do i need a ultraviolet light bulb

[geckdude97]

im building a custom cage for my leopard geckos and im gonna use a uvb bulb but i was wondering if i should use a ultraviolet light bulb. cause theres not gonna be a heat mat to heat them at night so the ultra violet light i guess would heat them at night. :drummer:

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

There are many manufactures out there that have lighting for nocturnal reptiles that produce some heat to help with heating but also give light for you to see. i personally use a 36 inch light fixture from zilla with their 2 black nocturnal heat bulbs, i have heat mats but it helps in the winter in NE ohio on those cold nights.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I want to caution you with the UVB bulbs...I almost had a gecko die on me. Leos require NO UVB rays, and they can actually harm them, as their skin cannot process them unlike other basking reptiles.

She was 6 years old when I changed her to an R-Zilla 36" Fluorescent/UVB duo light setup. That was the only change I made, and that poor gecko lost all her color, would not open her eyes, would not eat, etc. I obviously changed that quickly, and she's 100% back to normal.

Why will you not have a UTH? They are a much better source of heat than a light bulb, at least in my experience.

 

[Geck-O]

I want to caution you with the UVB bulbs...I almost had a gecko die on me. Leos require NO UVB rays, and they can actually harm them, as their skin cannot process them unlike other basking reptiles.

She was 6 years old when I changed her to an R-Zilla 36" Fluorescent/UVB duo light setup. That was the only change I made, and that poor gecko lost all her color, would not open her eyes, would not eat, etc. I obviously changed that quickly, and she's 100% back to normal.

Why will you not have a UTH? They are a much better source of heat than a light bulb, at least in my experience.

+1. Check out this thread for a little more info.
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=28485

 

[geckdude97]

the reason why i can't use a heat mat is because the cag will be made of wood and the heat mat will heart the wood. and i can't put it in the tank because if they burrow down to the mat it'll burn em. this post is to leapinlizards of why i can't use a uth.

 

[Nigel4less]

the reason why i can't use a heat mat is because the cag will be made of wood and the heat mat will heart the wood. and i can't put it in the tank because if they burrow down to the mat it'll burn em. this post is to leapinlizards of why i can't use a uth.

Well first of all you need to do your Homework because UVB and Ultraviolet rays are the same thing except for the fact that there are two different types of Ultraviolet Rays A and B. Also you need NO LIGHTING Whatsoever for Leopards. But if you cannot have a UTH because of your wooden cage I would recommend a Red Light or Black Light both of which make decent heat sources.
Although I still recommend a UTH 100% as it will aid in Digestion and bodily functions much much more then a Light could ever come close to.

 

[fallen_angel]

We have a few cages that are heated with heat bulbs and all of the geckos have been thriving well. One thing we like to do is have something under the heat light that can absorb the heat, so the gecko can go lay on top of it and get some belly heat that way.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

i have my UTH sitting on a wooden desk and it has not harmed my desk at all.

 

[geckdude97]

thanks for the advice but i think im gonna go with what Nigel4less said about the bulbs.

 

[Nigel4less]

thanks for the advice but i think im gonna go with what Nigel4less said about the bulbs.

Again that wasn't my 100% recommendation, but in your situation I guess thats what is optimal for you.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Wow

I have to go with Nigel4less too.

Way to go Nigel4less.:main_thumbsup:

 

[sccrmanthatch]

UTH's dont harm wood at all. if it does then you have one that is much too hot.
You should be fine with it on wood.