Heat mat for leopard gecko

[Reptix]

Hi, I try to find out the right size on heat mat for my coming leopard geckos.
How big heat mat do I need for terrarium in the size 90x45x45cm (36”x18”x18”) ?

I found some heat mats that have the sizes 40x28cm 20 watt, 53x28cm 28 Watt and 28x28cm 14 Watt. but I don't know what to get

 

[PoppyDear]

I think you are talking a 50 gallon tank, I have seen most reccomend heat tape or heat cables controlled by thermostats since the heatmats are pretty small and don't cover a third to half of the tank.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

I recommend covering half the ground with a heat mat. For a 20 long (30 x 12 x 12 inches) that means an 11 x 17 inch heat mat. It's not overkill. Your leo will have more heated floor space to explore.

For your vivarium (90 x 45 x 45 cm -- 36” x 18” x 18”) I recommend 39 feet of Flexwatt heat cables attached with aluminum foil tape. If you configure the red cables on the right side (alternating long, then shorter, loops), I think it allows for a more gradual gradient from hot to cool. The first 6 feet of the cables are not heated. Be sure to read the directions.

Do the red cables:


Example only:


Be sure to get a thermostat to control the heat cables.

A leopard gecko needs a 12" high enclosure. Consider building some ramps. If you find the heat cables are not enough, add a Ceramic Heat Emitter overhead.

Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured by the probe of a digital thermometer

• 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) ground temperature right underneath a leo's warm dry hide
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. At night turn off overhead lighting/heating (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C).