I have a 4 months female Leopard gecko (5,5"-6" long) in an Exo Terra Terrarium 18"X18"X12". Can this terrarium still be good for an adult gecko. I use an 11"X11" heating mat 14W bought yesterday (the thermostat still hasn't arrived), yesterday evening I've managed to reach 75-77 °C on the "hot zone", but today he didn't work. Could the Gecko survive temperature lower than 64 °F and higher than 91 °F? Is the mat too big and too weak? My gecko pass most of the time in the den of the "hot zone", but today I've managed to feed it.
Terrarium and Heating problem
- Thread starter Gekkuzzo
- Start date
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
My reply on one of your earlier threads covers some of this: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ing-issues-/84151-diet-feeding-questions.html
Pictures of your leo's enclosure will really help us out.
I don't know whether you can get the necessary thermal gradient with an 18 x 18 x 12 inch Exo Terra and an 11 x 11 inch heat mat. However, your current heat mat is defective. WHEN the 11 x 11 inch heat mat is controlled by a thermostat, there's a possibility it will work.
What type substrate are you using?
Pictures of your leo's enclosure will really help us out.
- Are those temps air or ground temps?
- What type thermometer have you?
- 88-92*F ground temperature under the warm dry hide right on the substrate is what you want.
- Cool end should range from the high 70s to the mid 60s at night.
- What is the room temperature during the day and during the night? *C are fine. I have a C-->F conversion chart handy.
I don't know whether you can get the necessary thermal gradient with an 18 x 18 x 12 inch Exo Terra and an 11 x 11 inch heat mat. However, your current heat mat is defective. WHEN the 11 x 11 inch heat mat is controlled by a thermostat, there's a possibility it will work.
What type substrate are you using?
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Synthetic short grass, both in day and night the room temperature range is 18-21 °C, I use a digital Reptiland thermometer, the sonde is on the ground.
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
18-21*C is OK for the cool end.
What type backing does your synthetic short grass have?
- Maybe the backing prevents the heat from reaching your leo.
- Try your 11 x 11 inch heat mat with paper towels first.
Good thermostats:
- Hydrofarm's Jump Start MTPRTC thermostat from Amazon -- $20 USD
- Apollo's digital thermostat from Amazon -- $20 USD
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