Overnight temps

[provider1975]

So now that winter has hit, so have the colder temps. We keep our house temp at 62 during the night, and I think this is way to cold for Ringo. We have a UTH, and after getting a dimmer, we are able to keep his warm hide/floor is at 90 at all times. The cooler side is usually around 70/75, but now hovers only at 60 during the overnights. I'm not a fan of the lamps, my husband is a firefighter and we worry about leaving it on overnight. Plus the one we bought originally just seems like it's too large for his 10 gallon. The temps were going way up to 80! Any other thoughts?

 

[Yoshi'smom]

You said you bought a lamp? Is it a bulb or a CHE?
I'd recommend that if you have a CHE, to purchase a separate thermostat to help regulate it that way it won't get too warm in the tank. I think ambient air temps of 75-80 are ideal with the warm side getting a little warmer.
If you have the bulb, I'd ditch it as it can be stressful for a leo to have a light on all the time. Instead, invest in the CHE and separate thermostat.

 

[provider1975]

No, we got suckered into the "gecko starter kit". It came with a day (blue) bulb and a night (red) bulb. I used them for a day, and then read how they can stress the little guys out. So o haven't used it. Also my hubs was nervous about fire safety haha. So I'll go with a Che then . Does that stay on all the time?

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Yeah, I'd go with a CHE.
I've never had any problems with them.
It should be placed on a thermostat as well and adjusted to reach optimal ambient air temps.

 

[provider1975]

Ringo is in a 10 gallon.....what size CHE should I get?

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I'd get a 100 watt bulb and put it over the warm side. Then use the thermostat to set it to about 78f ambient air temp.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Here's a great thermostat that many of us use. Get 2 of them, one for your UTH and the second for your overhead CHE.

Click: Amazon.com : Jump Start MTPRTC, Digital ETL-Certified Heat Mat Thermostat for Seed Germination, Reptiles and Brewing : Plant Germination Heating Mats : Patio, Lawn & Garden

The UTH should stay on 24/7. Perhaps your overhead CHE should remain on 24/7 as well at least during the cold months.

(See the next post)

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Instead of the 8.5 inch diameter Repta Clamp Lamp I recommend the 10 inch one even for a 10 gallon vivarium. In fact, I'm currently using a 10 inch clamp lamp on a 10 gallon for another gecko genus.

Click: Fluker`s Repta Clamp Lamp 250 Watts 10 inch Bulb | eBay

Petco carries the 10 inch diameter clamp lamps too.