Heating?

[Briannn]

What is a good under tank heater for my leopard gecko? Right now i'm using a red heat lamp and i was going to switch. i didn't know if i should buy the standard UTH from petsmart or if there's better ones out there..i know it's only supposed to cover half of the tank

EDIT: I just purchased a zoo-med undertank heater and it says that putting it on the side of the tank rather than the bottom is preferred if it's on a dresser. well i have nothing else to put mine on, and i am planning on using the rubber feet on the bottom but i cant put it on the side because i bought it to give my leopard gecko belly heat! has anyone had a real problem with this? i don't wana make a realllly bad mistake

 

[GeekyGecko]

They're overpriced at Petsmart, I think. If you can wait a couple of days, they are cheaper on Amazon or eBay. But then again I have Prime, so I don't have to pay shipping. They're also cheaper at Mom and Pop type stores. Also heat cable runs about $15. I've been using it no problems, with a rheostat/lamp dimmer to reduce the temp. Just use electric tape to tape it to the bottom of the tank.

 

[Briannn]

Hmmm okay thanks. I was thinking of ordering a zoo med uth and zoo med thermostat buy I'm not exactly sure how well the thermostat works.

 

[.leopardgeckos.]

The Zoo Med Thermostat works great. I have had it for about a year now and no problems whatsoever.

 

[Briannn]

Good to hear. is it necessary to switch from a heat lamp to UTH ASAP? he seems relatively happy and i feel as though a UTH would be too much work, because i'd have to buy both that and a thermostat and maybe even a second thermometer to check how hot it really is on the actual floor of the terrarium not the wall of it

 

[sweetgecko]

I am having heat mat issues. when I first installed the heat mat 2 weeks ago, it would only get up to 88°, now I found the heat mat I was using just fizzled out yesterday when i came home from work and the pet stores were closed at the time; the ground temp read 83° and my Leo is trying to get belly heat. I have a red heat lamp 50 watt bulb (only does so much when on), textured ceramic tile flooring (1/4"= 0.635cm), two hides (cool side and humid hide on warm side) put in a lot of ledges since my leo loves to climb, there is still ample room on the floor to move around. Back to what I was saying The heat mat died and I am still waiting for the pet store to open and since it is Sunday, I have to wait till noon.
My tank is a 15 gallon (have limited space and can only fit a 15 wide on a dresser)
the measurements are 24L (60.96 cm) by 12W (30.48cm) by 12H (30.48cm) and I think the wattage of the heat mat depends on many factors, is that true?. The substrate is a textured ceramic tile 12 (30.48cm) by12 (30.48cm), tile thickness is standard about a 1/4 inch (0.635cm).
I know that only a 1/3rd and up to a 1/2 of tank can be covered and it may take longer for the tiles to heat up.
I have a digital thermostat that regulates the temp for me when i am not home, so I don't have to keep guessing, but I do have a digital temp gun to double check just to make sure.
I think I may need a larger mat with a 16 watt or a 25 watt since it has to heat through the tile, but the mats are way too big and will spill over on the side of tank (I was told by a pet store 'that was dangerous and may catch fire').
I tried Zoo med, Exo Terra and they don't stay on the glass even if i make sure the glass is clean and free. they seem weak in adhesive and heat department. I am wondering if I should just place the heat mat inside the tank under the tile or would that cause the glass to crack. I forgot to mention the tank is sitting on my dresser in my bedroom, and the ac is running at 74°.
I am heat mat challenged and tired of going through so many heat mats that gave very little heat, and may be the wrong size.

 

[Russellm0704]

Good to hear. is it necessary to switch from a heat lamp to UTH ASAP? he seems relatively happy and i feel as though a UTH would be too much work, because i'd have to buy both that and a thermostat and maybe even a second thermometer to check how hot it really is on the actual floor of the terrarium not the wall of it

Yes it is necessary. The cost should not be an issue since the animal deserves top care requirements

 

[sweetgecko]

I don't care about the cost when it comes to Amir(a) (I have to look to see if it is a he or a she as to name properly).
I just need info on heat mats and what wattage is needed with a 1/4 inch ceramic tile. I just want a someone who knows what they are talking about, since the pet shop don't really have a clue (mom & pop pet store).
Living on a small island and two pet stores; one gives complete miss information and the other clueless and no answers.


I heard this a long time ago:
"We are the guardians and care givers, we have a responsibility to the animals great and small".

 

[grboxa]

I don't care about the cost when it comes to my leo or any pet.
I just need info on heat mats and what wattage is needed with a 1/4 inch ceramic tile. I just want a professional information, since the pet shop don't really have a clue (mom & pop pet store).
I hear this a long time ago:
"We are the guardians and care givers, we have a responsibility to the animals great and small".

Alot of people use zoo-med UTH. I personally been using it for basically a year without ANY problems. Just pick the appropriate sized UTH for your tank, should cover 1/3.. Thermostats don't need to be expensive, http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...id=1340552060&sr=8-1&keywords=reptitherm+500r. I use this one and its been working great for me, and relativley cheap. Just play around with the temperature dial and set the correct temperature. And just another suggestion, http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...340552103&sr=1-1&keywords=infared+thermometer is a great infared thermometer. It sounds like 'work', but it is a really easy setup which will make your geckos happy .

 

[Russellm0704]

I don't care about the cost when it comes to Amir(a) (I have to look to see if it is a he or a she as to name properly).
I just need info on heat mats and what wattage is needed with a 1/4 inch ceramic tile. I just want a someone who knows what they are talking about, since the pet shop don't really have a clue (mom & pop pet store).
Living on a small island and two pet stores; one gives complete miss information and the other clueless and no answers.


I heard this a long time ago:
"We are the guardians and care givers, we have a responsibility to the animals great and small".

Great Quote!:main_cool3:

 

[sweetgecko]

Thanks grboxa,
I just had issues with the adhesive not sticking which really frustrates me. The companies should improve better adhesive or a different way to attach the mats. I would consider a water proof inside the tank heat mat 14 watts or under with thermostat control.
I really appreciate you answer very much.