Beginner heating question

[ImNotYogi]

I'm new to reptiles and still setting up the tank for the leo. It gets in the 90s here so would it be okay to just unplug the UTH during the day? I always turn my AC off if I'm not at home. Or do they absolutely need a temp gradient during the day? Since leos are nocturnal I'm guessing he'll be hanging out in a hide during the day anyway.

 

[Crewdog00]

You need belly heat 24/7 so the Leo can digest food and warm itself. I use a thermostats and UTH. Lighting is not needed. Some people use a basking light to keep temps within range. The surface of the floor on the warm side is more important than the air temp. So your room could be 90 but the substrate could be 80-85 degrees, which IMO is too low for the warmest part of your tank.

My cool side ranges from 70-75 degrees and my warm side is 90-95 degrees. These temps on taken with a temp gun on the floor and inside the hides. My air temp is around 80-85 degrees.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[acpart]

If the floor of the tank gets into the 90's and you're using a thermostat with a probe with your UTH, it will shut off at that temp anyway and then you don't have to worry about remembering to turn the UTH on and off. I don't think there would be a significant financial savings anyway.

Aliza