Lighting & UTH

[Elizabeth Freer]

- 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.

How about sharing a picture of Reggie? Perhaps he's the sort of leo who only likes overhead heat?

Before you ditch the UTH, have you tried turning off the overheads ONLY at night and leaving the UTH on 24/7?

Your thermostat will be needed whether you ultimately use UTH or just overhead heating.

Don't know about in-the-tank fans. For exceptionally hot days, there is the fan/ice block method: something like a room fan directed on an ice block right in front of the tank????? Not sure.

 

[GeckoManiac91]

How about sharing a picture of Reggie? Perhaps he's the sort of leo who only likes overhead heat?

Before you ditch the UTH, have you tried turning off the overheads ONLY at night and leaving the UTH on 24/7?

Your thermostat will be needed whether you ultimately use UTH or just overhead heating.

Don't know about in-the-tank fans. For exceptionally hot days, there is the fan/ice block method: something like a room fan directed on an ice block right in front of the tank????? Not sure.

Yes, you can take a bowl of ice put it in the direction of the tank and blow a fan in front of the bowl, I find just aiming a fan at the tank will do the trick as well It doesn't get the temperature down as much with the bowl of ice but it works.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

How about sharing a picture of Reggie? Perhaps he's the sort of leo who only likes overhead heat?

Before you ditch the UTH, have you tried turning off the overheads ONLY at night and leaving the UTH on 24/7?

Your thermostat will be needed whether you ultimately use UTH or just overhead heating.

Don't know about in-the-tank fans. For exceptionally hot days, there is the fan/ice block method: something like a room fan directed on an ice block right in front of the tank????? Not sure.

Yes, you can take a bowl of ice put it in the direction of the tank and blow a fan in front of the bowl, I find just aiming a fan at the tank will do the trick as well It doesn't get the temperature down as much with the bowl of ice but it works.

Swamp cooling method?

 

[GeckoManiac91]

Swamp cooling method?

Pardon? Sorry, not sure what you mean Elizabeth :?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Pardon? Sorry, not sure what you mean Elizabeth :?

Not sure either, GM91. No worries....

 

[ChiTea]

Elizabeth & Maniac,

Thanks so much for all your great tips! I'll try just leaving the UTH on tonight without the overhead heat lamp and see how that goes. I'm also definitely going to try the fan and ice trick.

Here's a couple pictures of my sweet little Reggie. I took these a few weeks ago (before the move) and the heat lamp was on, hence all the red. I'm going to try and get some better ones this week. He just shed over the weekend and now he's exceptionally bright and his colors really stand out And I just unpacked my real camera, ha ha.

 

[cricket4u]

What happens when the ice melts(normally within half an hour or so)? I think it would be best to move him to the room with the air conditioner is. It is important to provide a cool side at all times. If the air temps are already too high, chances are he will not want to lay on a hot surface.

 

[Muffins94]

Pardon? Sorry, not sure what you mean Elizabeth :?

She was referring to the ice/ fan idea as the swamp cooling method. That's what I have heard it be referred to by crested owners.

What happens when the ice melts(normally within half an hour or so)? I think it would be best to move him to the room with the air conditioner is. It is important to provide a cool side at all times. If the air temps are already too high, chances are he will not want to lay on a hot surface.

I have to agree with cricket on this. On hot days you will have to constantly monitor and change ice bowls/packs, while AC will be much simpler.

 

[ChiTea]

I'll probably get a portable air conditioner for the room if it continues to be a problem. The room where the wall air conditioner is, is less than adequate for a gecko - I'd actually have even less control over the temps because of how the room is and where the AC unit is (I no longer have central air... boo). I was actually looking at some portable units the other day, and I thought that they'd probably go on sale soon, since it's the end of the season.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'll probably get a portable air conditioner for the room if it continues to be a problem. The room where the wall air conditioner is, is less than adequate for a gecko - I'd actually have even less control over the temps because of how the room is and where the AC unit is (I no longer have central air... boo). I was actually looking at some portable units the other day, and I thought that they'd probably go on sale soon, since it's the end of the season.

Portable A/C sounds like the answer. Best wishes on finding a good sale!

 

[ChiTea]

What do you guys think about a tower fan? I've got one at work, and it blows cold air. There are even some that have built in thermostats and timers. Just a thought. Air conditioning and fan comparison is not really in my realm of knowledge... Any thoughts would be helpful I'm hoping you guys like this idea, because I could just pick one up on my way home from work. Problem solved. Well, one problem, at least.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Just brainstorming (as usual): Any chance you might borrow the tower fan from work to try it out?

Sorry, don't know either :-(

 

[Muffins94]

I think it could work if its like the one I have. Man that thing blows out some serious cold air. Few minutes with that on makes the room so cool!

 

[ChiTea]

Muffins - nice! What kind do you have?

ps - please tell me your gecko is named Muffins. So cute.

 

[cricket4u]

An air conditioner cools the air,whereas a fan only blows the warm air around. A fan will not do your leo any good. An air conditioner with a built in thermostat is what you really need. This will allow you to set it to a desired room temperature.

 

[ChiTea]

Hi Cricket,

Tower fans are different from box fans. They do produce cold air, but in a different way from an AC unit. That's what I've been reading today. They also have thermostats. I'm about to go to the store, so I'll share any info I find out. I have my fingers crossed that I can find a solution.

 

[cricket4u]

Hi Cricket,

Tower fans are different from box fans. They do produce cold air, but in a different way from an AC unit. That's what I've been reading today. They also have thermostats. I'm about to go to the store, so I'll share any info I find out. I have my fingers crossed that I can find a solution.

Oh, I thought you meant one of the tall standing fans.

 

[GeckoManiac91]

What happens when the ice melts(normally within half an hour or so)? I think it would be best to move him to the room with the air conditioner is. It is important to provide a cool side at all times. If the air temps are already too high, chances are he will not want to lay on a hot surface.

Obviously the ice cooling method isn't a permanent solution. I was just saying it helps me out when my days get too hot here which isn't very often at all

 

[ChiTea]

Well, this is nuts. I got the right tower, thermostat and all, it's exactly what I need, but it doesn't work! I just set it all up, and it must have been a return or something. So I'll have to take it back tomorrow and get another one... I'm beyond frustrated by this.

Elizabeth - I would love to borrow the one from my office, but the person who had my job before me was fired for theft (among other illegal activities) so I don't even want to broach the subject of borrowing something, ha ha.

Frustration aside, I do think this thermostat tower fan will help a lot. Now I just need to get little Reggie acclimated to the UTH.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Well, this is nuts. I got the right tower, thermostat and all, it's exactly what I need, but it doesn't work! I just set it all up, and it must have been a return or something. So I'll have to take it back tomorrow and get another one... I'm beyond frustrated by this.

How disappointing, ChiTea!

Elizabeth - I would love to borrow the one from my office, but the person who had my job before me was fired for theft (among other illegal activities) so I don't even want to broach the subject of borrowing something, ha ha.

OMG! I see. I meant with permission and all that, of course.

Frustration aside, I do think this thermostat tower fan will help a lot. Now I just need to get little Reggie acclimated to the UTH.

Please keep GU posted with your progress and Reggie's.