Leopard gecko heating ?'s

[gizmo143]

I just got my leopard gecko Gizmo a 20 gal. tank with tiles for substrate and 3 awesome hides. I have a daytime light that doesn't add much heat and the 10 gallon heat pad. i've switched heat sources so many times it's ridiculous(red bulbs, bought a basking bulb that never was used, just the pad) the pad didn't seem to caover that much of the tank so an hour later i checked the temp. and it was about 86 on the hot side instead of the low 90's and the cold side was about 70. i added the red bulb along with the daytime bulb and it hasn't heated up much. the heat pads I've looked at all say 10-20 but it just seems to small and i don't want to get one thats too big.HELP!:?

p.s. I wasn't sure where to put this post so sorry if it's in the wrong place;-)

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Just checking: Is Gizmo's new tank a 20 gallon LONG? That will be great for him for life.

I use a 60 watt red bulb on a Lutron dimmer for Cha's 20 gallon long tank. The dimmer is NOT at maximum power. That is all I use. Temps range between 70 F to about 90 F during the days. Room temp is 70 F days and 67 F nights which translates to no cooler than 65 F nights and 90 F days right under the bulb. All tank temperatures mentioned are ground temperatures measured just 3-5 inches from her warm hide ;-).

Ceramic heat emitters can also be used. These come in strengths from 30 watts up. White light bothers the leopard's eyes.

Cha is about 10 years old.

 

[gizmo143]

yeah... it was a christmas present and I'm so happy with it's size! the only sizes i can seem to find for heating pads are the small (10-20) the medium (30-40) and the large (50-60) but the one he has from the 10 gal. is too small and doesn't heat enough of the tank... i have the 2 bulbs ( daytime and red) but the hot side is still in the 86 range

 

[gizmo143]

Can ANYONE help?!;-)
I have a daytime light and a red one along with the tiny heat pad and it was perfect but then went up to like 97 so i turned off the white light and it is only 86... UGH!:?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Use a red light bulb or a ceramic heat emitter plugged into a Lutron dimmer to fine tune the temperature. You can buy the dimmers at Lowe's Home Improvement stores. Don't use any white light source if you want to see your pet more often!

Please read here for more info: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ntly-asked-questions-caresheet-info-plus.html

 

[gizmo143]

I have thought about using the red bulb alone but everyone else, and the caresheet says that they need belly heat.

 

[Allee Toler]

If you use slate tile, the tile will absorb and distribute the heat to act as belly heat.

In the wild the sun heats rocks, then they lay on the rocks.

 

[gizmo143]

The red bulb I'm using now with tile and the heat pad is only getting the hottest spot up to about 87... (not trying to be negative, just full of questions)

 

[Allee Toler]

Get a higher watt bulb. You can take back the lower watt one if you kept the receipt and it's under their policy.

 

[gizmo143]

I think thats what I'll do:biggrin:
later, I think I might post some pics of he new terrarium setup in his 20 gallon tank

 

[Sinosauropteryx]

Temperature fluctuations

If you don't want to add a thermostat(?) or a dimmer, try switching the red bulb off when it gets too hot in the basking area or in other parts of the tank. Temperatures in your room may be changing and that could be responsible for the fluctuations in your gecko's tank. Bulbs work primarily for air temperature so they work relative to ambient air temperature in the rest of the room. If you were to turn off your infra-red bulb, your daytime bulb will work alone as basking heat when temperatures get hotter. Besides, as nocturnal as they are, I think your leopard gecko is only going to care about the temperatures at night. It may not matter if the daytime temperatures get a little bit lower than normal as long as it is warm at night.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

More info

Just thought of this. The UTHs are probably rated for typical tanks. The 20 gallon long tank you have is basically the same length as a 30 gallon "regular" tank. Graham suggests covering about 1/3 of the tank with the UTH, if that's the route you take. (There is more than one way to heat a leo cage...not just the right way or the wrong way ;-).)

Digital thermometers right at ground level are the most accurate...Radio Shack or Taylor.

Look forward to seeing your updated pics.

 

[gizmo143]

I am almost positive that I'll mess around with the light some more, and look into the 30 gal. heat pad. tomorrow I might have time to get some pics online!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I am almost positive that I'll mess around with the light some more, and look into the 30 gal. heat pad. tomorrow I might have time to get some pics online!

Nice to hear that. "Messing around" with gecko stuff feels good ;-). Perhaps you can return the 10-20 gallon heat mat if it is the same pet store? Probably need some kind of thermostat to regulate the temps. Do you have the tank elevated somewhat off a stand? Need that space for air circulation if you use an UTH!

Consider in the wild that the warm rocks cool at night.

 

[gizmo143]

I used to have Gizmo in a 10 gallon tank so the heat pad is old and can't be returned. I have one of those fancy infared thermometers that you just point at the object and it tells you the temp. of course with my luck, the tank is ok in temps one hour, then to hot, then to cold so I'm just gonna get the heat mat and stop worrying;-)

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Lucky you to own an infrared thermometer ! My friend's infrared was really helpful when I moved with geckos in the van. Just point and read!!!

 

[Allee Toler]

I used to have Gizmo in a 10 gallon tank so the heat pad is old and can't be returned. I have one of those fancy infared thermometers that you just point at the object and it tells you the temp. of course with my luck, the tank is ok in temps one hour, then to hot, then to cold so I'm just gonna get the heat mat and stop worrying;-)

This can happen with a UTH as well. That's why thermostats are always recommended.

 

[Sinosauropteryx]

Exo-terra heat mats

Perhaps you can return the 10-20 gallon heat mat if it is the same pet store?

If this is an Exo-terra heat mat we're talking about, the pet store probably won't take it back or return it. Those heat mats stick right on to the bottom of the tank, and from my understanding, once you take them off, they can't really be stuck back on.

Of course, if they can, that would be awesome because I have an old heat mat that isn't attached to anything right now but I would love to re-attach it again (albeit to a different tank).

 

[Allee Toler]

Of course, if they can, that would be awesome because I have an old heat mat that isn't attached to anything right now but I would love to re-attach it again (albeit to a different tank).

A little off topic, but pertinent to UTH's. --> You can purchase foil tape (aluminum tape) and use it to adhere the UTH to a new tank safely and securely. I use this foil for my heat tape, UTH's, and heat cord.

 

[Sinosauropteryx]

Re-using heat mats

A little off topic, but pertinent to UTH's. --> You can purchase foil tape (aluminum tape) and use it to adhere the UTH to a new tank safely and securely. I use this foil for my heat tape, UTH's, and heat cord.

Awesome :yahoo: