Lighting & UTH
- Thread starter ChiTea
- Start date
ChiTea
New member
Hi All,
Can you guys recommend a specific thermostat that you like? I just moved into my new place yesterday, and it gets pretty hot (there's only one air conditioning unit and it's in my living room) so I need a way to control the temperature in the tank, which is in my sewing room. There's a ceiling fan, which helped a little, but not a lot.
Thanks!
Can you guys recommend a specific thermostat that you like? I just moved into my new place yesterday, and it gets pretty hot (there's only one air conditioning unit and it's in my living room) so I need a way to control the temperature in the tank, which is in my sewing room. There's a ceiling fan, which helped a little, but not a lot.
Thanks!
aterbrock2203
New member
Amazon.com : Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats : Plant Germination Heating Mats : Patio, Lawn & Garden
This is the thermostat that I use. I bought it based on its popularity on multiple reptile forums. It's worked great so far.
This is the thermostat that I use. I bought it based on its popularity on multiple reptile forums. It's worked great so far.
ChiTea
New member
Oooh - fancy! And good reviews, too! What temp do you normally set your UTH for? As I stated in a previous post, mine is around 90 (which I thought was normal) but my little guy doesn't like it. :? I know it's for his own good, so I'd like to try and ease him into it somehow...
Mardy
New member
Generally 90-95 is the standard, and your temperature using a non-proportional thermostat will get a +/- 5 degree fluctuation, which is normal. But each individual geckos are different, and if your gecko is conditioned to live at a lower temperature, then set yours lower. Like maybe 85-89 or something of that sort.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
ChiTea ~
If the room temperature of your sewing room is warmer than the thermostat's setting, air conditioning is a must.
I've been using that Hydrofarm MTPRTC for my leo for a few months now. Switched over from a different brand. Have mine set for 91 F. It varies less than 2 degrees lower than the 91 F setting according to the probes. I have the probe of my digital thermometer taped directly above the thermostat's probe in order to verify the thermostat's reading.
Last edited:
ChiTea
New member
Ok. The thermostat came today, but it doesn't seem to solve my problem. Basically, it will turn up the heat when the temperature gets low, but it will not do the reverse. Since my leo won't go near the UTH at all (even when the temperature is normal) I was planning to set the thermostat to a low temp, and raise it a degree or so each day until he got used to it. The way this thermostat works, it seems to be useless for my purpose. Please help!
GeckoManiac91
New member
Good to hear that the thermostat came
Do you have the probe for the thermostat over top the heat mat? Are you using a thermometer with a probe to double check the readings? A thermostat will turn off once it reaches the desired temperature, drop a couple degrees, then turn back on. Setting it for 88 should be fine. As long as your temps don't drop below 86 or so on a regular basis your Leo should have a good time digesting its food.
I don't see any other reason on why he's avoiding the heat mat :?
ChiTea
New member
Good to hear that the thermostat came
Setting it for 88 should be fine. As long as your temps don't drop below 86 or so on a regular basis your Leo should have a good time digesting its food.
I don't see any other reason on why he's avoiding the heat mat :?
Yup, I have the probe just above the heat mat. It is right beside the probe from my digital thermometer (they're within a few tenths of a degree of each other)
Even at 88, he won't go near it. He's not used to it, which is why I think he's avoiding the area. It's also why I thought I could start at a low temp, and gradually raise it for him. Is there a different device that will let me do that?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I've been using that Hydrofarm MTPRTC for my leo for a few months now. Have mine set for 91 F. It varies about 2 degrees lower than the 91 F setting according to the probes.
A thermostat's job is to keep the temperatures at more even set temperatures. Sometimes there is a little variance either + or -. If say your Hydrofarm is set for 91 F, the thermostat could drop to 88 F before it turns on. Then it will turn off at the 91 F setting, but the temperature MIGHT rise a bit higher as read by the separate digital thermometer's probe. However, a thermostat will NOT do the job of a room air conditioner and adjust temperatures lower than the room temperatures.
I tape my digital's probe right above my Hydrofarm's probe.
I hope that you can relocate the tank to the living room when it gets too warm in your sewing room like in the summer or whenever.
Super to hear that you've verified your new Hydrofarm thermostat's accuracy with the probe from a digital thermometer and that the temperatures basically match
.Your leo may be uncomfortable considering the other temperatures?
How are you matching these recommended readings?
