Tank Heating for 20L

[lbrock18]

Hello,

I am brand new to the world of reptiles. I got my first leopard gecko four days ago. He is approximately 3 weeks old. I do have a question on proper heating for his tank. I have tried to research the answer as much as I can, but I keep coming across different answers.

My leo is currently housed in a 20L aquarium. Naturally, I purchased the 10-20 gallon UTH for use with the tank. However, since 20L tanks are essentially the same length as a 29 gallon tank, only shorter, should I be sizing up and using the 30-40 gallon UTH? I ordered a digital thermometer with probe, but it hasn't been delivered yet so I don't know the exact ground temp, but it just doesn't seem like the 10-20 gallon UTH would be enough heat for the tank. The tank's rough dimensions are 30x12x12.5. The UTH that I currently am using is 8x6 and the next size up is 12x8. Does anyone have any experience with housing leos in 20L tanks? If so, which size UTH did you use? I guess it would also be helpful to mention that I am using reptile carpet as the substrate in the tank. Also, our house in general is on the cooler side (66-68 degrees room temperature).

Thank you so much!

 

[Theshiggityshwa]

I think alot of that has to do with the ratio of dividing your tank into thirds? like, whatever size UTH you get should only take about a third of the tanks length which in this case is 30 inches, right? So... I'd say go for the bigger.
If you're using the zoo med reptitherm medium size, thats exactly what I have under my tank. Its 8 x 12 in dimension and does wonderful. I have thought about stepping it up to the 8 X 18 though just to disperse more of the heat evenly throughout the tank.
That's my advice. Not the best but just a suggestion.

 

[lisa127]

Yes, you want the 30 to 40 gallon one. I personally do not like the Zoo Med UTH's so I use Ultratherm ones that I get at Reptile Basics. In those I use the 11 x 11 size. You want 1/4 to 1/3 (I like 1/3) of the floor heated.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I agree that covering about 25-35% of the tank floor is ideal. The 12x8 size should be better than the little one. You definitely want to measure your temps ASAP and make sure they are in the right range. In general too cold is better than too hot since it won't hurt your gecko short term by burning him but it will affect their health long term. Feel your skin and then feel the carpet over your UTH. Your skin should be around 95-98 degrees so the UTH should not be warmer than your skin feels. Ideally it should be about 90. Up to 105 is too hot but safe in that it won't burn your gecko. As long as your house temp is over 65 your little gecko should be fine without any additional heat

 

[lisa127]

I agree that covering about 25-35% of the tank floor is ideal. The 12x8 size should be better than the little one. You definitely want to measure your temps ASAP and make sure they are in the right range. In general too cold is better than too hot since it won't hurt your gecko short term by burning him but it will affect their health long term. Feel your skin and then feel the carpet over your UTH. Your skin should be around 95-98 degrees so the UTH should not be warmer than your skin feels. Ideally it should be about 90. Up to 105 is too hot but safe in that it won't burn your gecko. As long as your house temp is over 65 your little gecko should be fine without any additional heat

I have to disagree with the temperature of your skin. While your internal body temperature is around 98 degrees, the surface of your skin is not. If you have a temperature gun try measuring the temp of your skin in different places. I'm guessing the surface temperature of your skin is more like in the low 80's to maybe low 90's, depending on the ambient temp of wherever you are and if that surface is covered by clothing. Therefore the UTH should feel very slightly warm to our touch. If the temp of our skin was in the mid to upper 90's then the UTH would actually feel a bit chilly to us when at the correct temp.