Heating ?

[Ringo]

I have a quick question about how to heat my 20 gallon glass tank. I found a 10 - 20 gallon UTH at the school my mom teaches at and they said I could have it. The problem is I am going to have to have a light to view the gecko cause its dark in the room im gonna keep it in. I was gonna get a small dome light to use but do I need to use the UTH and the light or just get a light for the heat source. The way I have it set up for my ball python is the UTH is on the warm side and the light is on the cool side to help maintain a cool temp of 80 degrees but im affraid that it might get too hot for the leopard gecko. The room temp is usually around 75 degrees.

[Gecko Den]

do I need to use the UTH and the light or just get a light for the heat source.

Belly heat is recommended to aid with digestion.

[bonheki]

I have a quick question about how to heat my 20 gallon glass tank. I found a 10 - 20 gallon UTH at the school my mom teaches at and they said I could have it. The problem is I am going to have to have a light to view the gecko cause its dark in the room im gonna keep it in. I was gonna get a small dome light to use but do I need to use the UTH and the light or just get a light for the heat source. The way I have it set up for my ball python is the UTH is on the warm side and the light is on the cool side to help maintain a cool temp of 80 degrees but im affraid that it might get too hot for the leopard gecko. The room temp is usually around 75 degrees.

well i dont have a gecko but what i know is that they love the light and warmness soo imideatly get a lamp look for a local reptile shop and ask about the lamps also look for their food they may only eat every now and then

[Argentra]

Since a good temp for a leo warm side is around 85, I don't see a problem as long as that UTH is on a t-stat. My adult male is in a 10gal tank with a UTH under the warm side and two timed lamps (day and night since these guys are nocturnal) holding 40wtt bulbs. The day lamp is aimed over the warm side and the night lamp is sort of central/warm side. The room I keep him in is also rather dark in the daytime, so I use the lamps as his time reminder as well as for added ambient heat.

Since you have a 20gal, I would place the UTH under your warm side hide on a t-stat to have the substrate surface at 83-85 by digital thermometer. The lamp can be above his warm side for general light and added warmth. Just make sure the bulb you put in isn't too strong and you should be fine.

Of course, if any of the true experts here say different, then I sit corrected.

[Gecko Den]

well i dont have a gecko but what i know is that they love the light and warmness soo imideatly get a lamp look for a local reptile shop and ask about the lamps also look for their food they may only eat every now and then

What?!? They love the light? Wow, that must be a new thing seeing as how they are nocturnal and all. Really, if you don't have any geckos, and don't know what you are talking about in regards to the proper care and maintenance of geckos, do you really think you should be giving advice on how they should be heated?

Ringo, please go buy the "leopard Gecko Handbook" prior to getting a gecko, it isn't very expensive and is full of great info regarding the basic care. Please, for the sake of your future gecko, invest the $7 in the book and do your research. You, and your gecko, will be glad that you did.

[Bright202]

When I had my leos I had a heat lamp running 12/12 then a UVB 12/12 (12 hours on, 12 hours off) UTH would run 24/7. Get 2 hides a water dish, and some decoration. I gave my little guys away to my little neighbour and their still living, I think its been a good 7 years. Hope this helps!

[Ringo]

ive been using rheostats for my ball pythons tank for the UTH and lights and the temps stay really constant. thats probably what i will use for the gecko since they are much cheaper. i figure why change what works. i was just afraid that the light and a uth would be too hot. im still kind of questioning the reptile sand. i know everyone says absolutely not to use it but i went to a pet store the other day and noticed they were using sand for all of their lizards. I asked them about it since everyone on here says not to use it and they said we have been using it for a long time and have never had any problems with it. The people that own it are super nice people and I dont think they would feed me a bunch of bull crap. Thats why im still considering sand.

[Gecko Den]

im still kind of questioning the reptile sand. i know everyone says absolutely not to use it but i went to a pet store the other day and noticed they were using sand for all of their lizards. I asked them about it since everyone on here says not to use it and they said we have been using it for a long time and have never had any problems with it.

It's all about risk mitigation. I know a lot of people who's kids have never gulped down a bottle of bleach but we still keep safety locks on our cabinets here at our house. By using a loose substrate you increase the chances of ingestion and possible impaction. Ultimately, the choice is yours but how will you feel if you lose a gecko because you wanted a "cool looking" tank with sand as a substrate?

[Ringo]

Since we have moved on to the ever so contriversial conversation of sand substrates since I am still learning as much as I possibly can about these awesome little guys. No one to learn better from than you guys since you have lots of experience keeping them. What is the deal with calcium sands. Everyone of course says they are bad but are they not digestable? For example T-Rex Bone Aid Calci Sand. It is made from 100% calcium carbonate which is digestable and good for leopard geckos. Because calcium carbonate is the same thing that you dust feeder insects with as a supplement. Or are you all getting laughing side cramps thinking can you believe this idiot lol. Im just trying to make logical observations and learn from my stupidity when you guys correct me.

[Kristy]

My suggestion is this. Since leos are nocturnal, they don't require uv light but it won't hurt them either. I would get a low watt compact UV coil bulb, they are about $10. They will fit right into your dome lamp. They don't put off heat, at least not nearly enough to warm the tank. That way you can give your leo a day /night cycle, some benificial (not required) uv rays to bask in if he likes, in the dark room.

Then just use the UTH as a primary heat source since they need belly heat. Just do 12 hours of light, 12 hours of no light.