How to set up a lamp in a Gecko Viv?

Hi all,
We're rescuing a leopard gecko at the end of the week, and we've got our set up pretty much down. My problem is that in the winter our room gets pretty cold, and so I'd like to get a red light heat bulb for having on during the winter to keep ambient temps up. My biggest question is though, what wattage bulb would I need, and what sort of thermostat? Thank you!

With a thermostat, especially a proportional one, you can err on the slightly higher wattage side for the bulb. We have both Herpstat and Vivarium Electronics (Reptile Basics) thermostats for the snakes, both are good, I like the Herpstats a little better.

If you only need/want the bulb for heat, consider a ceramic heat emitter (uses the same fixture as a red heat bulb) or a radiant heat panel (RHP) - they produce heat, but don't use extra energy creating visible light.


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Thank you for your reply :)
My problem with using a CHE (which I use in my 4ft tanks, I love them) is that I worry that it won't create an appropriate heat gradient, as in my 4ft tanks when the lamp is at 33C, the cold side is 25-27C and so in a smaller tank I worry that the cold side will be too hot, if that makes sense? To be fair they are 100w bulbs, would lover wattage ones create a more appropriate gradient? It's a 2ft viv we have, by the way.
Also, I've read a few people use dimmer switches (Not dimming thermostats) with bulbs. Is that something that would work or is it a no-no?

EDIT: I'm actually stupid, I'm not trying to create a heat gradient, just a good ambient temp :rolleyes: I'm guessing a 50w CHE (If I used that instead of the red light) should be sufficient for this?

A dimmer will work, but you have to check temps and manually adjust whenever the temperature in the house changes significantly - night and morning, at minimum.

Exact wattage and setup (with any heat source) are going to depend on your household temperatures, viv setup, thermostat probe placement, etc. You'll probably have to make an educated guess on wattage, set things up, and adjust as needed.

For ambient temps I'd probably start with a t-stat probe in the middle of the viv or 2/3 up, height-wise, and under the heat source. Set for the mid-range temperature target, give it some time to warm up, then take temps throughout the viv and decide where to go from there. You'll still probably get a range of temperatures, you'll have to decide what's acceptable.


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