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[Embrace Calamity]

What about other colors? Like moon glow?

TBH, he seems perfectly content just chilling out in his log hide where it is slightly dimmer (it has a built in hole on the top) but directly under the light now without a problem. He's sleeping with the light literally on his face. I'm just going to go with if he seems happy (eating, active, pooping etc...) he is. Thanks again for all the help!!

Yes, they can see all colors. But the moon glow is at least more natural than a red light. With albinos, I would definitely not recommend the use of regular lights, but I don't think it's really an issue for average geckos. It comes down to a matter of opinion, though, and everyone has their own.

~Maggot

 

[lisa127]

I was using these: Zoo Med Day & Night Bulb Combo Pack

Yes, that is why your leo didn't do well.

I use these:
Flukers 60 Watt Black Night Bulbs

 

[lisa127]

I'm skeptical about this claim because, as far as I'm aware, no one has gone to the natural habitat of the leopard gecko and taken a picture and then taken a picture with the same camera inside a leopard gecko enclosure with a light on it. I've taken pics inside my gecko's enclosure, and it doesn't appear any brighter than natural light. .

~Maggot

Obviously, what I meant is in nature they can get further than 24 inches from the sun. Not that the sun is literally brighter...I think he knew what I meant.

A 15 gallon tank is only 2 square feet big....and from the pic I bet that is a ten gallon. In which case not only is white light too bright, but 75 watts is most likely too much heat as well.

I have a 100 watt daytime bulb on a 40 breeder (for a skink). It is not too bright. Plenty of length in that cage to take the bulb. But if I put a 75 watt daytime bulb on a ten gallon, I guarantee you the whole cage will be overly bright.

Making sense to you now?

 

[njnolan1]

Yes, that is why your leo didn't do well.

I use these:
Flukers 60 Watt Black Night Bulbs

Can you explain further please?

 

[njnolan1]

Obviously, what I meant is in nature they can get further than 24 inches from the sun. Not that the sun is literally brighter...I think he knew what I meant.

A 15 gallon tank is only 2 square feet big....and from the pic I bet that is a ten gallon. In which case not only is white light too bright, but 75 watts is most likely too much heat as well.

I have a 100 watt daytime bulb on a 40 breeder (for a skink). It is not too bright. Plenty of length in that cage to take the bulb. But if I put a 75 watt daytime bulb on a ten gallon, I guarantee you the whole cage will be overly bright.

Making sense to you now?

I'll have to keep an eye on him and see how he behaves.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Obviously, what I meant is in nature they can get further than 24 inches from the sun. Not that the sun is literally brighter...I think he knew what I meant.

A 15 gallon tank is only 2 square feet big....and from the pic I bet that is a ten gallon. In which case not only is white light too bright, but 75 watts is most likely too much heat as well.

I have a 100 watt daytime bulb on a 40 breeder (for a skink). It is not too bright. Plenty of length in that cage to take the bulb. But if I put a 75 watt daytime bulb on a ten gallon, I guarantee you the whole cage will be overly bright.

Making sense to you now?

I obviously wasn't taking what you said that way. Also, still obviously, the sun is exponentially brighter than a bulb, so the fact that the gecko can get more than 24" away from the sun doesn't really mean anything unless you can mathematically prove that the ratio of the distance from the sun and the distance from the bulb is insufficient in regards of the brightness of the bulb and of the sun's ratio.

Your point was that the bulb makes the enclosure brighter than the sun would make their natural habitat, yes? But my point was that there's no proof of that as far as I'm aware. To assert that would require some level of evidence other than 'they can get farther than 24" from the sun.' You have no proof whatsoever that the light is brighter than natural light or that it's "too bright." If you do, I'd be interested to see it, but so far it's all just speculation.

~Maggot

 

[njnolan1]

I'm curious if the 75 watt would be too hot. I'm going by the chart on the side of the box that indicates the temperature at the distance away from the light. At 12 inches, which is the height of the tank, it's about 88 degrees. At 8 inches away, my decor is about 4 inches tall, it's 97. I'll have to save up and get a better thermometer. Maybe a point and click one?

 

[Karah]

I agree with Lisa 100%. What your saying Maggot doesn't make much sense to me... explain further?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I'm curious if the 75 watt would be too hot. I'm going by the chart on the side of the box that indicates the temperature at the distance away from the light. At 12 inches, which is the height of the tank, it's about 88 degrees. At 8 inches away, my decor is about 4 inches tall, it's 97. I'll have to save up and get a better thermometer. Maybe a point and click one?

Depends on the ambient temps of the room. You want the floor temps to be 88-93. I assume you're talking about infrared thermometers, and they're useful, but keep in mind they measure surface temps, while digital and analog thermometers measure air temps. You can use a digital with a probe to measure the air temp right on the surface, but unless you're on snow, the surface itself will always be a little warmer than the air. So both digital thermometers and infrared thermometers are useful, but they have different uses. I think digital ones are cheaper, though, so if you don't have one, at least grab one of those in the meantime because proper temps are absolutely vital.

