GeckoManiac91
New member
I too have found that the heat pads don't restick very well, it really sucks because of how expensive they are 
Sand Dilemma
- Thread starter blazingecko11
- Start date
blazingecko11
New member
So the tank is what I believe a 38 gallon tank. The length is 36 inches long X 12 inches wide X 17 inches tall. 2 out of 3 things are actually good! I know the height for a leopard gecko really isnt important because they aren't arboreal but the wideness is the same as a 20 gallon long, and the length is the same as a 40 breeder. So would this tank be sufficient for this big gecko!? lol
Speckles
New member
He looks like our Speckles, who is also huge. Supposedly she was a month old when we got her in December, which makes her 8 months old and she is 10 inches long. I thought she was done growing at 9, but nope We are switching her to a bigger tank, too. Just put in the tile which looks so nice! I got a good deal on a new heat pad on Amazon, it was for a 40-50 gallon tank and only $20.
We are switching her to a bigger tank, too. Just put in the tile which looks so nice! I got a good deal on a new heat pad on Amazon, it was for a 40-50 gallon tank and only $20.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Your 36 x 12 x 17 inch tank sounds alright for now. Can't say how large your leo will ultimately be.
He looks like our Speckles, who is also huge. Supposedly she was a month old when we got her in December, which makes her 8 months old and she is 10 inches long. I thought she was done growing at 9, but nope
WOW! Good to hear how Speckles has grown
just back to the sand for a sec... someone recommended septic sand. Silica was okay, masonite was better and septic the best. I think it is finer ground. And yes, there would always be the risk of impaction. Had mine on silica (redundant name since most rocks have silica in them) for a while and he definitely ate it.
I then skipped a bunch of posts and saw the thing about UTH. Yeah, it makes me mad that they don't restick well. One of my newer ones won't stay put and I have only taken it off to wash the tank. Dumb design! Anyone had successful means of holding them to the glass?
I then skipped a bunch of posts and saw the thing about UTH. Yeah, it makes me mad that they don't restick well. One of my newer ones won't stay put and I have only taken it off to wash the tank. Dumb design! Anyone had successful means of holding them to the glass?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Not only do the UTHs not restick well, I wrote Zoo Med in Spring 2013. They tell me not to restick the UTHs with anything. Zoo Med says that the wires in the UTH can be damaged when the UTH is peeled off the tank.
lovely. That would explain the very inconsistent heat I get from them. I think it would be helpful if it said that directly on the backing of the sticker.
So I am missing something here. For my smaller tanks, I take them to the bath to wash and rinse them. I would think that wet on heat pads and wires (and sticky backing) would also be a bad idea. How does one normally wash and rinse a tank? Just "wet mop" it with a towel?
So I am missing something here. For my smaller tanks, I take them to the bath to wash and rinse them. I would think that wet on heat pads and wires (and sticky backing) would also be a bad idea. How does one normally wash and rinse a tank? Just "wet mop" it with a towel?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
For more details on the correspondence I had with Zoo Med about resticking UTHs, scroll to post #43 following the Leo Caresheet linked below.
chickenmama
New member
I'm a brand-new member, but want to share my experience with loose substrate.
Our leopard gecko was on the walnut shell substrate for about a year. He didn't seem to be doing well, so put him onto terrarium grass. After a year or so on the terrarium grass, he became impacted and died.
We necropsied him, and found a big, encrypted pocket of the walnut shell substrate.
We learned the hard way that loose substrate can kill a gecko, even after the loose substrate has been removed.
Our leopard gecko was on the walnut shell substrate for about a year. He didn't seem to be doing well, so put him onto terrarium grass. After a year or so on the terrarium grass, he became impacted and died.
We necropsied him, and found a big, encrypted pocket of the walnut shell substrate.
We learned the hard way that loose substrate can kill a gecko, even after the loose substrate has been removed.
chickenmama
New member
We've waited nine months or so, and we just got two little juveniles to replace our guy who died from impaction.
When my five year old got them home after picking them up from FedEx, she said "Mom, it's so nice having lizards again!".
I'm liking the idea of tiles for these guys. That sounds really lovely and easy to clean, in addition to being cozy for the geckos.
When my five year old got them home after picking them up from FedEx, she said "Mom, it's so nice having lizards again!".
I'm liking the idea of tiles for these guys. That sounds really lovely and easy to clean, in addition to being cozy for the geckos.
blazingecko11
New member
Ultimately Paper towels is the best substrate. Cheap, easy to clean and replaceable.
yes, because all of Afghanistan is covered in paper towels
It may be much less and issue for my leo but my carpet python and kingsnake love their more naturalistic vivs. The king LOVES to tunnel in the cypress (she is a chicken, not a snake, despite appearances) and the carpet loves branches and leave to climb and hide in. I though perhaps a more natural environment might approximate happiness in my leo was all. I think I will try to get some slate and cut and drill and bond it to make some interesting features, but yeah, paper towel is probably the safest (though I did see one get impacted on that too!).
It may be much less and issue for my leo but my carpet python and kingsnake love their more naturalistic vivs. The king LOVES to tunnel in the cypress (she is a chicken, not a snake, despite appearances) and the carpet loves branches and leave to climb and hide in. I though perhaps a more natural environment might approximate happiness in my leo was all. I think I will try to get some slate and cut and drill and bond it to make some interesting features, but yeah, paper towel is probably the safest (though I did see one get impacted on that too!).
aterbrock2203
New member
I too have found that the heat pads don't restick very well, it really sucks because of how expensive they are
That's why I bought an Ultratherm UTH. You attach them with duct tape and they can be taken off and reused. They are also constructed using the same technology as flexwatt heat tape. I got mine (11 x 11 inch) for about 25 bucks shipped. You can get them at beanfarm.com.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Have you had the opportunity to use your Ultratherm UTH for awhile with duct tape and then reuse it? I have heard that using actual duct tape would leave one sticky mess because of the heat.
aterbrock2203
New member
Haven't had the need to pull it off and reuse it yet. But I liked the idea that it could be reused if necessary. It is a nice, thick polyurethane that I should be able to clean if necessary. A little goo-gone should do the trick if I have to go that route. Plus, I liked the idea that it was similar to flexwatt heat tape.
yes, I have since heard that heat tape or cables is the way to go. I like these as well AND if I were very very rich, you can get high end heating units.
I think the toughest thing for me is going to be getting the right stuff affordable and being strict with myself. I have been waiting a year for a Brazilian rainbow boa (now THERE is a more sensitive species). I have everything (except thermostats) including food for the little guy. They were born the second week of July... I am thinking with my recent costs and needing to get more things for winter, I should hold off. Money, it should grow on trees.
Not that relevant a post, sorry. But yeah, I am going to check out heat cables today when I pick up more feeders. I guess with the heat tape/cables or ultratherm, you need space underneath the tank?
I think the toughest thing for me is going to be getting the right stuff affordable and being strict with myself. I have been waiting a year for a Brazilian rainbow boa (now THERE is a more sensitive species). I have everything (except thermostats) including food for the little guy. They were born the second week of July... I am thinking with my recent costs and needing to get more things for winter, I should hold off. Money, it should grow on trees.
Not that relevant a post, sorry. But yeah, I am going to check out heat cables today when I pick up more feeders. I guess with the heat tape/cables or ultratherm, you need space underneath the tank?
GeckoManiac91
New member
Yes, with any under tank heater you need ventilation space underneath for air flow.