Changed to paper towels...

Gecko977

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187
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USA
I should have listened to people on here about reptile carpet but I didn't. My gecko's teeth got stuck so I switched to paper towels. I have 2 layers of paper towel in my tank. Is this enough to prevent my gecko from being burnt by the UTH? Also how often does it need to be changed. My leo poops in a corner so, so far I have just been tearing that corner out and putting a new ripped of piece big enough for the corner. Is this ok?
 

jerrymb

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232
Location
New Jersey
I should have listened to people on here about reptile carpet but I didn't. My gecko's teeth got stuck so I switched to paper towels. I have 2 layers of paper towel in my tank. Is this enough to prevent my gecko from being burnt by the UTH? Also how often does it need to be changed. My leo poops in a corner so, so far I have just been tearing that corner out and putting a new ripped of piece big enough for the corner. Is this ok?

I change my paper towels once a week unless he poops on a piece and then I take the whole piece right out and change it. I have just one layer.
 

OnlineGeckos

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1,407
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SoCal
It helps also for the pooping corner to just lay an extra folded sheet there. That way you don't have to tear the corner of the base paper towels.

You also want to test your own temperature using a digital thermometer probe. Nobody here can tell you whether your temperature is good or not by how many layers of paper towels you have.
 

Gecko977

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187
Location
USA
Okay I actually have talked to someone that has the same heater and tank size as me. They only use one layer of paper towels and their temps. are ideal. I put an extra layer just to be safe but I feels warm when I lay my hand on the part that has the UTH.
 

SDCowboy

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292
You might want to try slate tile. It looks infinitely better, costs less than paper towels and lasts forever.
 

OnlineGeckos

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SoCal
If you still don't know what the hot spot temperature is by now, you really should get a digital thermometer to test the floor temperature. They are $7, skip your next lunch or starbucks visit, you can afford it.

And I echo the above, slate tiles ftw.
 

jerrymb

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232
Location
New Jersey
If you still don't know what the hot spot temperature is by now, you really should get a digital thermometer to test the floor temperature. They are $7, skip your next lunch or starbucks visit, you can afford it.

And I echo the above, slate tiles ftw.

Where is a good place to order a digital therm from? Can you recommend a specfic thermometer?
 
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Gecko977

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187
Location
USA
If you still don't know what the hot spot temperature is by now, you really should get a digital thermometer to test the floor temperature. They are $7, skip your next lunch or starbucks visit, you can afford it.

And I echo the above, slate tiles ftw.

By the time you pay for shipping it's more than the thermometers worth if you buy online and every pet store near me only has 2 probe thermometers and they are $30 a piece. I've watched and studied my leo's behavior very much such as staying on the cool side etc. He is always on the warm side so that tells me it's not too warm. His food is digested good so that tells me its warm enough.
 

SDCowboy

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292
By the time you pay for shipping it's more than the thermometers worth if you buy online and every pet store near me only has 2 probe thermometers and they are $30 a piece. I've watched and studied my leo's behavior very much such as staying on the cool side etc. He is always on the warm side so that tells me it's not too warm. His food is digested good so that tells me its warm enough.

Just go to any pet store and pick up a Zilla digital probe thermometer for under $10.
 

Gecko977

New Member
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187
Location
USA
Any pet store within reasonable distance from me only has the $30 one. No joke. Everyone of them are the two probes.
 

OnlineGeckos

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Location
SoCal
Where is a good place to order a digital therm from? Can you recommend a specfic thermometer?

If you don't want to buy one from the local pet stores, you can order from amazon for free shipping & no taxes. Like this one for an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digit...3MFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308346252&sr=8-1

or http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Aquarium-Terrarium-Thermometer-Black/dp/B0017N8W90/ref=pd_sbs_k_2

this one you find in pet stores: http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Zilla-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B001F97K62/ref=pd_sbs_k_33


Many people will also recommend a thermostat to control your UTH temperature. It's probably a good idea to have one because UTH can get too hot. I use slate tiles so that's not a problem for me, as the thicker tiles makes the temperature just about right 90-95.


Edit: I should also say spending a tad more, you can get a temperature gun instead. It's great if you have many leos and several tanks. I have 7 tanks myself and the gun allows me to check the temperature easily every feeding. Just point and click to check various spots in the tank.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YE3FS4
 
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Franklinj480

New Member
Messages
111
Location
Arizona
$30, or assured gecko's health... *weighs them on each hand* hmm, tough call. A probed thermometer shipped can't be more than $20.
 

Adinar

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1,275
Location
Elizabethville, PA
Petco has them for about $7 or $8. Brand is Zoo Med.

I guess if you are desperate enough you could try walmart (in the hardware section) or lowes (usually in the green house or in the general garden area), I've seen some digital weather thermometers that are about midsize. I would assume some have probes, but you would have to look to be sure.

Either way it's an extremly good investment to make. Then that way you know your temps are where they need to be to ensure a happy gecko. Then you will know if your UTH is running too hot. If it is get a rheostat or even a lamp dimmer. We're currently trying out a lamp dimmer for the first time and so far so good. Only cost $17 at Lowe's and picked it up when we got the tile cut for the tanks.
 

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