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 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end
Last edited:
GeckoManiac91
New member
I was thinking the same thing Elizabeth but then how come the Gecko only avoids the warm side when the heat mats on? If it had something to do with the air temps then wouldn't it avoid the hot side regardless? :?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
ChiTea ~
Please verify the size of his tank. You say that the tank pictured measures 30 inches long x 12 inches wide x 18 inches high. Do you mean 20 inches long? So that would be a standard 20 gallon tank?
Sorry if I missed this. What are the temperatures inside his warm dry hide with the UTH turned off?
Last edited:
GeckoManiac91
New member
She stated before the surface temperature without the heat mat on was 84 and with it on was 92
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
She stated before the surface temperature without the heat mat on was 84 and with it on was 92
Was that before or after her move?
GeckoManiac91
New member
I am not sure, can't seem to find anything about that. Did she move or did the gecko move tanks?
I found the temperatures in posts #7 and #16 respectively.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Hey Dylan ~
This quote is post #22.
ChiTea (and her leo) moved. Happy that she did not leave the leo behind :biggrin:.
Last edited:
GeckoManiac91
New member
Ooh, don't see how I missed that. My bad :coverlaugh:
Well then the temperatures she said were before she moved. Which you already probably pieced together
ChiTea
New member
Wow - so many new comments to address since the time I left that comment this morning and just now when I got to work, ha ha.
Tank:
- the tank is indeed 30" long - it's a 29 gallon tank. Same as a 20 gallon long, except that it's 18" high instead of 12" high. Someone gave it to the previous owner about 2 years ago. I don't remember what the size of the original tank was.
- the tank is definitely warmer than the air in the room.
Temps:
- the UTH is under his favorite hide, but you're right - he will stay in there all day, until I turn the heater on (I keep trying to get him to get used to it) and then he avoids it 100% and sits in the moist hide instead.
- the temps I stated above were actually after my move. I just re-read my post above about it getting really hot, and I think that was a fluke. The day I moved, it was almost 100 degrees out, plus there were people coming in and out all day with deliveries, etc. I think all the extra people, combined with the outside temps made it hotter in the room just for that day. It hasn't been nearly that hot since.
- the temps were about the same before my move, as well (if not a degree or two cooler). Although the heat lamp was on 24/7, and now I usually just keep it on at night for him. Same situation with the UTH, though - he wouldn't go near it. I can't remember when the previous owner got the UTH, but he tried it once and Reggie (my leo) didn't like it, so it stayed off completely. It's only been since I've inherited Reggie full time that I've been reading about geckos (constantly) and have been noticing all the things that his previous owner wasn't doing properly (the UTH being only one of them).
- is there some sort of 'air conditioning' device I could get for inside the tank? It just seems like a better way overall to control the temps 24/7, right? I absolutely love my little Reggie and just want to right all the 'wrongs' that were previously being done, without stressing him too much with so many changes all at once.
Tank:
- the tank is indeed 30" long - it's a 29 gallon tank. Same as a 20 gallon long, except that it's 18" high instead of 12" high. Someone gave it to the previous owner about 2 years ago. I don't remember what the size of the original tank was.
- the tank is definitely warmer than the air in the room.
Temps:
- the UTH is under his favorite hide, but you're right - he will stay in there all day, until I turn the heater on (I keep trying to get him to get used to it) and then he avoids it 100% and sits in the moist hide instead.
- the temps I stated above were actually after my move. I just re-read my post above about it getting really hot, and I think that was a fluke. The day I moved, it was almost 100 degrees out, plus there were people coming in and out all day with deliveries, etc. I think all the extra people, combined with the outside temps made it hotter in the room just for that day. It hasn't been nearly that hot since.
- the temps were about the same before my move, as well (if not a degree or two cooler). Although the heat lamp was on 24/7, and now I usually just keep it on at night for him. Same situation with the UTH, though - he wouldn't go near it. I can't remember when the previous owner got the UTH, but he tried it once and Reggie (my leo) didn't like it, so it stayed off completely. It's only been since I've inherited Reggie full time that I've been reading about geckos (constantly) and have been noticing all the things that his previous owner wasn't doing properly (the UTH being only one of them).
- is there some sort of 'air conditioning' device I could get for inside the tank? It just seems like a better way overall to control the temps 24/7, right? I absolutely love my little Reggie and just want to right all the 'wrongs' that were previously being done, without stressing him too much with so many changes all at once.