Cold humid hide

[kholtme]

I think a thermostat is absolutely necessary with heat cables and mat, because leopard geckos need a warm side between 88-92 degrees F. Which is 31-33 degrees C. So in order to prevent the mat from getting to hot you need a thermostat. Before I got my leo, I had my tank set up and my tile was getting 110 degrees F. If you dont have the money for a thermostat at the time, you can get a lamp dimmer at your local hardware store for under $10, but as room temperatures change, so will the heat mat temperatures. A thermostat is a lot more precise and less of a head ache.

I feed dubia roaches, red runner roaches, horn worms, blue bottle fly larvae, and the occasional crickets.

 

[kholtme]

And also to answer you other question, leaving supplements in the cage is a bad thing because most importantly leopard geckos need to digest food to intake the nutrition. So eating plain supplements, the gecko isnt really getting any good out of it. Also you can run the risk of over supplementing, which is just as bad as not supplementing. since you arent controlling the supplement intake of your gecko, it could be eating too much. Its best to dust your feeders with the supplements for the most accurate and proper digestion.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Okay, thank you.

==> No plain calcium, calcium with D3, or multivitamins inside a vivarium <==

Why don't you recommend it? I apologize if I have too many questions :lol:

Oh and, is the thermostat really neccesary when using heat cabels and mats?

I like questions. You are doing the "hard part" (translators), since you live in the Czech Republic.

Did you read post #17 after my edits? I'm sorry about all the edits.

Thermostats are important.

• I think a thermostat is a requirement for heat mats/cables with leopard geckos.
• The cables/heat mat could put out more heat than is necessary.
• A thermostat keeps the temperatures in the range you set, say 32*C. It will fluctuate up and down a couple degrees. If you set it for 32*C, when the vivarium reaches 32*C it turns off. The temperature will drop to 30*C before it automatically turns the heat cables back on.
• Room temperature vary in summer and in winter.
• Thermostats prevent accidental overheating which might cause a house fire.

Vitamins & supplements: I recommend keeping all supplements and vitamins out of the tank, because of the possibility of overdosing. Vitamin D and vitamin A are fat soluble. That means they need to be taken with food for proper absorption.

1. First, it's important to feed insects and worms a balanced diet. We are what we eat.
2. I use a dry diet as the basic diet.
3. Then I add collard greens or pesticide-free dandelion flowers, stems, and leaves for a good calcium boost.
4. Secondly, lightly dust with vitamins and supplements.
5. As much as possible, feed your bugs and worms sources that contain vitamin D3 and vitamin A acetate, for example.
6. Dietary sources are much better than dusting. Light dusting is important too.

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

How do you know where I live, you traced my IP?

I feed the insects carrots, apples, potatoes.. pretty randomly I guess. I will focus on it a bit more. I placed a calcium bowl (pure sepia powder) inside. I will put it out then.

Alright, I've already sent the request to join the group, I guess I will have to wait a while.

Okay, so the thermostat is a must. You don't even know how happy I'm about it :roll:

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Replies between the lines:

How do you know where I live, you traced my IP?

Don't worry. You are safe. Under each person's Geckos Unlimited profile, sometimes it shows where you live. That's all I did. It helps me to know that you are bilingual. Translators can sometimes mix things up.

I feed the insects carrots, apples, potatoes.. pretty randomly I guess. I will focus on it a bit more. I placed a calcium bowl (pure sepia powder) inside. I will put it out then.

Have you access to powdered calcium with D3 and multivitamins? I like and use the Zoo Med brand.

Alright, I've already sent the request to join the group, I guess I will have to wait a while.

Nice! The video shows several leopard geckos eating Blaptica dubia from a clear glass feeding dish.

Okay, so the thermostat is a must. You don't even know how happy I'm about it :roll:

Yes, I figured as much about the thermostat's costs. A simple (non-porportional) thermostat works fine. I'm sorry that there are so many necessities. :sad:

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

Alright, I will look up the non-proportional thermostat. There is nothing to be sorry about, If I wanted to spend less I would get a hamster. It is just a bit more than I expected.

