Selling Set-ups: Heat

[acpart]

In addition to selling hatchlings, I also sell complete 10 gallon set-ups with everything but the gecko, food and water. I try to provide the set-up that will be the best for the animal, but also the least complicated for the new owner, most of whom are new to reptiles. I've been thinking of adjusting my UTH set-up and wanted advice.
Currently I provide a small UTH, the 1-5 gallon size, even though it's a 10 gallon tank. After experimenting, I found out that this size will heat a small area of the tank to the correct temp without using a thermostat. I'm wondering if I should be heating more of the floor, although most geckos spend a lot of their day time asleep in their hides which can be positioned right over the UTH.

I'm trying to make sure that the set-up is cost effective (I sell them for $50) and easy to use. For those reasons I've chosen not to deal with a thermostat, which would raise the cost considerably. So I have 3 options:

--continue with the single mini UTH which will heat to the correct temp but heats only a small area

--provide 2 mini UTH's to cover more area

--provide a larger 10-20 gallon UTH with a rheostat and instructions about how to use it which will heat a larger area but will require some fussing with the rheostat periodically

Any opinions or suggestions would be welcome.

Aliza

 

[herplover92]

I would keep the just one mini UTH IF the buyer is housing the tank where the room temperature does not drop lower than 65F. If so I would use two mini UTH.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

From my experience a 10-20 UTH on a 10 gallon tank needs no thermostat. I currently use flexx-wat on a dimmer with a thermometer with the high and low button. I can keep my temps in the racks bins (Basement) within 4 degrees even with 15-20 fluctations outside the house. In my opinion go with a 10-20 UTH with the 20 gallon.

 

[acpart]

I would definitely go with the 10-20 gallon heater on the 20 gallon; that's what I have on my 20 gallons. Most of the set-ups I sell are 10 gallons. When I tested my tanks with ceramic tile substrate, the 10-20 gallon UTH went up to 106º under the hide. With a 10 gallon tank, I wouldn't be comfortable providing the larger UTH without some kind of thermostat or dimmer.

Aliza