Sun Cycle

[girloy]

Hey everyone!

I'm developing my own temperature and light controller for my leo and I was wondering what would be the best way to simulate the seasons automatically. Thing is, I'm not very experienced and I don't want to brumate my gecko, so can I reduce the daylight time by 2 hours and a couple of degrees celcius (5 maybe?) during winter just to stimulate the gecko a bit?


Thanks for the attention!

 

[Kylerbassman]

I want to say that your idea is very good. I looked into a similar idea to try and change day cycles (dawn,dusk,sunrise, sunset, day, and night)

it can get a little tricky getting all those components working together from one controller especially when you add a thermostat (unless your pretty technically inclined) as far as brumation, your going to find that your Leo's go by many more cues then just lighting and heat.

Some Leo's go through a very intense brumation going without eating and decreased activity for an extended period of time, some may just eat a bit less, while some don't seem to even go through it. I wouldn't try and mess with a natural cycle. You shouldn't try and "trick" them out of brumation (although I highly doubt you could) my female is sort of just getting out of brumation while my male just slowed down eating for a few weeks. I keep there enclosures heated the same year round, but i do change lighting schedule to match my local day/night cycle in different seasons.

I would love to hear how you go about doing this as I am still looking at ideas for my "custom dream build" . Good luck

 

[girloy]

Thank you Kyler!
I read around the web that brumation is somewhat risky and shouldn't be done to every gecko in captivity, that's why I'm afraid tha by lowering the temps and the lighting that it goes into brumation without being ready!

Are you suggesting that it would be safer to simulate the day and night cycle but keep it constant the year around, not simulating seasons?

 

[Kylerbassman]

I keep my Uth the same year round using low wattage lights just to simulate daytime but I do change lighting cycles for seasons. If you have correct gradient in your tank your Leo will gravitate to the area he/she needs/wants.

 

[girloy]

I'm thinking about decreasing the temperature of about 3 degrees celcius during Winter. Woud that be a good choice?