Another Heating Question

[Dexter07]

I am very thankful for this forum. I have had my adult Leo, Taz, for a little over one month. He is my first Leo and I am excited about him. He lives in a 20 gallon long tank in my office. Has 3 hides and a UTH for a 30 gallon tank. Taz took a while to acclimate and was slow in starting to eat. His appetite is now much better.

However, I am worried his environment is not hot enough. The UTH holds heat around 80-82 degrees at the bottom of his one hide. The air temp is much cooler (about 72-75 degrees). I am using Echo Earth in the bottom of his tank with a thin layer on the hot side and a thicker layer on the cool side. He spends almost no time on the cool side of his tank. So I am now considering adding a CHE above the warm side to help increase the air temp so I can maintain the bottom temp. Already use thermostat to regulate, plus check temp periodically with a temp gun.

I don't want to make things too hot, but worry he is not getting the correct amount of heat needed. Can you provide any suggestions?

 

[Geecko123]

80-82 degrees at the bottom of his one hide. The air temp is much cooler (about 72-75 degrees). what side is this? the warm side should be 90-91 and the cool side 70-72 a CHE will help a lot if needed.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

What OFF temp have you set on your thermostat?
What dimensions is Taz's heat mat?

How about experimenting with a 12 x 12 inch ceramic tile directly on top of the heat mat? Skip any coco fiber on top. Textured ceramic tile ~3/8 inch thick conducts heat well.

Belly heat is recommended for most the heat. For a 20 long I suggest upgrading your heat mat to an 11 x 17 inch Ultratherm. Otherwise you're playing catch up with the CHE. If you use a heat mat + a CHE you'll need 2 thermostats since both are set at different temps.

Place the warm hide and the warm humid hide directly above your UTH.

 

[Sg612]

Taz took a while to acclimate and was slow in starting to eat.

It may have been temperature related. Ideal daytime temps should be 75-85 air. Ground warm side 85-95f. Every Leo is different and so observation is key.Start with the highest temp and if the leo avoids the warm hide, drop it by 2 degrees until he’s comfortable. I had a Leo that would not lay on a surface higher than 86.

I’m not sure if it’s the eco earth causing the low temps or if your UTH is faulty? I recommend you switch substrate to something safer. Eco earth is messy and can cause impaction if your Leo suffers dehydration. Slate tiles work very well.