What's the best temp for my leo?

[Ozy]

I have heard WILDLY contradicting temps. Currently my warm side is @ 89 and cool side is 76, humidity is 39%. taken with Accu-rite digital thermometer/humidity thing. Do they NEED a temp shift from day to night? I've heard they do AND that it doesn't matter. Could someone give me a definitive answer, because I want my little leo to be happy and healthy for a long time! Also, are my current temps good? Or do I need to raise them a bit? I use Zoo Med's repitherm UTH controlled with a Lutron lamp dimmer. And he is in a 20 gallon long. I also have a red bulb (also with dimmer) in case I need to raise the cool side temp.

 

[GGss6]

90-95 on the warm side and 80-85 on the cool side

 

[Ozy]

Ok. do they NEED a temp change from day to night? Or can I keep the temps the same all the time?

 

[GGss6]

well I have 2 heat lamps and 1 heat pad. One of my heat lamps is red and on the warm side. this lamp is on 24/7. i have another heat lamp in the center and it is on in the day time and turned off at night. I have a heat pad under my tank but because of the sand it doesn't matter you cant feel the heat.

correct me if I'm wrong anyone but that is what I use

 

[Crewdog00]

my tank is 80-90 degrees, daytime bulb on for 12 hours, and then red light ( moonlight) for 12 hours at night.

Temps will go down naturally at night, and as long as it's above 75 degrees you should be fine.

There are a lot of different opinions and advice out there. But their natural habitats in the wild range from 75-100 degrees. So I choose to keep my tank at 80-90.

 

[Kaila]

Ok. do they NEED a temp change from day to night? Or can I keep the temps the same all the time?

No, you can keep the temperatures the same all the time.

 

[Crewdog00]

I was using sand but a lot of people say you shouldn't. FYI

 

[geckoguru929]

I have heard WILDLY contradicting temps. Currently my warm side is @ 89 and cool side is 76, humidity is 39%. taken with Accu-rite digital thermometer/humidity thing. Do they NEED a temp shift from day to night? I've heard they do AND that it doesn't matter. Could someone give me a definitive answer, because I want my little leo to be happy and healthy for a long time! Also, are my current temps good? Or do I need to raise them a bit? I use Zoo Med's repitherm UTH controlled with a Lutron lamp dimmer. And he is in a 20 gallon long. I also have a red bulb (also with dimmer) in case I need to raise the cool side temp.

Shut off overhead heating and only leave the UTH on at night, unless your room temp goes under 69. 76 is perfect for the cool side.

 

[Russellm0704]

well I have 2 heat lamps and 1 heat pad. One of my heat lamps is red and on the warm side. this lamp is on 24/7. i have another heat lamp in the center and it is on in the day time and turned off at night. I have a heat pad under my tank but because of the sand it doesn't matter you cant feel the heat.

correct me if I'm wrong anyone but that is what I use

Sorry but I think a few changes need to be made. Lamps are completely unneccesary and can stress your leo. SAND SHOULD NEVER BE USED. It is not a risk of impaction, it is certain that it will cause impaction. Are caresheets not read anymore?

 

[Crewdog00]

I've converted to tile and not sand. And I'm averaging 93 on warm side and 73 on cool side.

 

[TigerJon]

Okay, I am still a bit unclear on temps. I understand the warm side should be @ 90F and the cool @ 75F, but are these daytime, nighttime, or both. Also, I have a ZooMed pad stuck to the underside of my warm side. It covers about a third of the width of my 24" x 12" 20 gallon tank. It is hooked to a Rheostat designed for reptiles (can't think of the mfg.). My substrate is a reptile carpet. My thermometers are the cheap Exo Terra stick-ons and I have placed one in each lower-back corner. When the Rheostat is on HIGH, the temp on the warm side only gets to about 80-85. Do I have a bad heat pad? Also, I do have a lamp but only have it on st night for a little while to view. It is a nighttime incandescent that gives of a really dull purpleish hue. Thanks for any help.

 

[arianne]

Okay, I am still a bit unclear on temps. I understand the warm side should be @ 90F and the cool @ 75F, but are these daytime, nighttime, or both.

The warm side should be 90-95° F. The cool side should be 75-78° F. Leopard geckos do not require temperature drops at night.

Also, I have a ZooMed pad stuck to the underside of my warm side. It covers about a third of the width of my 24" x 12" 20 gallon tank. It is hooked to a Rheostat designed for reptiles (can't think of the mfg.). My thermometers are the cheap Exo Terra stick-ons and I have placed one in each lower-back corner. When the Rheostat is on HIGH, the temp on the warm side only gets to about 80-85.

Dial thermometers are usually off by 20 degrees, if not more. I would replace those thermometers with a temp. gun or two digital thermometers with probes.

Do I have a bad heat pad?

I think it's the thermometers, not the heat pad.

My substrate is a reptile carpet.

I really don't like reptile carpet mainly because geckos get their toenails and teeth stuck on the carpet fibers. I recommend tile or paper towels.

Also, I do have a lamp but only have it on st night for a little while to view. It is a nighttime incandescent that gives of a really dull purpleish hue. Thanks for any help.

As long as it is dull and not on for several hours, it should be fine.