I'm not worried, I was just curious how did you know that. I don't use any translators, those are useless. I'm sorry if I mixed something up.

Like I said, I use Sepia powder by Trixie (calcium without D3) and Reptivite by Zoo Med (with D3).

Yeah, I've already seen the video. Pretty good idea with the glass bowl. And you have really beautiful geckos

Btw, my gecko is just shedding his skin! He is so shiny now :lol:

EDIT.: Do you think something like this might work? https://www.akva-exo.cz/detail/teraristika/merici-pristroje/spinaci-hodiny/6206/

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Alright, I will look up the non-porportional thermostat. There is nothing to be sorry about, If I wanted to spend less I would get a hamster. It is just a bit more than I expected.

I know the feeling "a bit more than (you) expected".

I'm not worried, I was just curious how did you know that. I don't use any translators, those are useless. I'm sorry if I mixed something up.

Your English is very good. Have you been taking English in school? I've experimented with translators a little. Really funny results sometimes.

Like I said, I use Sepia powder by Trixie (calcium without D3) and Reptivite by Zoo Med (with D3).

Thanks.

Yeah, I've already seen the video. Pretty good idea with the glass bowl. And you have really beautiful geckos

Nice! That FaceBook video is not mine. Those leos are beautiful. I just have one leo. She's about 11 years old.

Btw, my gecko is just shedding his skin! He is so shiny now :lol:

That's exciting. My leo Cha usually sheds in private and eats her old skin. Last night was shed night. She's peeking out from her warm dry cave right now.

My leopard gecko Cha cha cha from a different day:


EDIT.: Do you think something like this might work? https://www.akva-exo.cz/detail/teraristika/merici-pristroje/spinaci-hodiny/6206/

That looks like a timer. A thermostat is different.

Here's the thermostat I use.
Click: https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/MTPRTC

 

[kholtme]

I also use that thermostat that elizabeth recommends, its great, a lot of users here use it

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

Your English is very good. Have you been taking English in school? I've experimented with translators a little. Really funny results sometimes.

I've been learning English for about 7 years. But what I learned I learned mostly from movies and PC games. The previous month I received the FCE certificate.

Like I said, I use Sepia powder by Trixie (calcium without D3) and Reptivite by Zoo Med (with D3).
Thanks.

Is it a good combination?

Nice! That FaceBook video is not mine. Those leos are beautiful. I just have one leo. She's about 11 years old.

I know, but I saw your comment below the video and checked your profile :coverlaugh:

That looks like a timer. A thermostat is different.

Alright, but this should work too, right? It will turn off the cable every 30 minutes to prevent it being too hot.

I also use that thermostat that elizabeth recommends, its great, a lot of users here use it
Here's the thermostat I use.
Click: https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/MTPRTC

I think I will try the timer first. They don't sell these Hydrofarm thermostats here and shipping is awfuly pricey.


Damn, I will use some different colour next time :roll:

 

[kholtme]

I think a lamp dimmer would work better than a timer, if you cant afford a thermostat. Maybe some local places will have a thermostat, i would check pet stores and maybe even plant stores, the one we recommend is actually intended for plants. You dont have to have the hydrofarm, its just the best for the money for us in the states.

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

I looked up the thermostats and there is one cheap (which falls apart after a while) and some more that cost 5 times more (here in Czech rep). Lamp dimmer - that's for adjusting the intensity of light? Good idea, that might work too.

 

[kholtme]

yeah it is, but the problem is once you get the heat mat adjusted, which may take a bit of time, then if your room gets colder or warmer, so will the heat mat. So you have to watch the temps very often to make sure the mat isnt to hot or too cold, to where a thermostat does this automatically.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

A thermostat keeps the temperatures inside your vivarium consistent. For instance, if your room temperatures drop, the thermostat will keep the heat mat on. If your room gets warmer than the setting, the thermostat turns the heat mat off.

A thermostat is much better than a rheostat (dimmer). A thermostat keeps your home safe from potential house fires from overheating.

I don't know how often fires happen from overheating, but why risk it?