encloser
- Thread starter bouncer36
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Your enclosure looks nice. However, in a vertically-oriented enclosure such as this new tank, how will you maintain a thermal gradient?
Was the former tank a 20 gallon LONG: 30 x 12 x 12 inches?
If you toss in the feeders and do not use a feeding dish, the space under the uneven tiles will be ideal hiding places for crickets.
Was the former tank a 20 gallon LONG: 30 x 12 x 12 inches?
If you toss in the feeders and do not use a feeding dish, the space under the uneven tiles will be ideal hiding places for crickets.
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no it was a 20gallon tall wasn't a 20gallon long and know about how the it will be ideal hiding place for crickets tueday im going to go buy different size tile to put there to take place of the ones there. the warm side was up to 87 when i left for church and the cool side was 80 i came home and the light were off so have to wait to see if the temp is going to be right when i come home tuesday . in the tall tank it was warm side was 95 and cool side was 80 do they have to have a che or uth i was using a red infered light at night until i saw on here that it would hurt their eyes i used that red light for 2 years do they need uvb light
i was using one on the other tank but the bulb burnt out
i was using one on the other tank but the bulb burnt out
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I am not sure that you'll be able to maintain these temperatures in that tank :sad: It is more for arboreal species. Recommend getting a different gecko for that tank and a 20 gallon LONG for your leo. I like front doors too. Exo Terra has a 36 x 18 x 12 inch tank that is PERFECT!
Your cool side is too warm.
Daytime temperatures for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 (or 77) F (24.5) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end
One online place that sells CHEs and UTHs is the Bean Farm. Consider buying an Exo Terra Night Glo moonlight bulb. A CHE emits only heat.
From Amazon you can get one or two Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostats for about $35 each.
For many details click on the Leopard Gecko Caresheet linked right below in my signature.
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I used to have this exact same tank.. And a good temp gradient (floor and ground) is near impossible to maintain in it... My gecko was generally "unhappy" in it (by this, I mean I never saw him outside of his hides, so he wasn't very active)...
Once I got my 20 gal long (29.5 inches long x 11.75iches wide) it was like he was a new gecko, he came out much more and was a lot more active..
If you live in Canada then you can get a cheap 20 gallon long off of Kijiji, or a fish tank works the same.. That is what I got.
Once I got my 20 gal long (29.5 inches long x 11.75iches wide) it was like he was a new gecko, he came out much more and was a lot more active..
If you live in Canada then you can get a cheap 20 gallon long off of Kijiji, or a fish tank works the same.. That is what I got.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
What type of lighting is housed in the fixture above the tank? Have you tried establishing a diagonal gradient?
how do you do that
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Diagonal thermal gradient:
Reason I suggest trying is that one can get a greater separation between the warm end and the cool end of a tank of these dimensions by using the diagonal. For instance: Make the front right corner the warm "end" and the back left corner the "cool" end.
Are you dusting with ANY supplement which contains vitamin D3 in addition to using the UVB light? If so, not a good idea. Too much D3.
A tube fluorescent UVB? What brand and strength?
Reason I suggest trying is that one can get a greater separation between the warm end and the cool end of a tank of these dimensions by using the diagonal. For instance: Make the front right corner the warm "end" and the back left corner the "cool" end.
Are you dusting with ANY supplement which contains vitamin D3 in addition to using the UVB light? If so, not a good idea. Too much D3.
A tube fluorescent UVB? What brand and strength?
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Yes just the calicium without d3
It is a reptileglo 10.0
Yes I'm trying I set her tank from the front left corner is the cool side and back right corner is the warmside. The temp right now is 95.0 and the coolside is 78.0 I have a fan sitting on the floor blowing on that coolside to see if that works and it has dropped from 79 to 78 will that hurt her the fan? It not in her tank.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
This Repti-Glo 10.0 bulb: Amazon.com: repti-glo?
