How can I get the right temperature for my leopard gecko?

[phoebethegecko]

My house is generally around 60-65 degrees F during the day and around 58-60 at night (it gets even colder in the winter). I'm going to upgrade to a 20 gallon when Petco has their dollar per gallon sale around December. But for now she's in a 10 gallon. I know there are under tank heaters for 10-20 gallons but since my house is a bit colder than most, should I try getting a mat for 30-40 gallons (for when I get the 20 gallon) to make sure it gets warm enough? I already have a 500 watt thermostat. And if I use a day or night light, will it get too hot in the enclosure? Please answer my questions :biggrin: I only want the best for my leo

 

[Jstoker1238]

I had the regular 10 gallon tank from petco for a while, I used a 60watt day time bulb, and a 60 watt night time bulb (red). I also used an under the tank head pat that sticks to the bottom of the tank, it was a small one, one of the smallest and cheapest ones I could find at petco, Kept it under the humid hide on the warm side and that set up worked fine for my leo. The temp in my house stays between 65-70 usually.

 

[Aimless]

which ever size of heating mat you get, please consider a thermostat to control its temperature. whatever the wattage, they can fluctuate and overheat, burning your herp.

do you have one of those non-contact digital thermometers? you can find them as low as ~$25 and they last a long time. then while you're trying different lights and stuff it makes it really easy to keep a close watch on the temperature without even having to move probes around.

 

[krusty46]

In general, you can't reuse the heat pads after you adhere them to the tank, so if you have a 10 gal, I would stick with the 10-20. Otherwise the little guy will have no where to run if he gets too hot--the whole tank will be a hot zone. I've read about people who stick them to a pane of glass and place that under the tank so that they can move them around.
I know someone who uses both a UTH and a 75 watt night bulb and says he has no problems. I gave it a shot and temps in my tank were over 100F. I do need a bulb in addition to my heat pad with winter coming, but I'm going to order a 25w and 40w and see what works best for me. My house is traditionally between 70-72 in winter.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

My house is generally around 60-65 degrees F during the day and around 58-60 at night (it gets even colder in the winter). I'm going to upgrade to a 20 gallon when Petco has their dollar per gallon sale around December. But for now she's in a 10 gallon. I know there are under tank heaters for 10-20 gallons but since my house is a bit colder than most, should I try getting a mat for 30-40 gallons (for when I get the 20 gallon) to make sure it gets warm enough? I already have a 500 watt thermostat. And if I use a day or night light, will it get too hot in the enclosure? Please answer my questions :biggrin: I only want the best for my leo

:banana: for you in already having a thermostat and coming to GU for some advice for leo Phoebe!

Definitely you want to size up to a 30-40 gallon sized UTH when you upgrade to your 20 gallon LONG tank: 30 x 12 x 12 inches. We always recommend an UTH 1/3 the length of the tank and as close to the width as possible.

Those home temperatures are definitely cooler than the norm. You'll need to keep the UTH on 24/7 as usual, but also the overhead heat in a dome. I always suggest a 10 inch diameter dome for your 20 gallon long tank with Ceramic Heat Emitter plus the UTH. That way Phoebe will experience a warm "zone" and not just a warm "spot". You'll also need a rheostat/dimmer or a second thermostat for the overhead heat.

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

Leave the UTH on 24/7. In your case, leave the overhead heat on at night.

 

[phoebethegecko]

Wow thanks everyone for the quick answers!! So do you think that if I use a 30-40 gallon UTH with a 50 watt red bulb, it won't be too much (especially since my house is always cold)? Because I already have a 40 and a 50 watt red bulb. Or are you recommending a CHE? Also my dome is 8.5 inches. Is that enough? I will also get a digital thermometer when I get the 20 gallon, trying to save up first ;-)

 

[Geckologist.tj]

There are people who use the red bulb with no noticeable problems, but many geckos seem disturbed by the red light. Regardless of whether or not they can distinguish red, the leos definitely can see the light. Additionally, CHE's tend to give a larger zone of heat than any colored bulb. That is why the CHE is recommended over a red bulb. If it were me, I'd get the CHE. However, if you already have the stuff, and you are confident that you would recognize if your leo's day/night patern is disturbed, and you can change to the CHE in a hurry if the bulb doesn't work, you can try it out and see. At least that is my opinion. Others may feel differently.

