Is the tank too hot?

[ed1]

My heat mat broke so i purchased a new one yesterday. It's working very well but its currently at 98f in the warm end of the tank, i've always seen varied answers about temperature so i'm not sure if this is too warm. It's connected to a habistat thermostat and despite the dial being on about 85f the temperature remains 98f.
So basically what i'm asking: is 98f (just under 40celsius) too hot for my gecko? and does anyone have any ideas about why it's not coinciding with the thermostat?(so far i've checked the probe is ok and arranged all wires carefully)

Thanks, and oh yeah he does have a cool half of 45cm by 35cm.

+also does anyone ever turn the heat mat off overnight to allow some cooling time?

 

[DrCarrotTail]

98 wont burn your gecko but it is too hot. Why not turn the thermostat down more until the heat mat registers about 90? As long as the temp is correct it doesn't matter what the thermostat says it is.

 

[ed1]

98 wont burn your gecko but it is too hot. Why not turn the thermostat down more until the heat mat registers about 90? As long as the temp is correct it doesn't matter what the thermostat says it is.

I've currently got it set at just under 90 but it isn't dropping at all- so i'm guessing there's a fault with the thermostat? Would it be a good idea for me to turn the mat off before i sleep to allow it to cool down a bit and then turn it back on for the day when i wake up? I may also put paper towels in the warm end so there's less direct contact just to make sure hes ok. Thanks for the reply.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Why can't you set it to 80 or 75? Depending on where you have the probe and the temp of your house and the quality of the thermostat it will be more or less accurate. I have 4 herpstats running on 4 different racks. All racks are at 91 and all four herpstats are set to a different temperature depending on the rack, type of bin, location or probe, ventilation, etc. I go by the inside temperature where the gecko is sitting and don't care what the thermostat reads as long as that temp is correct. I wouldn't turn it off at night I would just keep turning it to lower temps and checking the reading on the inside of the tank until you get it right.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I just looked up this type of thermostat and it seems it has a few features that might affect how it controls your tank's temp. Check you have it set to heat mode as it seems to also have a "cool" mode for running a fan. It also says the temperature accuracy is adjustable from .1 C to 5 C. If you have it set at 5C it may not come on or shut off until the temperature is over 5 degrees C higher or lower than you have the temperature set. I don't know why anyone would want a less accurate thermostat but I assume there might be reasons but I might read the instructions thoroughly to make sure I read what I'm saying accurately. I don't think we have this type of thermostat available in the states.

 

[ed1]

Why can't you set it to 80 or 75? Depending on where you have the probe and the temp of your house and the quality of the thermostat it will be more or less accurate. I have 4 herpstats running on 4 different racks. All racks are at 91 and all four herpstats are set to a different temperature depending on the rack, type of bin, location or probe, ventilation, etc. I go by the inside temperature where the gecko is sitting and don't care what the thermostat reads as long as that temp is correct. I wouldn't turn it off at night I would just keep turning it to lower temps and checking the reading on the inside of the tank until you get it right.

Sorry maybe I wasn't clear. No matter what I put the dial to, the actual tank temp won't change so I think the thermostat is faulty.. So I'm currently unable to lower the temperature at all- do you think he'll be fine with a hot side of 98 for a couple of days before i can sort this issue out? He does have a large tank full of other warm-ish or colder spots. The thermostat is the Habistat Mat-Stat and I don't think it has a cool setting. Apologies for my unclear way of writing i'm just a bit of a worrier haha. Thanks again.

 

[ed1]

So again since I'm stuck with the hot side at 98 should I turn the mat off at night or should i just leave it? When turning the mat off i think the tank would cool down to just over 70 after an hour or two.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I don't think a hot side of 98 will hurt if for a couple of days. If it gets over 100 then I might worry about him getting burned and shut if off instead. They will be okay for a few days at room temperature. If you're sure you have it set up right the unit might be faulty. If you just got it the company should replace it.

 

[ed1]

I don't think a hot side of 98 will hurt if for a couple of days. If it gets over 100 then I might worry about him getting burned and shut if off instead. They will be okay for a few days at room temperature. If you're sure you have it set up right the unit might be faulty. If you just got it the company should replace it.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on the temp and when I'm at home I might turn the mat off every now and then to allow some cooling.