so i set my leo up in his home yesterday for the first time, i had a UTH but it bairly hit 80 on the hot side, so today i added a red heat light and its in the mid 80s but for some reason he doesnt go on the hot side anymore, he stays in the middle or the cool side, is it just because hes trying to get used to his new home or is it to hot?
a random, maybe stupid question.
- Thread starter ReptileRy
- Start date
You've already posted a similar topic on this earlier. More than likely the warm side is too hot, but you are not noticing this because you have a steel dial thermometer that you said you have.
You need a digital thermometer with a probe to get an accurate temp reading. The dial thermos don't read surface temp, only air temperature.
You need a digital thermometer with a probe to get an accurate temp reading. The dial thermos don't read surface temp, only air temperature.
acharpenter
New Member
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- Minnesota
I really hope others with more experiance chime in here but since you asked me to check this issue out. I will give it my best
From my reasearch I have found that the average ideal temp is between 88-94
Your hot hide is too cool at 80 (THAT IS IF YOUR TEMP GAUGE IS CORRECT AT READING 80)
What type of substrate are you using over the UTH?
What type of temp sensor are you using?
One thing I like to keep in mind about heat is that human body temp is 98 - do you think it would be too hot for your Gecko to rest on your skin at 98? Probably not right?
That doesnt mean I suggest setting your hot side at 98 - just saying that is a good example of the temp differences.
I have a UTH in Geek's hot hide set on a controller for 90. It fluctuates between 88 and 92 and sits below a tile.
I also have a red lamp on the hot side on Geeks rock perch and that stays right about 87-89
On the cool side I have a black heat light that keeps the temp at about 78 or so
All this is in a 40 gallon breeder tank that is 36" long and 18" front to back.
This way Geek has many different temps he can regulate himself at
Lastly - I just want to note that the heat bulbs warm the substrate so he can regulate his belly heat as Gecko's are are belly heat. They dont bask....
I hope this helps and please take it for what its worth. I am 5 months new to Gecko's. Everything I have said here is based on my research
From my reasearch I have found that the average ideal temp is between 88-94
Your hot hide is too cool at 80 (THAT IS IF YOUR TEMP GAUGE IS CORRECT AT READING 80)
What type of substrate are you using over the UTH?
What type of temp sensor are you using?
One thing I like to keep in mind about heat is that human body temp is 98 - do you think it would be too hot for your Gecko to rest on your skin at 98? Probably not right?
That doesnt mean I suggest setting your hot side at 98 - just saying that is a good example of the temp differences.
I have a UTH in Geek's hot hide set on a controller for 90. It fluctuates between 88 and 92 and sits below a tile.
I also have a red lamp on the hot side on Geeks rock perch and that stays right about 87-89
On the cool side I have a black heat light that keeps the temp at about 78 or so
All this is in a 40 gallon breeder tank that is 36" long and 18" front to back.
This way Geek has many different temps he can regulate himself at
Lastly - I just want to note that the heat bulbs warm the substrate so he can regulate his belly heat as Gecko's are are belly heat. They dont bask....
I hope this helps and please take it for what its worth. I am 5 months new to Gecko's. Everything I have said here is based on my research
Last edited:
Russ S
Re-Member
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- 877
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- New Jersey
You need either an infrared thermometer or a probe type thermometer to properly check temps on the floor of the cage.
Russ S
Re-Member
- Messages
- 877
- Location
- New Jersey
Place a thermometer on the floor on the hot side (directly below the heat bulb) for about 10 minutes and check the temperature. It is likely that you are making the cage too hot using an UTH and heat bulb.
I would turn the lamp off for now. I did a test run the other day with just my UTH running with no thermostat controlling the temperature. On my steel dial thermometer, it said about 75-80 degrees. Then I put my probe thermometer in there and the temp. was 109 degrees.
Don't rely on the dial thermometer. Hope I've helped, just want to make sure your gecko is happy and content!
jerrymb
New Member
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- New Jersey
The outside of human skin is well below 98F. 98.6 is internal human body temperature.
That should be fine, some say the bright light bothers the gecko, but I wouldn't know because I've never tried.
Also, once you get your probe thermometer, if the temp is in fact too hot, just put some cardboard, paper towels, or extra carpet under the main layer of reptile carpet. Just mess around until you get the right temp!
Also, once you get your probe thermometer, if the temp is in fact too hot, just put some cardboard, paper towels, or extra carpet under the main layer of reptile carpet. Just mess around until you get the right temp!
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