Hi, new guy here! Big problem!

[red_wall]

Alrighty, so I've just adopted my leo as of yesterday, one week ago.
I just upgraded his tank to a 20 gallon long, and put slate in the bottom of it.
The only problem is, the slate isn't heating up enough.
When I touch the slate, it's BARELY warm to the touch.

Is there anything I can do to increase the heating capabilities, or make the slate thinner?

The slate is less than 10mm thick, (~8mm)

Thanks for the help!

 

[Khrysty]

Remember your body runs around 98 degrees fahrenheit. Since a leopard gecko's tank should only be heated to 90-95 degrees, the fact that it feels just slightly warm to the touch means it's probably the right temperature. Get a digital thermometer with a probe (if you don't already have one that is) and secure it to the slate right above the heater. That should tell you the temp your gecko is feeling

 

[acpart]

After you confirm whether your temps are really too cold, you can tape some aluminum foil over the UTH (so the UTH is sandwiched between the glass bottom of the tank and the aluminum foil). This directs some of the heat upward.

Aliza

 

[Remy]

I followed Alizas advice and did the UTH sandwich trick a while back. It helped me regulate my slate temperature.

 

[red_wall]

Thanks for the help!

In the end, I decided to go with those sticky things that you use instead of tile... that kind of look like tile? I think it was vinyl tile? Something like that. I put my thermometer on the vinyl, which to the touch is warm, and it was at 93 degrees.

Comparing the vinyl to the slate is like a hot tub to a slightly warm bath.

 

[ReptilesForTheWin]

93 is to hot. 90 max. So get a thermostat.

 

[red_wall]

Remember your body runs around 98 degrees fahrenheit. Since a leopard gecko's tank should only be heated to 90-95 degrees, the fact that it feels just slightly warm to the touch means it's probably the right temperature. Get a digital thermometer with a probe (if you don't already have one that is) and secure it to the slate right above the heater. That should tell you the temp your gecko is feeling

GAAAAHHHH. Conflicting opinions kill me. Since they are from the middle east, where it's amazingly hot, I'll say 93 is good.

 

[OneFootedAce]

93 is to hot. 90 max. So get a thermostat.

I disagree, personally 90 is the minimum! I like to keep my tanks/tubs at around 93-95 range. So 93 is not to hot IMO, it's perfect.

 

[Taquiq]

93 is to hot. 90 max. So get a thermostat.

I like to keep at 92. Some people keep at 97. 90 is NOT the max.

 

[janjgeckos]

I will prob get bashed for this to but I dont let my hot spots get over 90deg. I have my own opinion and it is I wont incubate my eggs above 90deg so why would I allow my gravid females to lay on a temp where the eggs can be subjected to these temps. I have seen high slug/dud rates in other reptiles because they were provided a hot spot that was too hot. LG's dont come out much during the day in the wild when the temps are very high they come out when the temps are down.

 

[roger]

People ,lets not carried away.This isn,t scientific.People get too carried away with having the precise temps.Anywhere between 88 degrees and 95 deg is acceptable.I choose to keep it at 95 degrees.The key is if your leos are defecating and eating properly and you have it set for 88 degrees than thats good enough.

 

[sammer021486]

watch to make sure that the glue on the back of the vinyl tiles does not begin to get runny and leak, also the glue is said to be toxic (but I am not too sure), I just know that when some of the glues used on the back of vinyl tiles, stinks when it is heated.

 

[Eric1969]

I just bought tile for mine, he was on sand for a year now, that is how I bought him from a previous owner, and I am worried they wont be warm enough.... I believe I need a larger UTH than I have. I also have a lamp dimmer so I can turn the heat down if needed, since summer is coming....

 

[red_wall]

I will prob get bashed for this to but I dont let my hot spots get over 90deg. I have my own opinion and it is I wont incubate my eggs above 90deg so why would I allow my gravid females to lay on a temp where the eggs can be subjected to these temps. I have seen high slug/dud rates in other reptiles because they were provided a hot spot that was too hot. LG's dont come out much during the day in the wild when the temps are very high they come out when the temps are down.

Well, that actually DOES make a lot of sense.
But as long as my temps aren't burning him, I think he'll be okay.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Tommy13b]

93 is to hot. 90 max. So get a thermostat.

Were did you get that from lol?

 

[Krow]

It really depends on your opinon. But the heat needs to be in the 90s on the warm side. My warm side stays at 91-93.

 

[Krow]

People ,lets not carried away.This isn,t scientific.People get too carried away with having the precise temps.Anywhere between 88 degrees and 95 deg is acceptable.I choose to keep it at 95 degrees.The key is if your leos are defecating and eating properly and you have it set for 88 degrees than thats good enough.

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