Help W/ Heating Pedro

[maddie416]

I just got my new leopard gecko Pedro and it doesn't look like he's doing so well. I think it might be the heating system. I have in two tempature gauges (one on the hot;one on the cool side) and the one on the cool side reads about 70 sometimes lower. On the hot side it reads 75. I got really worried so I added a lamp from my room... I know I'm not supposed to do that since they are nocturnal but I had no choice. Since my tank sits directly on the counter I can't put the heating pad on the bottom.. So I put it on the side; which is prefered the directions told me. So why isn't it getting to the correct tempo true in there? Some additional information is that I have a ten gallon tank with a ten gallon tank heater called zoo something(can't really remember) the floor is newspaper to! Thanks for your help:main_laugh:

 

[Cwaller]

The heat pad needs to be on floor they need belly heat to digest food properly you can place dominos under each corner of tank to raise off counter a little

 

[Ruvik]

When you buy a heating pad they normally come with clear sticky nobs to put on each corner of your tank to raise ti up for the heating pad. Do get one. I know my Exoterra ones came with it.

 

[Music City Geckos]

Also, are the temperature gauges the ones that are stick on the sides of the glass? Unfortunately if they are, the are pretty much useless for leopard geckos as they rely on the belly heat more than the ambient heat. Also, do you have a thermostat to control the heating pad? You need the raise up the tank slightly so the air can pass under the tank. You also need to move your heating pad to back under the tank. Then get a $20 thermostat and place the probe under the warm hide and set the temp to 90 degrees and you should be good to go.

i would also recommend getting a leopard gecko care sheet/book. There is also a wealth of information on this forum for the proper care of your new friend.

 

[maddie416]

Thank you! I followed your advice and he already seems much better!

 

[Ruvik]

I'm glad to hear. I would love to see a picture of your set up. Another nice thing to have is a temp gun. I have one and it works wonderfully and helps me keep track of my ground temp in every part of the cage. Also the cool thing about the temp gun is that you can also check the temp of you gecko by pointing it at his/her body.