You should really pick up a larger enclosure. A 10 gallon is too small to get much of a temp gradient (plus it's quite small for an 8-9" lizard). Especially using overhead heat, you're probably going to overheat the cool side, so your gecko won't be able to cool off properly. I'd strongly recommend a 20 long (not high). I think one of the big stores, Pet Co or Pet Smart, is having a $1/gallon sale June 24th (or so I was told). The reality is, you're going to have to spend money on this gecko. A properly set up enclosure is more than just a light and a few hides. You need proper temperature monitoring and control, live food, the right supplements, a large enough enclosure, etc. There is no such thing as a free pet.

I agree with Lisa 100%. What your saying Maggot doesn't make much sense to me... explain further?

I'm not sure how to explain it any further than a mathematical ratio and a burden of proof.

~Maggot

 

[njnolan1]

Depends on the ambient temps of the room. You want the floor temps to be 88-93. I assume you're talking about infrared thermometers, and they're useful, but keep in mind they measure surface temps, while digital and analog thermometers measure air temps. You can use a digital with a probe to measure the air temp right on the surface, but unless you're on snow, the surface itself will always be a little warmer than the air. So both digital thermometers and infrared thermometers are useful, but they have different uses. I think digital ones are cheaper, though, so if you don't have one, at least grab one of those in the meantime because proper temps are absolutely vital.

You should really pick up a larger enclosure. A 10 gallon is too small to get much of a temp gradient (plus it's quite small for an 8-9" lizard). Especially using overhead heat, you're probably going to overheat the cool side, so your gecko won't be able to cool off properly. I'd strongly recommend a 20 long (not high). I think one of the big stores, Pet Co or Pet Smart, is having a $1/gallon sale June 24th (or so I was told). The reality is, you're going to have to spend money on this gecko. A properly set up enclosure is more than just a light and a few hides. You need proper temperature monitoring and control, live food, the right supplements, a large enough enclosure, etc. There is no such thing as a free pet.I'm not sure how to explain it any further than a mathematical ratio and a burden of proof.

~Maggot

I have a two year old robo hamster in a 20 gallon long. I could switch them out! That would work nicely. The live feeders I have and are easy and cheap to get, although I despise crickets. I might just eventually get dubia roaches instead of mealworms since I have like 30 arachnids and 3 hamster who all eat bugs. If I switch them out I wont need to worry about the temps getting out of control on the cool side either.

I'd like to get this other decoration but I can't afford it right now. It would be a nice moist hide for him while I could use the flat rock decoration in the photo as an under the light heat absorbing decoration. It's about 13 bucks for the decoration though so I'll wait on that until I can get proper temperature gauges. I can at least use the digital one for now and place it near the bottom right next to the surface where the light hits.

Honestly though, this guy has reached maturity in this tank with a 60W day bulb. Eats like crazy, sleeps well, chills out etc... I'm not concerned as I don't think he's at risk of dying very soon (knock on wood). The first step is going to be switching out the hamster which I'll probably do really soon.

 

[lisa127]

I obviously wasn't taking what you said that way. Also, still obviously, the sun is exponentially brighter than a bulb, so the fact that the gecko can get more than 24" away from the sun doesn't really mean anything unless you can mathematically prove that the ratio of the distance from the sun and the distance from the bulb is insufficient in regards of the brightness of the bulb and of the sun's ratio.

Your point was that the bulb makes the enclosure brighter than the sun would make their natural habitat, yes? But my point was that there's no proof of that as far as I'm aware. To assert that would require some level of evidence other than 'they can get farther than 24" from the sun.' You have no proof whatsoever that the light is brighter than natural light or that it's "too bright." If you do, I'd be interested to see it, but so far it's all just speculation.

~Maggot

In simpler terms, in nature there is plenty of spaces to get away from the sun. In a 24 inch space, there is not. The entire space is bright. Except for maybe the one hide you can fit in that tank. I really don't think I need to provide you proof of that..lol. Is that simple enough for you?

 

[lisa127]

I'm curious if the 75 watt would be too hot. I'm going by the chart on the side of the box that indicates the temperature at the distance away from the light. At 12 inches, which is the height of the tank, it's about 88 degrees. At 8 inches away, my decor is about 4 inches tall, it's 97. I'll have to save up and get a better thermometer. Maybe a point and click one?

It is hard to say as everyone's ambient temps in their house is different. I will say, however, that I live in northeast Ohio. Bad winters. And even in January I would never be able to use a 75 watt bulb on a ten gallon tank. My gecko is in a 20 long and in winter I use a 60 watt nightglow bulb (with slate tile underneath). In summer I use it too, but I turn it down to low on the rheostat.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

In simpler terms, in nature there is plenty of spaces to get away from the sun. In a 24 inch space, there is not. The entire space is bright. Except for maybe the one hide you can fit in that tank. I really don't think I need to provide you proof of that..lol. Is that simple enough for you?

