UTH and Moist Hut Questions

[Jennie]

I just bought a Tetrafauna® Deluxe Sliding Door Habitat 12"L x 30"W x 18"H along with a mini UTH which is situated in a corner of the tank beneath the Moist Hut.

My question I suppose would be, is my hot spot also suppose to be outside the moist hut? The temp reading in the hut is about 95-F degrees. I bought a larger UTH today which would extend outside the hut as well, but is this necessary?

Should I use the larger UTH vs the smaller one? I also have an additional 75watt night heat bulb for additional heat as the house can get cold. The cool side of the tank is reading 75F- degrees. If I were to use the larger UTH, it would cover a whole quarter of the tank perfectly.

 

[Jennie]

I forgot to add. I was THINKING on doing the entire tank with tile, right now its about 3/4th with 1/4 paper towel. If I switched completely to tile...I don't know if the mini UTH will transfer through, which is why I was also considering the larger UTH.

 

[LaurenceH]

It would probably be a good idea to move the humid hut to the cool side of the enclosure, the only reason being that on the hot side it will dry out faster. There should still be a hot side hiding spot provided, however.

As for the UTH, it should cover at least 1/3 of the bottom of the habitat. From what you are describing it sounds as if the mini is too small. The larger UTH sounds large enough to be acceptable, though. The gecko needs to have a hotspot larger than it's hide so it can thermoregulate in the open if it chooses.

 

[Jennie]

Thank you. I ended up just using the bigger UTH. I also made a new humid hide and placed it in the center of the tank so that its at least a little warm inside.

 

[LaurenceH]

Looks like a great set-up. One question though; is the lighting besides the heat bulb on a timer? (Or if not, does it get switched off at sunset and on in the morning?)

 

[katie_]

I keep my humid hide on the warm side to stay humid.
It doesnt get humid on the cold side.

 

[Jennie]

LaurenceH - Its not on a timer, we have to switch it on and off ourselves 12/12 cycles right now. I do want to invest in a timer when I get the extra cash for it.

 

[Sarge USMC]

what do you have inside that humid hide???