Is this OK?

[thekooliest]

Hi,
I'm buying a lot of stuff, for my future Leo, from a guy in Philly. And I was wondering if this light (attachment is the picture) would be the right thing to buy (for my future 20 gallon long tank). His description of this is "Heat - Clamp Lights (2)". Not much information, but I was wondering if this would be OK heat for the tank (like would it maintain heat difference in the tank...my mom is worried about this).
I know you probably need more info on the light, if so tell me what you need to know and I can ask the guy.
If you don't understand this thread, ask any questions (I know, I make no sense )
Thanks, Sam

 

[Stitch]

I personally prefer using a Under Tank Heater (UTH) controlled by a thermostat. Heat lamps will work but not nearly as well as a UTH. Leo's utilize belly heat for digestion and their immune system. A heat lamp provides over head heat. Where as a UTH provides better belly heat.

I don't know how much a "brand new" heat lamp costs but you should be able to pick some up at any pet store. I wouldn't pay more than $10-15 for those heat lamps ([Warranty] no gaurantee they will work).

 

[efx*]

A heating pad from zoo meds would be better than heating lamps. Geckos need belly heat to digest there food


Beat me to it Stitch.

 

[liljenn]

Hi, Sam, welcome to Geckoforums!

In reference to the lamps, Leopard Geckos need belly heat from a Under the Tank Heater. These lamps are fine, as heat lamps for other reptile species that need UVB light (Leopard Geckos do not). I would suggest getting a Heat Mat specifically designed for a 20 Gallon tank, such as:
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=489
This will probably help your mom feel better about the heat issue too!

Also, I encourage you to read the care sheets written by some of our members here first before buying anything. (Yeah, I purchased stuff I didn't need when I started too!) Click on any of the web ads at the top to get to their sites, & check out their care sheet.

And, if you have some time, read past posts, especially in the "Housing" forum. Some great info here! You can also use the "search" function on the top bar.

 

[Ccrashca069]

For your primary heat you need a heat mat for belly heat. I use a light in winter time to help keep it warm. When you use the light for that purpose you just need something like a 50 watt red buld. I use the ZooMed Infared heat light.

 

[thekooliest]

A heating pad from zoo meds would be better than heating lamps. Geckos need belly heat to digest there food


Beat me to it Stitch.

Thats what I thought, but my mom heard otherwise from a pet store.

For your primary heat you need a heat mat for belly heat. I use a light in winter time to help keep it warm. When you use the light for that purpose you just need something like a 50 watt red buld. I use the ZooMed Infared heat light.

Something like this?
And what would I use that for, winter nights or winter all day?

 

[Stitch]

Something like this?
And what would I use that for, winter nights or winter all day?

Using it all day or just at night would depend on the room the cage is in.



For me I just use a space heater to keep the room temp up in the winter.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Those would work and would last a couple years just buy a new one not a used one. I just use the heat light so I can watch them at night.

 

[Green_Snake]

I think that would be an appropriate bulb. I have one for my bearded dragon, and it works really well. However, as everyone said, you will need an Under Tank Heater, a heating pad.

 

[liljenn]

Thats what I thought, but my mom heard otherwise from a pet store.

Yeah, unfortunately, some petstores give poor advise. I was told to put mine on walnut shells & it needed UVB light!?! :main_rolleyes: Anyway, that is why I stongly recommend that you read a caresheet specific to Leopard Geckos written by one of the breeders on here. Especially before you buy things you don't really need or that could harm your pet. Not all reptiles have the same needs. Many times petstore employees just don't know, or have been taught the wrong information.

Also, like John, my winters are a bit cold, so I use a ceramic bulb (in one of those heat lamps you had posted) to raise the general temps in my tank at night.

 

[thekooliest]

Yea Jenn...
Thats what I thought...but my mom was firm on it...
I think what the pet store was basing it off of was heat.
And they didn't have thermometers with probes, so the lights gave way more heat (air heat) than a UTH.

 

[blizzard]

gotta have the uth for the belly heat of course. but if your getting a juvenile gecko, you should look into getting a uvb bulb for bone development. and if the cage isn't hot enough a 60 watt sunbulb does well enough for a 20gal.

 

[thekooliest]

OK, to top of my question of this subject...
I know you should have thermometers with probes, but if I don't buy them...is there a way to guess the heat of the floor from the heat of the air...or do I neeeeed to buy them...

 

[Stitch]

When you use a UTH you either need a T-stat with a temperature probe attached or you will need to by a temperature gun. You need something to measure the ground temps, guessing would be like playing Russian Roulet.

 

[liljenn]

gotta have the uth for the belly heat of course. but if your getting a juvenile gecko, you should look into getting a uvb bulb for bone development. and if the cage isn't hot enough a 60 watt sunbulb does well enough for a 20gal.

Leopard Geckos do not need UVB light. They are nocturnal reptiles. They need calcium with vitamin D & multivitamin suppliments for proper development and well gut-loaded .

Also, a thermometer is an absolute MUST - on the floor of the "hot" side. You can not "wing it". That will risk the health of your leo, and possibly fatal. If your mom insists on over head heat, I would recommend using a ceramic bulb rather than a light and keep the floor temps on the "hot" side between 88-90 degrees.

 

[blizzard]

learned something new today jenn. i knew that calcium and all that but i read multiple sources where a uvb may not be needed but can be very useful for juvies

 

[goReptiles]

I've never heard that in regards to nocturnal reptiles. In diurnal reptiles the uv helps them absorb the calcium, but in nocturnal reptiles it's really a waste of electricity, as they hide during the day with the uv is present.

Definitely get the UTH, its necessary, as is the digital thermometer with a probe. You can check out online sources if you local pet store doesn't have any available.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Good advice

__________________

Whitney Lowell : Definitely get the UTH, its necessary, as is the digital thermometer with a probe. You can check out online sources if you local pet store doesn't have any available.
__________________
Whitney Lowell

Sam, she has given you the the the best advice. Topper lights like that can be picked up at Walmart from 7 to 10 bucks if necessary.
Note................When you get completely set up for your gecko..If you want to, "Lets talk"... I may have you a very nice free Gecko (not deformed) if you can support good housing and good care for it. Take care. HJ

 

[rhino43grr]

Yea Jenn...
Thats what I thought...but my mom was firm on it...
I think what the pet store was basing it off of was heat.
And they didn't have thermometers with probes, so the lights gave way more heat (air heat) than a UTH.

i would show your mom this thread and caresheets from breeders online so she can see that you're getting your information from reliable sources.

 

[reptileluv13]

people on this website help alot, i joined like a week ago. and i feel pretty good about taking care of my leopard gecko. but yeah, somebody on the website said heat lamps can stress out the leopard gecko.