How to control heating in summer?

[HannahJill12]

I bought my gecko in the winter so I got an under tank heater and an overhead ceramic heater to keep temperatures up. Now that it's getting warmer I'm not sure how to keep the heat at a decent temperature. The air temp is now at 87 with both but it's before it got warm the air temp was around 84. Should I turn off the ceramic heater or do I have to get a thermostat for the tank?

 

[JIMI]

A thermostat for the UTH is a necessity. I would recommend that you get a thermostat for your CHE. Makes life a whole lot easier for you and your gecko! Leopard geckos do not tolerate high air temps. In fact, anything higher than 86 F for extended periods of time can cause some complications. It's only going to get hotter! Are the temps on your cool side around 75 F when the CHE is on? How low do the ambient temps on both the hot side and the cool side drop when the CHE is off?

 

[Completeleopard]

Hello and a warm welcome to GU.

As JIMI stated, a thermostat is highly recommended. It is best to tape both the probe of your thermostat and then probe of your thermometer together and place them under then warm dry hide on the substrate.

. What type of thermometer do you have?

. Here are the recommended temperatures.


Recommended 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

 

[HannahJill12]

Thanks so much! I've never gotten a definitive air temp range so this was very helpful! I have a digital stick on thermometer on the warm and cool side.

 

[JIMI]

Oh no those things are not reliable at all! Here's a pretty good cheap thermometer: Amazon.com: Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer: Pet Supplies. You usually have to be careful with the cheap ones and compare them with another reliable thermometer. I use this same thermometer and luckily they've been pretty accurate for me (I always check them)! I suggest that you get 2; one to leave on top of the substrate (the way Completeleopard described above) to measure the ground temps and one to leave dangling 4 inches above the ground to measure the air temps. If you could get a different reliable thermometer that can measure air temps and humidity (you could check out Walmart, but be careful they tend to read incorrect temps. Or at least the ones I have gotten have been very unreliable:?) that would be even better. If you're willing to spend a little more on your thermometers then go ahead!

 

[Completeleopard]

Here is a recommended thermometer / humidity gauge!


For $35 the Bean Farm (877-708-5882, - The Bean Farm) sells a Cooper brand thermometer/hygrometer combination that takes both readings at the probe Digital Panel Thermometer/Hygro - Thermometers - The Bean Farm