New Set-up heating question

[GeckoJoe88]

I am getting back into the hobby after a LONG hiatus and have a brand new 40g breeder tank laying around that will be my Leo tank. I have always used paper towels with UTH for heat. This time around I think I am going to use tile, my question is will an overhead lamp on one side be sufficient enough to heat the tile eliminating the need for UTH?

 

[Sunglow1740]

You need the uth for belly heat to help your leo digest there food better and it will heat up the tile also.Hope this help.:main_thumbsup:

 

[GeckoJoe88]

I was just concerned about the UTH being powerful enough to heat the tile up thru the tank

 

[cowana]

The UTH will be enough. I have tile in all of my tanks including a 40 Gallon Breeder. You will want to get a thermostat to regulate the UTH because it can actually go beyond the 88-92F you want for belly heat. But an overhead light for heat isn't a good idea. Many Leos find the light to be bothersome and react negatively to it.

Amy

 

[GeckoJoe88]

Is there really a need for overhead lighting to begin with? I have heard both sides where Leo's benefit from it and that they don't

 

[indyana]

I use low-wattage, fluorescent lighting to create a day/night cycle for my leopard geckos and make a little UVB accessible to them if they want it, but I know most people do not provide lighting beyond the ambient room lights and their geckos do just fine (with proper dietary supplements).

 

[cowana]

Is there really a need for overhead lighting to begin with? I have heard both sides where Leo's benefit from it and that they don't

No need for overhead heating, because LGs use belly heat to digest there food. They are nocturnal and in the wild they would use radiant heat from where the sun had warmed rocks, etc against their bellies. So overhead isn't necessary and a lot of Leos will hide from it because they find it bothersome.

Now some people do use UVB fluorescent lighting (doesn't give off heat) to create a daylight cycle for their Leos, and help process Vitamin D, like Indyana said. I use ambient lighting from the windows in my gecko room for a light cycle. With me being nocturnal I don't think they need the UVB to process the Vitamin D. Albinos are also particularly sensitive to the UVB lights.

 

[stager]

I was just concerned about the UTH being powerful enough to heat the tile up thru the tank

You can always use a cheap dimmer switch like 10 bucks at home depot as long as the room pretty much stays the same it works fine