Bulbs or UT Heaters?

[LunaMarcusCarlisle]

We have two tanks.
One 20g with three females. We use an undertank heater on one side and let the other side rest at room temperature. During the day we have a lamp keeping them warm and we keep that off at night.

For our Juveniles we have a 10g and pretty much the same set up.

We've been reading mixed opinions on using lights, how it might stress them out. That it's too much heat.

I guess what I'm asking is

• What's the proper temperature for the hot/cold side
• Should we be using only UT Heaters?
• Is there a danger to using the UV lamps with them?

 

[LeopardShade]

What's the proper temperature for the hot/cold side

Warm side temperatures can generally range from around 88-95 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. You can provide them with night temperature drops of around 5-10 degrees, but many don't and the geckos aren't affected by it. Cold side temperatures can remain at room temperature, provided that the room is not too cold (below 70 degrees or such)

Should we be using only UT Heaters?

A good UTH connected to a thermostat to regulate the temperature is the optimal and most-recommended heating source for these geckos. If additional heating is needed to maintain proper temperatures, you can use overhead heating sources. However, if you continue to do so, I would refrain from bright lighting and go with a infrared bulb or a ceramic heat emitter. The latter choice would probably be better, as it produces heat with no emitted light.

Is there a danger to using the UV lamps with them?

There is no danger to using supplemental lighting; if anything there may be a slight benefit. I say only slight because leopard geckos are crepuscular, and are not basking lizards. During the day they will most likely be asleep, and will most likely not spend their time resting on a perch and basking. The beneficial vitamin D3 elicited by the presence of UVB rays will most likely not be readily absorbed by the gecko as say a bearded dragon would. Due to this, I feel that UVB lights are unnecessary and excessively bright when it comes to keeping leopard geckos, and therefore don't use them. The geckos get their vitamin D in the form of powder supplements instead.

 

[LunaMarcusCarlisle]

Thank you! ^_^ Gonna run out and buy a couple heat emitters now.