Heat problems

[XNirvanaFreakX]

I checked the heat in the tank today with a digital thermometer. In the hide, the temp kept fluctuating anywhere from 92 to 98 degrees. On the warm side of the tank, outside of the hide, it's about 80. And on the cold side it's about 73. I had the UTH on with a heating lamp before, but I've since turned the lamp off and now the temperatures are what I said above..
Any ideas on how to get the temperature more constant on the warm side? And how to raise it on the cold side? Also, what are the ideal temps I should be aiming for?

And just a little info that may help in determining how to fix this-- currently there's sand in the tank as a substrate. I don't know which would be better to help with the heat problems - tile or paper towels, or both?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[david13]

I don't know if you now about this and i see you are a new member but leos can get impacted by sand so it is best to switch the substrate, i am using tiles. Also if you have a thermostat with a probe that will solve your problem.

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

^ Thanks, I do realize that. I bought my gecko a week ago from a lady who used sand for a year with her, and I am going to change it soon. I do plan on changing it, but I didn't know which would be best to help with the heat problems I'm having - tiles or paper towels.

 

[david13]

once you get a thermometer if you don't have one i like tile because it absorbs the heat and makes it nice and cozy warm

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

Yeah, I was thinking of going with tile. But then with the temps in the hide being anywhere from 92-98 right now.. I'm not sure how I'd make that temp lower, while making the surrounding areas on the warm side higher.

 

[david13]

do you have a thermostat?

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

No, I don't. I've looked at a few and I'm not sure what the best one to get would be.

 

[david13]

here is a cheap one i got and it keeps the temp perfect. I think tile is very good substrate.

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...e-1000-watt-electronic-thermostat-with-probe/

 

[Ccrashca069]

I use a Herpstat Dig Proportional Thermostat on my rack. It cost $109 at bean farm. The cheap ZooMed 500R should work good for just the tank.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thats also a pretty good one also David. I forgot about that one.

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

Thanks David That was one of the ones I was looking at.

 

[david13]

no problem

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

My gecko's also been acting kind of weird today.. She's been under her hide on the cool side for most of the day, except for a couple times when she's come out and curled up in her food dish ...

I'm thinking her behavior is because of the temperatures being off?

 

[david13]

i dont know about the feed dish part but my gecko stays in her moist hide on the cool side 18 hours of the day

 

[liljenn]

Sounds like it is too hot. Mine hung out on the cool side too when I first got it (in the food dish too!) because I wasn't checking temps ON the floor. I don't know if you know this, but you need to measure the temp ON the floor where the UTH is to get the correct temps. (I didn't know when I was new!) A digital thermometer with a probe works great. Here is one:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/thermometers/511260/zoo-med-digital-terrarium-thermometer.html.

This is the thermostat I use in my tank & it works great:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/thermometers/502819/zoo-med-reptitemp-thermometer-sensor.html

Oh, and ditch the sand - use a solid substrate.

 

[XNirvanaFreakX]

Thanks Yeah, I know to check the temps on the floor. They seem to be better today, about 76 on the cool side and 92 on the warm side.
This is the thermometer I have: http://www.petmountain.com/product/...ttery-digital-thermometer-for-terrariums.html

 

[david13]

I got a temp gun so i can use it for anything. I love it, its so much easier