HEATING PROBLEM

[jurme]

Hi, I have recently acquired a leopard gecko and am having trouble keeping it's tank warm enough due to the fact im living in a chilly basement apartment. I am using UTH and a heat lamp(75 watt Neodymium Basking spot lamp). What else might i be able to do for the time being until i get a new space heater?

 

[sammer021486]

If you have Styrofoam you can place it under the tank to help direct heat back into the tank or tin foil. Just make sure that there is some air flow or else you could crack your tank's bottom.

Or you can place tin foil over the top of the tank and a towel on top of the tin foil to insulate and reflect the heat back into the tank from the top of the tank.

 

[phoneguy]

What are you using to measure your temps? A UTH and a 75 watt bulb should be more than enough. A thermometer with a probe is the cheapest option to measure your temps with the probe on top of the substrate it should be in the mid 90's. Most store bought UTH's get too hot and need to be controlled with a thermostat or rheostat(you can use a lamp dimmer from a hardware store also for a cheaper rheostat). For a more expensive but more accurate temp. an infrared temp gun is the best but run about $30 you can pick up a thermometer with a probe for under $10 at most pet stores. I know its not really what you asked but I would be surprised if what you have now is not enough. Hope this helps.

 

[jurme]

If you have Styrofoam you can place it under the tank to help direct heat back into the tank or tin foil. Just make sure that there is some air flow or else you could crack your tank's bottom.

Or you can place tin foil over the top of the tank and a towel on top of the tin foil to insulate and reflect the heat back into the tank from the top of the tank.

This was very help full and does the trick during the day (while the light's on), but at night the temperature still drops below 20 degrees Celsius (roughly 50 Fahrenheit)... is this ok?

 

[Srt14292]

Thats way too cold for your gecko, you should be aiming 75F for your cold side..at the least..try getting a red bulb or ceramic heater, but a UTH on its own running at full power should aim to heat to about 10C over room temp, so should run at about 31-32C anyway..

 

[sammer021486]

If you have to switch out the red light for a ceramic heater, that way you are able to maintain the temps, but have no worries of the light bothering you.

 

[Samantha]

i would put a uth on the side of the tank too