Interesting Heat issues please help

[AlexT]

Ok I just got my leo today and I have a 10g tank. The cool side is like 82. My house temp usually is 78 so yeah. And the warm spot is 81. (all degrees in Fahrenheit) Now since their nocturnal he doesnt really use that spot correct? Also I have a 50 watt day white light on that spot but I also have a under tank heater that would have to be placed on the left wide spot or far left back length side. My only concern is do I wanna risk heating to whole tank if that basking spot isnt even being used? Also you can feel the basking spot is hotter then his hide area (to touch) Let me know please thank you!

 

[Russ S]

Leos need belly heat of approximately 90 degrees to properly digest their food, and do not need a basking spot with a light above it.

 

[AlexT]

its not really a baskign light its a normal light that I have read everywhere to use ...so does that mean I should put up the heater or get a higher watt bulb or what? I dont wanna heat up the whole tank

 

[Tico]

the 82 is that the floor temp? warm side of the tank? most of us here just use Under tank heater... and maybe a red or blue blub for night viewing only ....

 

[LeopardShade]

its not really a baskign light its a normal light that I have read everywhere to use ...so does that mean I should put up the heater or get a higher watt bulb or what? I dont wanna heat up the whole tank

Basking light or not, leos do not enjoy bright light, their nocturnal eyes cannot see well in it, especially if the gecko is albino. I'd just go with a UTH.

 

[AlexT]

there were two kits a tropical and desert the gecko was on the desert box and both sets had this incandescent bulb the uvb light is over the cool side (light that doesnt emit heat just keeps their bones strong) also I have no natural sunlight that is why I use the white light beacuse otherwise the geckos day/night cycle would be messed up ? right? and I have a thermometer on the side by the rocks so idk if that means floor temp plus in the care sheets they tell you what you need and that light is on there

 

[Russ S]

Being nocturnal, Leos don't need UVB bulbs.

 

[AlexT]

then what is the perfect lights for a take with NO sunlight?!?!

 

[LeopardShade]

Many care sheets are often wrong, and give wrong information, such as using sand substrate and using a bright light. I can assure you that while UVB is good for the gecko's bones, they simply do not need the bright light; it is not necessary.
Taking away the light will not mess up the day/night cycle, it's not like the gecko cannot see actual sunlight. Breeders do not raise their geckos on lights, they are housed in rack systems where everything is usually dark, and yet they thrive.
If you have an UTH, you should probably put the thermometer in the floor to get accurate floor temps, as this is where the heat is coming from and you want to make sure that it is not too hot or too cool.

EDIT - A red reptile bulb is perfect for leopard geckos, they cannot see red so its like an invisible source of heat.

 

[AlexT]

So even thought I can barely any sunlight I dont need a UVB or any light source except for viewing? beacuse even at the pet stores they had lights on them like not even big name ones. Was this beacuse they didnt want to use a U.T.H ?

 

[ElapidSVT]

the only light my leos get is from a small lamp in the room when i'm in there and what filters in through the window in the room, which has the blinds closed most of the time now that i have a rack under the window too.

those kits they sell have mostly stuff that you don't need; the stores are programmed to take your money is all. stores use lights so the customer can clearly see the animals and is probably a big reason that the longer they stay in the shop, the worse they look.

i agree with the others, 90F hotspot, no light.

 

[AlexT]

alright thank you , you have no idea how much I appreciate that.....just to let me get this straight....I should just use a u.t.h and a heat but no light light bulb and one more question..if my tank is right by my window gets semi sunlight (but can get hot sometimes) should i leave my blinds and curtain closed?

 

[LeopardShade]

So even thought I can barely any sunlight I dont need a UVB or any light source except for viewing? beacuse even at the pet stores they had lights on them like not even big name ones. Was this beacuse they didnt want to use a U.T.H ?

That's because many pet stores don't often truly know what Leopard geckos need. That's why pet store leos are often raised under a basking light and kept on sand, pet stores don't do their homework on these lizards or are given false information on how to keep them.
As for the UTH, t's not necessarily because they didn't want to use it, they simply didn't know that a UTH is the best heating source for Leopard geckos.
Many people on here are professional breeders who have kept many Leopard geckos as a hobby for a long time, and they would probably tell you the same things I am telling you.

 

[Wild West Reptile]

Use a UTH on one side of tank and make sure you have the SURFACE temp between 90 and 94ish. I use red and blue lights for nightime heating if needed. But no other lights are necessary. Put the probe tip directly on the surface or get a temp gun for $30-40 to get more accurate readings.

As far as the window goes....be careful. Sunlight shining through a window directly onto your tank can intensify the light, heating your tank way too hot and kill your gecko. I'd put it somewhere that doesn't get direct sunlight, then you can open your blinds for them. Good luck with it!

 

[AlexT]

I cant tell you how grateful I am for all your responses ... I want my gecko to be healthy and friendly but its hard to find good info now a days

 

[Wowoklol]

I thought you said the room had no natural sunlight hence the need for the light and light cycles? You thermometers will tell you if it's too hot or not.

 

[AlexT]

i usally leave the blinds etc close so it doesnt get any light but the thermometer should it be placed on the side where the u.t.h is like u.t.h on outside and thermometer right by it but on the inside?

 

[Darcpixie]

As with most reptiles, you want to keep the hottest possible place they could get to within their appropriate range. If you are using a bulb for heat and a uth, you may want to make sure that there isn't an area hotter then where your probe is, like under the light, on top of the uth, but not in the hide where your probe is. You will likely want to get a nice piece of tile for the substrate, and post lots of pictures!!

We love pictures.

 

[Russ S]

i usally leave the blinds etc close so it doesnt get any light but the thermometer should it be placed on the side where the u.t.h is like u.t.h on outside and thermometer right by it but on the inside?

Yes. Ideally you should get a thermometer with a probe that can be placed directly on the floor of the tank above the UTH.

 

[AlexT]

i actually have a piece of tile in his hide but i have his moss on it beacuse the moisture was being sucked into the carpet and okay I will post pics (on this same thread) and its seams that i shuld stay away from "light" bulbs ...i turned on my night viewing bulb i think its like purple but it seems like it barley makes the tank viewable