Help with lighting for Leopard Gecko

[slewis07]

I’m hoping someone can help me. I have a 10 year old Leopard Gecko. I have a wooden viv with glass fronted doors which is 47 inches x 18 inches x 18 inches.

The tube brackets are in the middle of the roof and allow for a 33 inch tube light. I have the UVB on 7:30am - 7:30pm. Using an Arcadia D3 6%.

I don’t have a basking bulb atm, I’m using a heat mat under the substrate, which is currently newspaper, but I plan on changing this to a liner. The warm side is approx 94F and cool side around 79F.

Could you please let me know what UVB I should use?
Is the current tube bulb too big?
Where should I house the basking bulb?
Any other advice would be appreciated

 

[acpart]

I don't know if your leopard gecko spends a lot of time outside its hide or not. The Arcadia is probably a good choice but I don't really think a leopard gecko needs an additional basking light. In the wild I believe they are usually up and about around dawn and dusk when the sunlight isn't that strong.

Aliza

 

[slewis07]

Hi Aliza,

Thanks for your message. I haven’t used a basking bulb for years and he has been really healthy. He’s not out of his hides too much now. But members in other forums have said a basking bulb is necessary. He barely goes on the warm side now. He sleeps and stays in his moss box during the day, and doesn’t venture out til around 10pm, when he typically stays around the middle of the viv and only uses the warm side occasionally.

I’ve had him on sand all his life with a heat mat underneath, but following a recent impaction, I needed to change his substrate. I was planning on using this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BZP1NT3C/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

But I don’t really want to use a heat mat under this, hence the questions about the basking bulb.

I’d be grateful for any other advice. TIA.
Sally

 

[acpart]

A heat cable or heat mat with a thermostat to keep the temp from going over 90F should be fine with that. I don't see why a leopard gecko needs to bask when it isn't out during basking hours, but to each their own. My leopard geckos have ambient light only and despite the fact that they're all positive for cryptosporidiosis, they range in age from 7 1/2 to 15.

Aliza