunset Times in the World -- Timebie​

What size is your leo's enclosure?

As long as you have an adequately sized enclosure and are buying a Herpstat dimming thermostat, perhaps an 80 watt DHP is best. That will give you more flexibility in the long run.

Herpstat dimming thermostats are available in the USA.

 

[Staticdream6]

He is currently in a 20 gallon long but he will be in a 24x18x18 very soon! And what do you mean about the daylight savings! He currently had his light in from 8am to 8pm.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

He is currently in a 20 gallon long but he will be in a 24x18x18 very soon! And what do you mean about the daylight savings! He currently had his light in from 8am to 8pm.

Sorry I confused you. ON/OFF thermostats could shorten the life of your DHP. Dimming (proportional) thermostats don't have that risk, but are considerably more expensive!

Is there some chance you might upgrade to a 36 x 18 x 18 instead of a 24 x 18 x 18?

Even with a DHP it's important to have something like a 15 watt incandescent bulb overhead dimmed to half power during the day to establish day & night.

Keep your leo's light on from 8 am to 8 pm (daylight savings time). 11-12 hours ON right now is excellent! Some keepers vary light on times -- less in winter, more in summer. The Timebie links just show how daylight varies throughout the year in different countries.

I don't know whether it's better to use an 80 watt rather than a 50 watt DHP for a 24 x 18 x 18 inch enclosure. Within your 20 long: 30 x 12 x 12 there's 6 more inches to create your leo's thermal gradient. Those 6 inches may be important.

IF you kept your leo's 20 long I recommend this setup.

For link 157 click: Best practices for using UVB through mesh on a 20 gallon long enclosure: 30 x 12 x 12 inches tall . . . . . . GU's Marillion, Fran Baines DVM, & Elizabeth Freer -- March 2021 (update)​