heating

[kanomill]

Hi i just got a leo gecko and im new to all this =)

i have a few questions about the temp first of the temp on the hot side should be about 30c is that the floor temp or air? and the cold side should be about 24 and again is that floor or air?

atm my heat mat isn't hot enough ( hot side is 25C) so would i need to get a higher watt heat mat or something else?

just letting you no i have had the heat mat on for about a day and ahalf if that effects anything.

any help would be appretiated.

many thanks

 

[Pinned27]

You want to be monitoring floor temps, not air. Leos need belly heat to help digestion so floor temp is a must. And a good range is 31-35 on the hot (inside the warm hide), and usually if you have it hot enough on that side the cold side should be in a good range. Also make sure the heatmat is the proper one for your size tank. should cover at least 1/3 of the bottom.
And what type of substrate are you using, this can also affect heat transfer to your leo. Plus your heatman should stay on 23/7, no need to shut it off, it can stay at 31-35 all through out the day and night.
And if you still cant reach the desired temps, you can get a ceramic heat emitter and attack it to a light dimmer to control the heat output and get it to the right temps.

Hope this helps.

 

[kanomill]

hey thanks for the quick reply. i am using sand atm but i plan on getting slate tiles in the very near future and a bigger terra for her as she is a bit big for the one im using now. and i just checked the temp and the sand is now at 29c which is better. the new terra im thinking of getting is a 18x18x18 exo terra

http://www.pygmychameleonshop.com/Exo_Terra_Glass_Terrarium_18x18x18 inches

but if you no of a better one for her ill be happy to listen.

Thanks again

 

[Pinned27]

I would get her off the sand right away! That is very bad for leos as it can cause impaction.
And i could recommend a 20gallon long tank. You dont need the height as they are the best of climbers, more room to walk around would be better. Just any aquarium tank would work good then just get a metal screen top for it.

 

[kanomill]

yeah i know about the sand but it kinda came with it and thats why i got a little food bowl and am feeding her mealworms to reduce the chance untill i get the new tank and flooring.

all of which i should be getting within a week. i would have it all today but nowhere around be stocks the stuff i need ><

 

[Pinned27]

a simple solution would be to take out the sand and use paper towels. MUCH safer than sand and cheap.

 

[kanomill]

Yeah i think your right im gonna do it now in fact. i feel a little sorry for her i think she is a bit stressed with the moving and such that she hasnt eaten in 3 days im not really sure if thats the normal. plus i dont no if she was fed the day i got her or not ><

 

[Pinned27]

Yes shes prolly just stressed from the move. Just keep trying to feed her at a specific time each day and she will come out eventually.

 

[J&K's Lemy]

you should get some slate to cover the sand
sand can help with the heat transfer
if the sand is covered up with slate your leo shouldn't be able to eat it

or you can just remove the sand and get slate
whatever you are more comfortable with

floor temps can be up to 94f(don't know the celsius temp) on your hot side
I keep mine at 90f. I don't like them being any warmer than 94f

 

[kanomill]

first of thanks too you both.
really just wanna give her the best life possible and make sure she is well looked after.

so that leads me too 2 more questions

1. is there anyway i can entice her to eat? its been 3 days and where im not worried i am keeping an eye on it.

2. when i leave my room to go out/work i switch the light off. and wheni come back it is normally dark. so the question is does switching the light on hurt her eyes / startle her like a human. as when i have been coming in iv been using my flash on my phone too see where i am going.

thanks again!

 

[J&K's Lemy]

geckos are somewhat photosynsitive
some more so than others and some less so
what kind of live bugs are you feeding?
I feed mealworms crickets & superworms
in that order
do you bowl feed or tong feed? Or do you just throw in the bugs?

 

[kanomill]

iv been trying meal worms and then crickets and iv tryed tongs and and i leave them in the feeding bowl just incase she wants them later.