Hi, I'm new and need help!

[Katherine]

Hey everyone, I'm actually a member of tortoiseforum.com and got linked to from a member. I just got a cute little leopard gecko today and I have a problem. I've read that the under the tank heater temps should be around 90-94 degrees (different websites, different answers), but my warm side is over 100 degrees! I've read that I should get a light dimmer, which I will get tomorrow, but right now should I turn the heat pad off? I don't want him to be cold but I also don't want him to burn. I already stacked so many paper towels on the warm side and it's still over 100, help!!!

 

[Josh2]

Hello and welcome to GeckoTalk.com!
Try putting a bath towel in between the heating pad and the bottom of the tank. This should put some extra space in between the gecko and the heater.

 

[LeoLover1]

If there a heat gradient, just watch your new guy. If the gecko is always on the cool side, it might be too much. They'll avoid the hot if its too much. Make sure they have a place to hide on each end. You might also try putting a large, flat piece of rock above the heat pad. It will absorb and dissipate the heat.

 

[jfreemo75]

Hey everyone, I'm actually a member of tortoiseforum.com and got linked to from a member. I just got a cute little leopard gecko today and I have a problem. I've read that the under the tank heater temps should be around 90-94 degrees (different websites, different answers), but my warm side is over 100 degrees! I've read that I should get a light dimmer, which I will get tomorrow, but right now should I turn the heat pad off? I don't want him to be cold but I also don't want him to burn. I already stacked so many paper towels on the warm side and it's still over 100, help!!!

For our leopard gecko tanks we have the under tank heater. We found that it was way too hot, even when we had sand or anything else over it. So, what we did was go to Home Depot and buy some slate tiles (you can buy a whole box or just a piece or two). We broke them with a hammer and put a piece or pieces over the under tank heater and then put our hide on top of that. We also bought a thermostat from Pet Smart and plugged the heater into that so we could turn the temp down. For the over tank heat and light source, on the same side as the under tank heater, we just have a 15 watt bulb in the light and that keeps it warm enough, but not too hot.

Welcome, and good luck with your little guy and be sure to let us know how he does, and show pics!

 

[Katherine]

hey, thanks for your help guys! Sorry i replied so late. My guy is actually doing very well and eats like a pig now. I think he was just stressed out because i just bought him. My heat pad was actually getting pretty hot no matter how much paper towels I put on top of it, so i researched and got one of those light dimmer things. Now the temps are perfect. I'm going to post some pics of him in the photo section, thank you guys again =)

 

[Gopherhockey03]

Lol hello Walliethetortoise

 

[Taiga]

Hello and welcome!

I have had leo's for over 5 years now, and I can say 100 is NOTHING to these guys. In the wild, where they live in Pakistan, the middle east, and parts of India, it can get to well over 130 degrees on the rocks, when they are underground. At night it can stay that hot, and they will find area's that suit their heat needs.
I have never had a leopard burn him or herself on a UTH, instead they move around the tank to different hides.

I personally use a mix of slate and reptile carpet, and right under each UTH it can be 90-105, often they have several hides on each side of the tank so they can move around to thermo-regulate. But, if you are very worried, lift the tank about .5" from the UTH via a bottle cap on each four corners, this stops the heater from coming in direct contact with the tank, allowing air to pass through and keeping it cooler. That way you do not have to spend $10-$20 on a dial! Often they break, or are not accurate after a few weeks, I have tried!

Good luck ^^