Crested gecko temps!

[Seannygoat]

Hi everyone, I've just set up my first exit terra for my first crested gecko.

Just wondered if you guys could help me with my temperatures?

I have 25 degrees c on one side and 20 degrees c on the other. ish! And down to 14 at night. Do these sound okay or should I get more heat in their?

 

[Aimless]

your daytime temps are OK, as long as he's not under ~22 too often. your nighttime temps are a little on the cold side. can you give him a low-watt ceramic heat emitter (CHE)?

 

[Seannygoat]

Without sounding silly, where would that go on my exo terra? And how often would I need it on? Would I need a habistat? Sorry I'm new to this! Lol

 

[Aimless]

you would use a ceramic fixture and place it on top of the screen. you would want to be careful to place it in such a way that you don't melt any plastic. this setup would boost all temps 3-6 degrees; you would want to monitor the temperatures to ensure they're not too hot. how are you monitoring temps now?

this is the bulb I mean

this is an appropriate fixture

this is a great, cheap way to monitor the temps

I would not put such a thing on a thermostat as long as you can check it a few times a day for awhile, to establish that the gradient is correct. I'd do a spot-check on whatever's just beneath the bulb in his cage, and then somewhere farthest away, to get an idea of the temperature gradient inside.

and of course, you don't have to get these things from the Beanfarm. you can sometimes get supplies cheaper from Big Apple Herp, or LLL Reptiles, or elsewhere on the web if you look around.

 

[Seannygoat]

i have two digital thermometers, one in the top right corner and one in the bottom left corner. I have a gradient of about 4 degrees between the two.

What about a small heat mat on the side of the tank instead?

 

[Aimless]

I personally don't like those, as I feel that to make a significant difference in temp through the cage it has to be really effing hot on the glass next to it, while the cool end of the cage may still be too cool.

however, many people use that method and think it's great, so it's up to you. there's more than one way to skin a cat

 

[aquamentus_11]

I personally don't like those, as I feel that to make a significant difference in temp through the cage it has to be really effing hot on the glass next to it, while the cool end of the cage may still be too cool.

however, many people use that method and think it's great, so it's up to you. there's more than one way to skin a cat

Ive also never had success with a side mounted heat mat for the exact reason. The bulb will tend to lower your humidity so keep that in mind

 

[WildWildMidwest]

We love our Scottish Ultratherm under-tank heaters. They don't develop hot spots like the more commonly sold brand here in the U.S. and they're priced about the same. As aquamentus said lamps dry out your terrarium -- so maybe use a heat lamp + rheostat for summer humidity control and an UTH +/- heat lamp-rheostat for winter warmth, or move your terrarium to a warmer location.