Just got a leopard gecko on Sunday-we bought an undertank heater for him. We have a 20 gallon long tank and this heater says for a 10-20 gallon long. Anyway-the thermostat in the tank reads 75 and everything I have read says the tank should be 80 to 85. Or, is that just what the substrate should be? I am worried he wont be warm enough-suggestions?
Heating question
- Thread starter Nishi621
- Start date
sheenaschlytter
New member
the ground needs to be 85 but the warm side of your tank needs to be warmer too buy a red heat light at about 50 or 75 watts that will take care of the problem thats what i have on my tank that size
Aren't those dangerous? Not arguing-just wondering. I bought a UVb bulb and that is on all the time-I really can't have a latch on type light bulb hanging over the tank due to the fact that I have small children and a cat here-are there bulbs like that that will fit into an aquarium bulb light fixture?
Are you measuring the temperature of the tank on the side or in the air, or are you measuring it on the bottom of the tank? If you have one of those stick-on thermometers then you're measuring the temp on the side. It's the bottom of the tank that needs to be about 90-92. Frequently the heat pads get too hot, actually. You will do best to get a digital thermometer with a probe that you can put on the bottom of the cage on the hot side. That is more important than the air temperature as long as you heat your house "normally" in the winter (say 62-68 degrees).
Substrate --there are many choices of non-particle substrate including repti-carpet, ceramic tile, newspaper, paper towel. Many people (me included) feel that sand and other particles are dangerous substrates for leopard geckos but there are others who disagree. In my opinion, better safe than sorry.
ALiza
Substrate --there are many choices of non-particle substrate including repti-carpet, ceramic tile, newspaper, paper towel. Many people (me included) feel that sand and other particles are dangerous substrates for leopard geckos but there are others who disagree. In my opinion, better safe than sorry.
ALiza
I have one of those stick on thermometers up on the back top of the tank. the under tank heater is on the bottom of the tank on the right hand side of the tank when looking at it and the stick on thermometer is up high on the glass in the rear right of the tank. So-it is probably not giving an accurate reading then-right? There is a probe thermometer I can buy that will tell me the temp of the substrate-and, that is what I should really be worried about-not so much the temp of the entire tank?
i was thinking if I needed to bring up the temp of the tank-that I could buy another under tank heater and stick it on the side or the back of the tank-but, perhaps that isn't necessary?
i was thinking if I needed to bring up the temp of the tank-that I could buy another under tank heater and stick it on the side or the back of the tank-but, perhaps that isn't necessary?
sheenaschlytter
New member
oh no a red heat lamp has no uvb rays they are made for nocturnal geckos they are not strip lights they are basking lights
K-I googled them and saw what they look like. I would have to get a bulb and a lamp to hold it in and the lamp would have to clip onto the side of the tank-too dangerous for me. A kid or cat will touch it or knock into it-there must be another way to raise the temp of the tank!
Your temperature should be in the low 90's on the floor of the tank. Unless you have an unusually cold house, you shouldn't need additional heat besides what you heat your own house with. While some people have reported improved husbandry by using UV lights with leopard geckos, they are nocturnal so I don't think they absolutely need them. I maintain my 12 leopard geckos plus hatchlings in the summer on belly heat alone. If you measure the temp on the floor and it is adequate you're probably fine.
Aliza
Aliza
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
Your questions about heating, substrate, and lighting are all often asked and the answers often disputed. I suggest that you read through the many posts that already exist and make an educated decision for yourself as there are many ups and downs to different methods and opinions.