Any reptile fans out there?

**FireBrewer** · 11-09-2011, 01:25 PM

We bought a leopard gecko the other day along with the 10g aquarium/terrarium/whatever, thermometer, day and night lights and an stick-on under-the-tank heater. Having trouble getting the thing to stay above 75F. Any suggestions? What to buy? What not to buy?

Thanks.

**ThickHead** · 11-09-2011, 01:28 PM

Mmmmmm.....Iguana en Pinol.

**FireBrewer** · 11-09-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThickHead

Mmmmmm.....Iguana en Pinol.

I was gonna ask the girl at the store which goes better, mayo or mustard.

wildwest450 · 11-09-2011, 03:20 PM

Please ditch the daylight(unless it's not a heat lamp), they are super bright and can damage little gecko eyeballs. Just get a ceramic heating element with a thermostat, it will provide all the heat necessary.

_

Tbone66 · 11-09-2011, 04:13 PM

I agree with wildwest, get rid of the day light. Since they are nocturnal they don’t need the light and it can hurt their eyes. If you want a viewing light use a low wattage bulb and keep it on 12 hrs a day. My recommendation would be either ceramic heat element or a radiant heat panel paired with a rheostat to keep a constant temp. By the way what’s the ambient temp of the room? When I kept snakes I used to keep the "reptile room" at around 76 degrees in case a heating element failed and I was gone. You should also have (if you don’t) a hide on the hot side (86-90 deg F) of the terrarium with some moist moss or coconut coir inside for shedding or chillin purposes. If you have any other husbandry questions you can PM me and I can go into more detail for you.

Ryan

**GilaMinumBeer** · 11-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Do you have any idea of the humidity in the tank?

Keeping the humidity in the proper range will help keep the temp stable.

Is the tank an open screened top?

Covering the majority of the top, and still alowing some airflow, will help also to hold the temps stable inside the tank.

And yes, ditch the daylight lamp. LG's don't need the UVB. Use either a ceramic, Infra red, or Higher wattage Night lamp.

What size heating pad are you using?

I find that a 10+ gallon tank needs the 18" pad at minimum to provide enough heat.

I am currently working on a new 100g Paludarium for my community of Firebelly toads, tree frogs, Anoles, and Golden Geckos (when they become available).

**r2eng** · 11-09-2011, 10:53 PM

Congrats! +1 to the ceramic heater.

Our Bearded Dragon of 8 years died last month. Cool pet, loved to run around the floor hunting for spiders.

**FireBrewer** · 11-10-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbone66

By the way what’s the ambient temp of the room?

72F or so.

Quote:

You should also have (if you don’t) a hide on the hot side (86-90 deg F) of the terrarium with some moist moss or coconut coir inside for shedding or chillin purposes.

Have a hiding place with moist moss, hides there most of the day.

Quote:

If you have any other husbandry questions you can PM me and I can go into more detail for you.

Awesome, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

Do you have any idea of the humidity in the tank?

50% right now, trying to get it lower.

Quote:

Is the tank an open screened top?

Yup. Gonna address that next.

Quote:

And yes, ditch the daylight lamp. LG's don't need the UVB. Use either a ceramic, Infra red, or Higher wattage Night lamp.

Got it.

Quote:

What size heating pad are you using?

6x8? About that size.

Ok, going shopping today. Ceramic heater, bigger heat pad.

Thanks for the help, guys! Wish the people at the store were as helpful as hoembrew store staff.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 11-10-2011, 02:49 PM

Reading suggests keeping the humidity no lower than 50% to keep the skin moisture up and promote shedding.

**passedpawn** · 11-10-2011, 02:49 PM

reptile fans have herpes