 

[cricket4u]

I will also get a digital thermometer when I get the 20 gallon, trying to save up first


First, a reliable thermometer is very important. You can easily roast your leo in a 10 gallon using overhead heating.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Wow thanks everyone for the quick answers!! So do you think that if I use a 30-40 gallon UTH with a 50 watt red bulb, it won't be too much (especially since my house is always cold)? Because I already have a 40 and a 50 watt red bulb. Or are you recommending a CHE? Also my dome is 8.5 inches. Is that enough? I will also get a digital thermometer when I get the 20 gallon, trying to save up first ;-)

You are welcome.

Really best as others have said to get a good digital thermometer with a probe right now. That is not something Phoebe will "outgrow"! Knowing the actual temperatures is crucial to proper husbandry.

I would get a 10 inch diameter dome clamp lamp when you upgrade to a 20 gallon LONG. The 10 inch dome does a better job redirecting the heat back into the tank and adds efficiency to your overhead heating. Fluker Farms has one.

Can't say exactly if the 50 watt bulb will be satisfactory. If you end up getting a CHE, probably the 100 watt will be best.

Are you planning to get a rheostat/dimmer for the overhead heat?

 

[phoebethegecko]

So a 100 watt CHE (with a rheostat/dinner) WITH the 30-40 gallon UTH (with a thermostat) for a 20 gallon long? Just want to make sure I'm understanding everything :-D But about the rheostat/dimmer...I don't have one. But I will if you guys can recommend a good one for me Or can I use a thermostat with the CHE as well? And there's a digital thermometer at Petco (this one) and it's only $7.99, would any of you recommend it? And I already have a thermometer in the tank, it's just not a digital one.

 

[VivaNFLD]

A rheostat/dimmer would be ideal for both overhead lighting as well as the UTH. May I suggest a a smaller diameter dome fixture for the bulb? Since the diameter of the dome would be smaller it will direct the light/heat to a smaller area in your tank which would be great considering the space issue of a 10 gallon tank. The one thing with this is you would definetly need a rheostat or dimmer to control the heat, since the bulb will no doubt be concentrated by the smaller dome. A digital thermometer is for sure needed immediately, I would stay away from analog thermometers as they have a tolerance of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you decide to go this route I would pay close attention to temperatures via digital thermometer for a couple days. Make notes and keep records, adjust your heat sources using your rheo/dimmer and you should become familiar with how the heat sources affect your tank. Pay close attention on different days (ie rain n cool, warm n humid, hot n dry, etc.) so you will become a pro regarding your tank and heat.

As Elizabeth stated above, you should really start working on getting a bigger enclosure so you can provide your pet the best chance at a healthy and happy life!

I see you plan on doing so and that is great!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So a 100 watt CHE (with a rheostat/dinner) WITH the 30-40 gallon UTH (with a thermostat) for a 20 gallon long? Just want to make sure I'm understanding everything :-D But about the rheostat/dimmer...I don't have one. But I will if you guys can recommend a good one for me Or can I use a thermostat with the CHE as well? And there's a digital thermometer at Petco (this one) and it's only $7.99, would any of you recommend it? And I already have a thermometer in the tank, it's just not a digital one.

Yes, a 100 watt CHE for 20 gallon LONG with 10 inch diameter dome. You could use a 2nd thermostat, since you'll be setting it for different temps.

Lutron is one brand of rheostats.

Never used that Zoo Med digital, but I have not heard anything against it.

Best to have a thermostat to control your UTH. The benefit is that it will keep the temps more stable. It will shut off when the temps rise too high and turn on when they are too low. Rheostats/dimmers do not have that capability.

A decent thermal gradient within a 10 gallon tank is very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.