leopardgecko 12
New member
what kind of heating or lighting are you using????????????????//
what kind of heating are you using????????
- Thread starter leopardgecko 12
- Start date
tonyperkins203
New member
I use an under tank heating pad plugged into a thermostat set to keep the tile at approximately 89 degrees.
I also use a ceramic heating bulb overhead plugged into a separate thermostat set to keep the air temp between 83-87.
Hope this helps!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
"BASIC GUIDELINES
Habitat: Tank, Heating, & Lighting
A 20 gallon LONG tank (30 inches long x 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches; 76.2 cm x 31.75 cm x 31.75 cm) is the best choice to maintain the thermal gradient you want. Ground temperatures should range from 90-93 F/32.5-34.0 C on the warm side to 70ish F/21 C on the cool side. Air temperatures within the vivarium are just as important as belly temperatures for keeping your leo healthy! The maximum air temperature on the warm end of the tank should be no higher than 85 F/29.5 C; the maximum air temperature on the cool end should be no higher than 77 F/25 C. Turn off the overhead lighting/heating at night (12 hours on and 12 hours off.) Keep the UTH heat mat on 24/7. A 20 gallon LONG tank will make a single leopard gecko happy for life! No further upgrades will be necessary. Within a standard 10 gallon or even a 15 gallon long tank, it is impossible to maintain the necessary thermal gradient for a healthy leo.
Combine Under Tank Heating (main heat source) with overhead lighting. This combination should provide an optimal air temperature no warmer than 85 F on the warm end. Buy a 10 inch dome fixture/clamp lamp that has a ceramic socket. These are rated for 250 watts maximum. A red incandescent/infrared bulb allows you to see your leo and does provide some heat. Exo Terra's Night Glo Moonlight bulb is an option. Ceramic Heat Emitters (an alternative to red bulbs) last longer and may be more penetrating, but they only emit heat. The Under Tank Heat Mat should be 1/3 the length of your tank and nearly the same width, so you will need to "size up" and not purchase the mat that is rated for 10-20 gallon tanks. Overhead wattages vary depending upon the ambient room temperatures. Do NOT use standard white incandescent bulbs, white compact fluorescent bulbs, or fluorescent strip lighting. Those are much too bright for your leo's eyes and cause stress. Provide daylight from windows, but NEVER have the cage in the direct rays of the sun. Whether or not leopard geckos might benefit from a UVB bulb (NOT a UV strip fluorescent) is currently being researched: February 2010 article in Practical Reptile Keeping magazine.
Exo Terra's Night Glo Moonlight Bulb is a good option:
HerpSupplies.com - Night-Glo Moonlight Bulb - Exo Terra - Night-Glo Moonlight Bulb / Exo-TerraThe bulb simulates natural moonlight ...
Regarding red light bulbs:
Reptile Terrarium Lighting: Exo Terra Night Glo Moonlight Lamp
As an alternative heat source: Flexwatt Heat Tape is the industry standard heating method!
Ventilation Space for your Under Tank Heater
You will need unobstructed ventilation underneath the tank when usng any heat mat. This can be achieved by placing the tank on a wrought iron stand or by placing the small stick-on pads/"feet" that come with some UTHs on the corners of your tank. My wrought iron stand supports the periphery of the tank, but is completely open on the bottom.
Thermostats
Get a thermostat to control your UTH and to prevent accidental overheating. Plug your UTH into the thermostat and preset the temperature controls to turn off the UTH at a preset temperature---say 92 F for leos. Then plug the thermostat into the wall outlet. These are good ones: BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control, Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden, http://www.agrosun.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=3372, Herpstat 1 Proportional Thermostat - Temperature Control - The Bean Farm, or Herpstat 2 Proportional Thermostat - Herpstat Proportional - Temperature Control - The Bean Farm.
Off E-Bay: Zilla 1000 Watt Reptile Heat Temperature Controller 68022 R Zilla | eBay
If your thermostat has only one outlet and you are using multiple heating devices, plug a power strip into the thermostat's single outlet, and then plug all the devices into that strip. Do NOT exceed the maximum wattage of your power strip or thermostat!"
