Back Heat

[Ellie_A]

I have a leopard gecko rack with back heat and I'm wondering if that is ok?

One end of the tubs sits at 90 degrees and the other end is 72. Do I need to change it to belly heat?

 

[Ellie_A]

Thanks but this is for a rack not a tank

 

[cassicat4]

I'm not familiar with using rack systems, but does the bottom of the tubs absorb the heat from the overhead light? As in, when you say it's 90F, is that floor temp or air temp? There are many people who use slate or tile with no UTHs in their enclosures, for example, but use an overhead heat light which sufficiently heats up the tile and/or basking spot to provide the necessary heat required for digestion.

 

[SC Geckos]

I'm not familiar with using rack systems, but does the bottom of the tubs absorb the heat from the overhead light? As in, when you say it's 90F, is that floor temp or air temp? There are many people who use slate or tile with no UTHs in their enclosures, for example, but use an overhead heat light which sufficiently heats up the tile and/or basking spot to provide the necessary heat required for digestion.

??? There is no "overhead light" in a rack system that I have ever seen. Some racks come with back heat instead of belly heat. In most cases it is because it is a little cheaper/easier to put one large piece of heat tape down the back of the rack versus wiring up small strips for each shelf.

In regards to the OP's question, As long as your temps are good (which they seem to be) and you don't notice any issues like loss of appetite or runny stool then I think you will be fine. Belly heat is ideal but I have seen these type of racks (back heat) work fine. A friend of mine has a few dozen BP's and all his racks use back heat with no ill effects so I would think it would work fine for leos too.

 

[cassicat4]

??? There is no "overhead light" in a rack system that I have ever seen. Some racks come with back heat instead of belly heat. In most cases it is because it is a little cheaper/easier to put one large piece of heat tape down the back of the rack versus wiring up small strips for each shelf.

Sorry, still sleeping - I meant overhead heat (i.e. back heat), not light. Back to bed for me.

 

[SC Geckos]

Sorry, still sleeping - I meant overhead heat (i.e. back heat), not light. Back to bed for me.

LOL! Still not quite right.....To try and clarify, Back heat as the OP is referring to is not heating the back of the gecko. When you get certain types of rack systems some give you the option of belly heat (heat on the bottom of the tubs), or back heat (heating the back wall of the rack). So its really not heat from the bottom or top but from the side.

 

[cassicat4]

LOL! Still not quite right.....To try and clarify, Back heat as the OP is referring to is not heating the back of the gecko. When you get certain types of rack systems some give you the option of belly heat (heat on the bottom of the tubs), or back heat (heating the back wall of the rack). So its really not heat from the bottom or top but from the side.

LOL ok, I'm done now, I fail.

I was visualizing a snack rack I'd seen once where they had a heat pad (for lack of a better description as I know nothing about snakes or snake housing) on the outside of the bottom of each tub that was designed to emit heat into the tub below (they had me feel the heat coming off it just to show me). I don't know if this is a standard setup, or unique, or if they were confused ()but it was a neat idea, and that's what I was thinking was going on with Ellie's setup. But now I've been educated.

Is there a benefit to using back heat vs. belly heat? Or are the different options meant for different reptiles?

 

[Russellm0704]

Will back heat work Leo's? Yes, but not ideal

Is Belly heat the better choice that will help the gecko absorb the heat better? Absolutely