Heat and flucuation

[rmb0123]

Im currently trying to run 3 uth's off of my rheostat, and the temps arn't even close in each cage. One cage is 89, just perfect, and the other is reading 95. What i did is took an extension cord, plugged it into the rheostat then plugged in all three uth's into the extension cord, so i could control all of them and keep them all at the same temp, but its not working, anyone else try this?? what am i doing wrong?

 

[ataber]

same size and model of uth?

 

[rmb0123]

to the T. i even read about 123435534 posts on this before i went out and got it all too... cant seem to get all the temps the same

 

[rmb0123]

Sorry, yah same size tanks, same size uth's. All are the one step up from the 17.99 dollar ones. Think they might be mediums, they fit under my 10 gallons just perfect

 

[rmb0123]

the probe is placed ontop of the paper towel substrate, not underneath, just so everyone knows...

 

[eric]

i have noticed with my uth's is that they have hot spots one part is 101* and another part is 90* also if you have a temp gun to shoot the temps that might give you a better more accurate read...when you plug them all in at the same time was the extension cord unplugged? and where they all the same room temp when you plugged them in that can make a big difference..hope this helps..

 

[rmb0123]

the second tank just seems to be super sporadic. Rising way faster then the rest. 1st tank is at 88, 2nd tank is 95, third tank is 86. And the rheostat is at the lowest setting

 

[rmb0123]

def got some hot spots...just took out the thermostat out of the 2nd tank and put it back in another place, almost all 3 tanks are staying almost the exact same now...weird...got worried for a second...thanks

 

[eric]

no problem..if the highest temp is 95 or 96 you can put a couple of paper towels in the tank to help .and at those temps (95-96) your gecko will be fine..

 

[rmb0123]

right on, i figured they wouldnt mind a lil extra heat and they would move to a part of the pad that has less heat anyway, if they got too hot. I woke up this morning and 2 tanks were at 84 and the other was 88. Think its time a got a temp gun just to stay on track of it a little closer. Prolly just to make me feel better haha

 

[rmb0123]

The heat pads are staying in the low 80's at night, but the ambient air is way low at 65 cause my house gets colder in the winter. I noticed if i turn my overhead red bulb heat lamp on it gets too hot. And they are 50watt bulbs....any suggestions?

 

[acpart]

Try putting aluminum foil under the UTH. It seems to increase the heat output and maybe you'll get better heat retention at night.

Aliza

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Eric is right. If you are trying to control 3 UTH's on the same controller and only one probe, you have to plug them in all at the same time. Let all of them cool to room temperature, plug all three into one power strip, plug the power strip into the controller, and then plug that in. This way, all UTH's will be on the same power cycle.

 

[rmb0123]

K. I got all the tanks at the same temp, or so i thought... these hot spots are throwing me off a bit i think. Either that or im just being too worried. Last night before bed, i saw all the tanks were in the high 80's- real low 90's. Just perfect. Figured the temps would drop about 5 degrees at night. I woke up this morning and 2 tanks were at 95 pushin 96 and the other was at 88-89 still. Maybe theres a better way to postition the probes to take a more accurate reading...? Right now i have them taped on top of the paper towel under their hides. I can get pics of housing if anyone needs to see. Im using a zoomed rheostat, maybe i need a better one, more accurate? I do notice that when i take their hides out, and the probe isnt covered anymore, the temp comes back down. Those probes take ambient air temps too right? so its probably just reading the floor and ambient air inside the box?? im not sure. Maybe i need to change my setup, i just dont want to stress them out by moving them around and changing things. Im pretty sure its good though. its setup just like what everyone has said to set it up like.

 

[eric]

Ok try this...make sure you remove your geckos before doing this disconnect the rheostat completely connect the uth's back into the extension cord check your temps after about an hour or two...if the temps on the floor are hotter than 100 degrees place as many paper towels down until the reading is where you want it from what your saying each tank should have a different amount of paper towels or if all the temps are the same you have a bad rheostat!! if its bad i would buy a thermostat from www.lllreptiles.com they have a thermostat thats about $30 and it got great reviews for its price and accuracy for the price. did you say if you have a temp gun? if you don't go to www.tempgun.com i got mine for less than $20 shipped good investment!!

 

[rmb0123]

yah im actually gonna order that temp gun right now. And today i went out and grabbed a zoo med repti temp 500r, keeps all the tanks at a more stable temp. I was getting tired of always adjusting that rheostat. O well. I got a brand new rheostat if anyone is on a budget, or any kids tryin to start there own leopard gecko tank. Pay shipping and its yours. Actually, shipping wont even be that much. It's pretty small. Thanks for the advise as usual guys. The geckos are def. eating more and coming out more.