If you click into the Leo Guidelines, ALL these links will be activated.
Habitat: Tank, Heating, & Lighting
A 20 gallon LONG tank (30 inches long x 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches; 76.2 cm x 31.75 cm x 31.75 cm) is the best choice to maintain the thermal gradient you want. Ground temperatures should range from 90-93 F/32.5-34.0 C on the warm side to 70ish F/21 C on the cool side. Air temperatures within the vivarium are just as important as belly temperatures for keeping your leo healthy! The maximum air temperature on the warm end of the tank should be no higher than 85 F/29.5 C; the maximum air temperature on the cool end should be no higher than 77 F/25 C. Turn off the overhead lighting/heating at night (12 hours on and 12 hours off.) Keep the UTH heat mat on 24/7. A 20 gallon LONG tank will make a single leopard gecko happy for life! No further upgrades will be necessary. Within a standard 10 gallon or even a 15 gallon long tank, it is impossible to maintain the necessary thermal gradient for a healthy leo.
Combine Under Tank Heating (main heat source) with overhead lighting. This combination should provide an optimal air temperature no warmer than 85 F on the warm end. Buy a 10 inch dome fixture/clamp lamp that has a ceramic socket. These are rated for 250 watts maximum. A red incandescent/infrared bulb allows you to see your leo and does provide some heat. Exo Terra's Night Glo Moonlight bulb is an option. Ceramic Heat Emitters (an alternative to red bulbs) last longer and may be more penetrating, but they only emit heat. The Under Tank Heat Mat should be 1/3 the length of your tank and nearly the same width, so you will need to "size up" and not purchase the mat that is rated for 10-20 gallon tanks. Overhead wattages vary depending upon the ambient room temperatures. Do NOT use standard white incandescent bulbs, white compact fluorescent bulbs, or fluorescent strip lighting. Those are much too bright for your leo's eyes and cause stress. Provide daylight from windows, but NEVER have the cage in the direct rays of the sun. Whether or not leopard geckos might benefit from a UVB bulb (NOT a UV strip fluorescent) is currently being researched: February 2010 article in Practical Reptile Keeping magazine.
Exo Terra's Night Glo Moonlight Bulb is a good option:
HerpSupplies.com - Night-Glo Moonlight Bulb - Exo Terra - Night-Glo Moonlight Bulb / Exo-TerraThe bulb simulates natural moonlight ...
Regarding red light bulbs:
Reptile Terrarium Lighting: Exo Terra Night Glo Moonlight Lamp
As an alternative heat source: Flexwatt Heat Tape is the industry standard heating method!
Ventilation Space for your Under Tank Heater
You will need unobstructed ventilation underneath the tank when usng any heat mat. This can be achieved by placing the tank on a wrought iron stand or by placing the small stick-on pads/"feet" that come with some UTHs on the corners of your tank. My wrought iron stand supports the periphery of the tank, but is completely open on the bottom.
Thermostats
Get a thermostat to control your UTH and to prevent accidental overheating. Plug your UTH into the thermostat and preset the temperature controls to turn off the UTH at a preset temperature---say 92 F for leos. Then plug the thermostat into the wall outlet. These are good ones: BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control, Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden, http://www.agrosun.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=3372, Herpstat 1 Proportional Thermostat - Temperature Control - The Bean Farm, or Herpstat 2 Proportional Thermostat - Herpstat Proportional - Temperature Control - The Bean Farm.
Off E-Bay: Zilla 1000 Watt Reptile Heat Temperature Controller 68022 R Zilla | eBay
If your thermostat has only one outlet and you are using multiple heating devices, plug a power strip into the thermostat's single outlet, and then plug all the devices into that strip. Do NOT exceed the maximum wattage of your power strip or thermostat!"
If you click into the Leo Guidelines, ALL these links will be activated.
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