Creating a temperature "gradient"

[ATLBalls]

I don't know if this is the correct forum to start this thread, but I'll give it a shot.

I have kept reptiles for while now in my two leopard geckos (about 5 years) and i have always used a UTH to keep them warm. What I have never understood is the temperature gradient thing. Over the UTH I get the temperature to where it needs to, but there isn't much of a gradient. The temperature drops off to room temperature almost immediately past the UTH. Is this right? When i think temperature gradient I think of a gradual slide...

How can one spread the temp around a bit more?

[Enve]

Typically the ambient temps in your tank will be about the same as the rooms temps. To create the "proper" ambient temp most people use either a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter which gives off no light) or infrared light on either a rheostat or thermostat.

[tigerlily]

There will be a gradient, although it may be a bit shorter than you'd like. You can always try and insulate the sides of the cage to keep more of the heat in. It will help to raise your ambient temps and the gradient will become more gradual.

[ATLBalls]

is it possible to cover the FW (and the rest of the bottom of the tub) with aluminum foil to reflect as much heat as possible up?

[tigerlily]

is it possible to cover the FW (and the rest of the bottom of the tub) with aluminum foil to reflect as much heat as possible up?

You're probably better off covering the lid in aluminum foil, because the heat will be radiating up so you want to reflect it back down. Defintely doable though.