Tank Temperature

[LeoIsland]

So I just recieved my heat pad in the mail and put it on my tank right away.

My question is:

I have the temp gauge stuck half way from the top and bottom on the back side of the hot side of the tank. With the light it gave me the correct temp for that side of the cage. Now with the heat pad, I am not sure if I am going to get the correct temperature for the heat the mat is putting off. Is the only option to get a rheostat to monitor how hot it gets?

I have a hide on top of where the heat pad is located, and Cera has been planted inside of it. Should I worry about how hot it gets, or will she no when to hot is to hot and get the hell out of dodge?

Just want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

Also has anyone had luck with the dried insects in a bowl? I got it for cheap and figured Id give it a try.

I bought her 3-4 days ago, and she has been a chow hound. She was alittle on the slim side, but she now eats 12-15 large dusted crickets a day no problem.

Should I be dusting the crickets every feeding?

If I buy mealworms, or wax worms, they come in 50 count, can I just keep them in the dish I buy them in until she eats them all?

Thanks for any answers!

 

[Fencer04]

1. Get a probe thermometer and use it to test the temp on the ground. Belly heat matters the most.
2. I would get a rheostat or thermostat to make sure that the temp from the heat mat is regulated. It will change as the surrounding temp changes.
3. You can order mealworms in bulk online. I recommend doing that and keeping them in some oats in the fridge.
4. I would only put in what you want them to eat. There are some exceptions but for the most part that's the best thing to do.

I notice you are from LI. I am as well. If you have any questions you can PM me and I'll give you my number.

 

[rickmoss95]

one thing i will tell you, is the stick on thermometer is going to give you air temps, not surface temps...and you NEED to know the surface temps! a good way to know for sure is to purchase an infra red temp gun, they are the hands down BEST temperature testing device made. you can also use a digital thermometer with a probe, but temp guns are the best. you NEED to regulate the amount of electricity going to your heat mat...if you simply plug it into the wall, it is probably getting way too hot. i have not seen a gecko eat insects unless they are moving. i feed mine mainly mealworms. you can put them in the fridge and take them out every couple days, and let them eat some carrots and orange slices to gutload them. i feed my geckos every other day, giving them a couple days without food once a week. i give mine about ten per feeding, and they seem to be doing very well, and breeding like crazy...so im thinkin i am doing something right. good luck! and let us know how things are going....also avoid sand and other loose substrates that can impact the leopards intestinal tract.

 

[Chosen010]

as Rick stated, the infrared thermometer is the way to go. You can pick one up with decent accuracy for 20-30.00 on Amazon.. Also rheostat (dimmer switch) is almost an absolute must. You can pick these up on Amazon for 5-7.00. It just gives you a slider switch to control the wattage provided to the UTH. I noticed that two of my UTHs will put the surface temp at about 105 w/o the rheostat..

 

[rickmoss95]

QUOTE=Chosen010;667601]as Rick stated, the infrared thermometer is the way to go. You can pick one up with decent accuracy for 20-30.00 on Amazon.. Also rheostat (dimmer switch) is almost an absolute must. You can pick these up on Amazon for 5-7.00. It just gives you a slider switch to control the wattage provided to the UTH. I noticed that two of my UTHs will put the surface temp at about 105 w/o the rheostat..[/QUOTE]

you can get the PE1 from pro exotics for 25 bucks, and the PE2 is 50, and so on. the ones from pro exotics are VERY accurate, even when compared to my raytek...which was 300 dollars! the PE series is an absolute great tool to have! i dont understand why people will buy ten or more of the digital thermometers, but wont buy a tempgun???? i would NOT have reptiles, no matter the species, without an infrared temp gun. i am not putting anyone down who has alot of digi thermos, i just dont get it when they say something like, " im not spending the money on one"....when they will spend MORE money on less accurate units that can only measure one spot at a time. i have the digi thermos in some of my display cages, but always double check them weekly with my temp guns, and i have found ALOT of inaccuracies with the digital thermometers. i also have two of the PE2 tempguns and use them more than my raytek, they are smaller and more convenient...and just as accurate. check out tempgun.com that is the pro exotics tempgun website. these are worth thier weight in gold.