Leopard gecko tank placement?

[Animallover562]

Hello again!
I apologize for all the posts I’ve been making, new questions just keep coming up!
So I ordered everything for my upcoming gecko a couple days ago. For heating, I ordered the 11 by 17 ultratherm heat mat (I have a 20 gallon long) as well as a thermostat. The best place to put the tank is under a large window, the tank would be directly under it with no “direct sunlight” in the sense of being hit by rays. I have kept multiple aquariums in that same area and have never had major algae problems so I think the tank would be ok if placed there?
I will monitor the tank for a few days as best as I can before adding my gecko to see if there are any spikes in temperature. If it sounds like it may be dangerous for the gecko though, please let me know! It is possible for me to move the stand but it would require me to move a couple aquariums and cages too which is never fun.
Thank you for reading

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hello again!
I apologize for all the posts I’ve been making, new questions just keep coming up!
So I ordered everything for my upcoming gecko a couple days ago. For heating, I ordered the 11 by 17 ultratherm heat mat (I have a 20 gallon long) as well as a thermostat. The best place to put the tank is under a large window, the tank would be directly under it with no “direct sunlight” in the sense of being hit by rays. I have kept multiple aquariums in that same area and have never had major algae problems so I think the tank would be ok if placed there?
I will monitor the tank for a few days as best as I can before adding my gecko to see if there are any spikes in temperature. If sounds like it may be dangerous for the gecko though, please let me know! It is possible for me to move the stand but it would require me to move a couple aquariums and cages too which is never fun.
Thank you for reading

No need to be sorry. That's why Geckos Unlimited is here. There are many details when setting up a new animal.

What is the exposure of that window: southern, eastern, western? Is that window above the tank? Please share a picture of the tank right there.

Direct rays from the sun could overheat the tank. Are you are sure that sun rays won't reach the enclosure no matter what time of year?
Your leo will love the 11 x 17 inch Ultratherm heat mat! I hope you will too. :banana:

 

[Animallover562]

Thank you!
The window is north facing and it is directly above the tank leaving about 2 inches of space between the top of the tank and the window sill. I haven’t gotten the tank from my garage to the stand yet so I don’t have a picture but I made a basic diagram to show the setup! I hope it can help

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

View attachment 47703
Thank you!
The window is north facing and it is directly above the tank leaving about 2 inches of space between the top of the tank and the window sill. I haven’t gotten the tank from my garage to the stand yet so I don’t have a picture but I made a basic diagram to show the setup! I hope it can help

You're welcome.

Placing your leo's 20 gallon long tank as your diagram indicates should be perfectly fine.

Use Nashua tape in tape rolls, around the edges, and maybe an X over the top to secure the Ultratherm. Some members recommend a piece of styrofoam on top of the Ultratherm as the directions may suggest.

 

[Animallover562]

Ok thanks! Is the Nashua dryer vent installation tape the right one? Could I use electrical tape? I will also elevate the tank about a half inch for air flow, would the styrofoam go between the heat mat and bottom of the tank?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Ok thanks! Is the Nashua dryer vent installation tape the right one? Could I use electrical tape? I will also elevate the tank about a half inch for air flow, would the styrofoam go between the heat mat and bottom of the tank?

The Nashua tape I'm speaking of is electrical tape.

1/4 - 1/2 inch elevation at the corners and in the middle is great. Some keepers have used Pink Pearl erasers to elevate the tank.

Using Insulation Underneath the Heat Pad......Keith -- April 2018
"I suggest that an Ultratherm UTH is a must. The Ultratherm needs foam insulation under it, directing the heat upward and into the enclosure. From what I understand, other brands call for air under the UTH, which just allows heat to be lost! The fact that the Ultratherms should have foam insulation under them rather than air also says volumes about their safety. I only know this because I’m still setting up my Vivarium as well."

• First the glass enclosure bottom
• Then the Ultratherm heat mat
• Finally the styrofoam layer

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

How about continuing right here with heat pad issues? There's no need to begin a second thread for this.