One hide? Who has only one hide in the tank? The OP has a 10 gallon and they've got three. I use a 20 long and I've got four but could easily fit five or six. And don't pull the "simple enough for you?" BS. You're the one not following what I'm saying. Let's try this more visually:

brightness of light distance from light (x)
----------------- --------------------
brightness of sun distance from sun

Now, to propose that they can't get far enough away from the light, you'd have to do the math and prove that the distance from the light (x) in the enclosure is too small a number for the ratio given. I assume you haven't done that, correct?

I have a two year old robo hamster in a 20 gallon long. I could switch them out! That would work nicely. The live feeders I have and are easy and cheap to get, although I despise crickets. I might just eventually get dubia roaches instead of mealworms since I have like 30 arachnids and 3 hamster who all eat bugs. If I switch them out I wont need to worry about the temps getting out of control on the cool side either.

I'd like to get this other decoration but I can't afford it right now. It would be a nice moist hide for him while I could use the flat rock decoration in the photo as an under the light heat absorbing decoration. It's about 13 bucks for the decoration though so I'll wait on that until I can get proper temperature gauges. I can at least use the digital one for now and place it near the bottom right next to the surface where the light hits.

Honestly though, this guy has reached maturity in this tank with a 60W day bulb. Eats like crazy, sleeps well, chills out etc... I'm not concerned as I don't think he's at risk of dying very soon (knock on wood). The first step is going to be switching out the hamster which I'll probably do really soon.

10 gallons for a hamster seems awfully small. =/ Granted, I don't keep hamsters, but there aren't many animals out there I'd put in a 10 gallon.

I'm sure your gecko isn't in danger of dying anytime soon, but I think it is important to provide them with the best enclosures reasonably possible. Issues caused by improper temperatures usually take a while to become visible to the owner, but they do happen.

~Maggot

 

[lisa127]

I follow what you're saying just fine. My point is you are making it complicated with the sole purpose of being difficult. Why? I have no idea. Not the first time I've seen it though.

And since I have enough kids about your age in and out of my home, I'd say it's not all that unusual and not something I haven't seen before.

 

[Kristi23]

Obviously there will be different opinions (though i don't know any breeders who use lights), so we should all be respectful with our replies.

 

[njnolan1]

One hide? Who has only one hide in the tank? The OP has a 10 gallon and they've got three. I use a 20 long and I've got four but could easily fit five or six. And don't pull the "simple enough for you?" BS. You're the one not following what I'm saying. Let's try this more visually:

brightness of light distance from light (x)
----------------- --------------------
brightness of sun distance from sun

Now, to propose that they can't get far enough away from the light, you'd have to do the math and prove that the distance from the light (x) in the enclosure is too small a number for the ratio given. I assume you haven't done that, correct?10 gallons for a hamster seems awfully small. =/ Granted, I don't keep hamsters, but there aren't many animals out there I'd put in a 10 gallon.

I'm sure your gecko isn't in danger of dying anytime soon, but I think it is important to provide them with the best enclosures reasonably possible. Issues caused by improper temperatures usually take a while to become visible to the owner, but they do happen.

~Maggot

It's ten gallons for a robo hamster. The smallest hamster in captivity! Ten is more than sufficient. Still not positive on the change just yet. I have to say, the gecko seems pretty content.

 

[njnolan1]

Thanks for all the opinions... that I didn't ask for originally lol. But seriously, I appreciate all the help and the "know it all" attitude (I wont point fingers) but tbh, he was brought up this way, he's a mature male, eats a lot, hangs out all over the tank, has nice poops (some white followed by solid brown without any bug parts), doesn't hiss/bite and is pretty calm but not lethargic when handled. He felt kind of cold when I first got him but now he feels warm. I might still go for the red heat basking light but we'll see. First thing's first, getting a reliable thermometer!

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the input.

 

[Kristi23]

Thanks for all the opinions... that I didn't ask for originally lol. But seriously, I appreciate all the help and the "know it all" attitude (I wont point fingers) but tbh, he was brought up this way, he's a mature male, eats a lot, hangs out all over the tank, has nice poops (some white followed by solid brown without any bug parts), doesn't hiss/bite and is pretty calm but not lethargic when handled. He felt kind of cold when I first got him but now he feels warm. I might still go for the red heat basking light but we'll see. First thing's first, getting a reliable thermometer!

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the input.

Good luck with him. I do suggest reading some care sheets though.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Thanks for all the opinions... that I didn't ask for originally lol. But seriously, I appreciate all the help and the "know it all" attitude (I wont point fingers) but tbh, he was brought up this way, he's a mature male, eats a lot, hangs out all over the tank, has nice poops (some white followed by solid brown without any bug parts), doesn't hiss/bite and is pretty calm but not lethargic when handled. He felt kind of cold when I first got him but now he feels warm. I might still go for the red heat basking light but we'll see. First thing's first, getting a reliable thermometer!

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the input.

Good luck with it. Like I said, there are a lot of different opinions. If you decide to try some different things, I'm sure you'll find what works best for you.

~Maggot

 

[njnolan1]

Good luck with him. I do suggest reading some care sheets though.

Thank you! I've read many and will continue to read more.