I have no experience using UVB with leos. Have heard one needs a large tank---larger than what you picture, so the leo would have the chance to escape the UVB rays. Also have heard that the UVB tube fluorescents (ie Reptisuns) are more reliable than bulbs. At any rate, without a UVB meter (and those cost from $200-$300) some recommend to change out the tubes every 6-12 months.
Fans are noisy. Fans dry out stuff and would lead to drier conditions in the tank :sad:. All roads lead to the purchase of a thermostat. Amazon has the Hydrofarm MTPRTCs on sale right now for $30. A thermostat will keep the UTH (or a heat lamp such as a Ceramic Heat Emitter) at a constant temperature and minimize the risk of house fires from potentially overheating.
The tall tank you show is designed for arboreal geckos. PetCo has $1 per gallon sales every once in awhile.
I have no experience using UVB with leos. Have heard one needs a large tank---larger than what you picture, so the leo would have the chance to escape the UVB rays. Also have heard that the UVB tube fluorescents (ie Reptisuns) are more reliable than bulbs. At any rate, without a UVB meter (and those cost from $200-$300) some recommend to change out the tubes every 6-12 months.
Fans are noisy. Fans dry out stuff and would lead to drier conditions in the tank :sad:. All roads lead to the purchase of a thermostat. Amazon has the Hydrofarm MTPRTCs on sale right now for $30. A thermostat will keep the UTH (or a heat lamp such as a Ceramic Heat Emitter) at a constant temperature and minimize the risk of house fires from potentially overheating.
The tall tank you show is designed for arboreal geckos. PetCo has $1 per gallon sales every once in awhile.
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Well I know I'm going get another tank but I can't afford it at the moment this will have to do for now until next month the tank I'm getting cost $169.00 so it going to wait as long as I can keep the temp right in this one. I can get use to sound of the fan only have to use it in the day time. Right now temp is 95 on warm side and 78 on coolside
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I would switch out to an incandescent bulb and get temps a wee bit cooler overall. Then supplement with Zoo Med's Reptivite with D3/A acetate at least for the present.
What size tank are you looking at for $169?
Just saying that the excess rays from an overhead UVB source could be as harmful as too much powdered vitamin D3. We can control the amount of powdered vitamins with D3 we use by lightly dusting. There are very few options for a leo to escape from UVB rays in your current tank.
Temperatures for all leos regardless of size:
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end
Leave the UTH on 24/7. Can turn off overhead heating at night.
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So are you saying I don't need the uvb ligh? She has been living without a Uth for 4years now or less. I turn all light off at night
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
How about sharing a recent picture of her?
You either need a UVB light OR you need to be supplementing with a calcium with D3. How's her health and bone density? If there are no signs of MBD and she has healthy looking bones, maybe you have achieved a good balance?
Just curious about how frequently you are replacing the 10.0 UVB?
I was saying that the square footage you say she has does not look like very much.
A thermostat could tweak temperatures nicely.
PS: Ideally a UVB 5.0 would be within 12 inches of the substrate. The only way to be certain whether your UVB 10.0 is working 18 inches above the substrate is with a UVB meter. Were there instructions on the packaging indicating the effective distance for the UVB bulb you have? Have you had her under these conditions with the 10.0 Repti-Glo all 4 years? Not many people keep leos under UVB. Might you be interested in getting a radiograph (x-ray) to measure her bone density? That would be welcome feedback which could support your use of the 10.0 UVB bulb.
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing your leo.
BTW, just curious about the dimensions of the 20 gallon regular tank she had been in?
Sounds as if you might be getting the Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 with the front opening doors?
Be sure when you get her new tank to adjust the strength of the UVB. Ideally a UVB 5.0 would be within 12 inches of the substrate.
BTW, just curious about the dimensions of the 20 gallon regular tank she had been in?
Sounds as if you might be getting the Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 with the front opening doors?
Be sure when you get her new tank to adjust the strength of the UVB. Ideally a UVB 5.0 would be within 12 inches of the substrate.
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