Using a thermal heat pad

Hey Forum

I was planning on getting a leopard gecko in January at the Reptile Show. I already have a terrarium, two hides, and a water bowl. I plan on using paper towels as substrate. My question is this: can I use those human thermal pads to heat the terrarium, or should I stick to an UTH (no pun intended)?

If I should stick to UTHs, how big should I get it? (the terrarium is the same width and length as a 10g, but half the height)

I am using one of those for my roaches i dont see any harm in doing that i think your leo will be fine. ? can you set your pad to high, medium, or low if you cant not a good idea.

oh okay cool. What setting would be okay?

I would use an under tank heater that is designed to be on 24/7. I would be very cautious using a regular heat pad. Whatever you go with, I would make sure it covers roughly 1/3 of the bottom of the cage and gets a nice hot spot of around 90 degrees. The cold end can be low 70s with no problems as long as it has a good heat source to get warm. Be careful of ambient temps dropping to low in winter with an open top cage.

GL!

How do you use the UTH? is there anything special I need to opr. it? Also do they sell them at reptile shows and are the cheaper there?

UTH for your tank can be got at petsmart for about $20 but you also want a thermostat or rheostat to regulate it. The small UTH can get to 120 to 130 degrees if not regulated.;)

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

UTH for your tank can be got at petsmart for about $20 but you also want a thermostat or rheostat to regulate it. The small UTH can get to 120 to 130 degrees if not regulated.;)

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Were do i get a thermostat and how do they cost?

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Originally Posted by Herp4life11

Were do i get a thermostat and how do they cost?

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you can check at petco, petsmart only sells rheostats and they run about $25 I think. you can also go to your hardware store and get a "lamp dimmer" to use for now with the heat pad plugged into it.
The dimmer will take some time to get it dialed in but then you shouldnt have to mess with it too much.

Also a note to others with a similar question...most thermal heat pads will shut off after a certain amount of time. I know mine automatically turns itself off after an hour of use. Imagine having to return to your leopard gecko's cage every hour just to maintain the heat! Not to mention fire hazards... ;)

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Originally Posted by Dagan

Also a note to others with a similar question...most thermal heat pads will shut off after a certain amount of time. I know mine automatically turns itself off after an hour of use. Imagine having to return to your leopard gecko's cage every hour just to maintain the heat! Not to mention fire hazards... ;)

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So how would I get it to stay on? I thought the hot side for a Leo needs to stay like 90? How can you do that if the UTH shuts off every hour???

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Originally Posted by shootingstar26

can I use those human thermal pads to heat the terrarium

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Human pads turn off every hour

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Originally Posted by Herp4life11

How can you do that if the UTH shuts off every hour???

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UTH stay on all the time, unless you use a t-stat to control temp(then it will cycle off and on), or a rheostat aka;dimmer(which cuts voltage back to regulate temp.)