New Leo owner, questions!

[SDCowboy]

Phew, I am pretty relieved now. I managed to get her to start eating tonight, about 4 or 5 crickets . Also I found out the temp was WAY too high(Only on the hotspot), like 110F which is really bad. I have it down to a steady 90 now by switching the substrate from paper towel to cardboard.

90s too low. You want around ~94-97.

 

[endrien]

90s too low. You want around ~94-97.

How is 90 too low O-o. Right now it is reading roughly 93/94f.
Also currently she only seems to sleep on the cold side, why is this?

 

[SDCowboy]

How is 90 too low O-o. Right now it is reading roughly 93/94f.

90 is low because they need higher than that. 94* should be fine but you will see varying opinions on that.

 

[M_surinamensis]

Throw the crickets outside

Don't do that.

 

[endrien]

Right now it is sitting at 95f or so, only in small area it is that much though. The cold side is closer to 80f. I am using a Microlife Infra Red Ear Thermometer
to measure the hotspot by pressing it to the substrate where the heatmat is and getting a reading. The analog thermometer shows about 95 when placed on the hotspot as well. Most website say about 90f for a hot spot, will 95 be alright?

 

[SDCowboy]

Right now it is sitting at 95f or so, only in small area it is that much though. The cold side is closer to 80f. I am using a Microlife Infra Red Ear Thermometer
to measure the hotspot by pressing it to the substrate where the heatmat is and getting a reading. The analog thermometer shows about 95 when placed on the hotspot as well. Most website say about 90f for a hot spot, will 95 be alright?

95 is right where you want it give or take a couple of degrees.

 

[roger]

90 is low because they need higher than that. 94* should be fine but you will see varying opinions on that.

90 is not low.anywhere from 88-95 is good

 

[SDCowboy]

90 is not low.anywhere from 88-95 is good

Like I said, you'll find varying opinions on that.

 

[endrien]

Like I said, you'll find varying opinions on that.

Well, the the the hottest spot in the tank seems to be 95 with the area around it being about 91-93. The rest of the "Hot side"(outside of the basking spot) is 80 or so and the cold side is low 70's. Should I try and bring these up?(these are daytime temps) I have 2 aquarium bulbs on the top of the tank I could turn on during the day, but that would make the hot spot too hot unless I removed the bulb on the hot side.

 

[roger]

Well, the the the hottest spot in the tank seems to be 95 with the area around it being about 91-93. The rest of the "Hot side"(outside of the basking spot) is 80 or so and the cold side is low 70's. Should I try and bring these up?(these are daytime temps) I have 2 aquarium bulbs on the top of the tank I could turn on during the day, but that would make the hot spot too hot unless I removed the bulb on the hot side.

Your temps are fine.You are over analyzing this way too much.Floor temps do not have to be precise.Anywhere from 88-95 is fine.Aside from night viewing you are wasting your time with lamps.As long as they have the belly warmth , you dont need a basking lamp.

 

[endrien]

Your temps are fine.You are over analyzing this way too much.Floor temps do not have to be precise.Anywhere from 88-95 is fine.Aside from night viewing you are wasting your time with lamps.As long as they have the belly warmth , you dont need a basking lamp.

I know, just being overly cautious :S. She seems to be doing find with a basking spot of 91ish as she is eating 4 or 5 crickets a day and just pooped today as well.