Should the Heat Mat Feel Hot?

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CheshireGleam

New member
I'm using a small zoo med UTH plugged into a Jump Start thermostat in a 10 gallon tank (will be upgrading when the gecko is older). I haven't gotten a gecko yet because I want to make sure the heating is working like it's supposed to. I just set the tank up about an hour ago with Eco Earth as the substrate. So, as the title asks, should the heat mat through the glass bottom feel hot or at least warm? I set the thermostat to 88 degrees F. It's been continually fluctuating between 86-88 degrees F and still feels cool. Is this normal or could something be faulty?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Please continue on this thread for all husbandry type questions. When one does so, it's much easier to follow your planning. It gives anyone who stops by the thread the "big picture". :)

Please share a photo of your 10 gallon. Eco Earth is an insulator. It may block some heat.

Temperatures can really only be judged by thermometers. I recommend one of those yellow Zoo Med thermometers with a probe for about $10. That's necessary to verify your thermostat's setting. I recommend setting your Jump Start thermostat at 91*. What size UTH have you? 4 x 5? 6 x 8?

A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer (and controlled by a thermostat set at 91*F/32.8*C):
  • 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).
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
Here's the tank and the new gecko I finally picked up today: http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/CheshireGleam/library/Leopard Gecko?sort=3&page=1

It is 10 grams and has a few missing toes but otherwise in good condition, very docile and ate 15 mealworms by hand an hour or so after I picked him up (calling it a him instead of it). The thermostat is working normally as is the heat mat. I bought an infrared thermometer to tell the the temperatures. The size of the heat mat is 6 x 8 inches. As a side note, does anyone know what morph he is? I'm not at all able to identify them especially as hatchlings/juveniles. Thanks.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Where have you placed your thermostat's probe? My temp recommendations are based upon placing the probe right on top of the substrate underneath the warm dry hide. Take a temp gun reading there too.

Set the thermostat @ 91*F. Temps will rise a little after the thermostat shuts off and drop a couple degrees before it turns on again. That's expected. :)

For morph questions please post here:
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/leopard-geckos-morphs-and-genetics-/
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
The probe is right on top of the heat mat under the hide where I've been pointing the heat gun and the thermostat is set to 91 degrees. Thanks and will do.
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
Sorry, thought I should make a new post for each individual question. Won't happen again. Anyway, my leo is doing fine now, he's gained seven grams since I got him on the fifth of this month and is eating regularly.
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
Is it possible to get a heat mat and use duct tape to layer on the sticky side to make is reusable? I've seen others do something similar but I'm not sure how to go about it and don't want to ruin a perfectly good heating mat.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
CheshireGleam said:
Is it possible to get a heat mat and use duct tape to layer on the sticky side to make is reusable? I've seen others do something similar but I'm not sure how to go about it and don't want to ruin a perfectly good heating mat.
Click to expand...

Do you wish to use duct tape at the beginning or to re-stick the heat mat after you've removed it?
  • Duct tape could make one sticky mess!
It's the internal wires that can get damaged when a heat mat is removed. It's important for the heat mat to stick snugly underneath the glass enclosure.
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
No, I'm not going to remove one that is already stuck to the bottom of the glass. I was asking in the case of getting a new one for my roaches. I don't have to use duct tape, it's just what I've seen others use to make a heat mat reusable. I'm not sure what else I could use to accomplish this so any suggestions would be helpful. If there a none though, I'll apply it normally to the bottom of their enclosure.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
CheshireGleam said:
Is it possible to get a heat mat and use duct tape to layer on the sticky side to make is reusable? I've seen others do something similar but I'm not sure how to go about it and don't want to ruin a perfectly good heating mat.
Click to expand...

CheshireGleam said:
No, I'm not going to remove one that is already stuck to the bottom of the glass. I was asking in the case of getting a new one for my roaches. I don't have to use duct tape, it's just what I've seen others use to make a heat mat reusable. I'm not sure what else I could use to accomplish this so any suggestions would be helpful. If there a none though, I'll apply it normally to the bottom of their enclosure.
Click to expand...
Ultratherm heat mats and heat tape sold by the Bean Farm or on Amazon ARE reusable.

To secure an Ultratherm UTH or heat tape use many tape rolls all over. Then tape down the edges with electrical tape, not duct tape. A cross over the middle makes the heat mat fit more snugly.
 
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CheshireGleam

New member
Okay thank you. I just bought a thermostat to go with it, didn't want to run the risk of damaging anything. I'll keep that in mind for next time though.
 
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