Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is it absolutly nessecary to have a thermostat when using a UTH? i was just wonering getting a leo in about 2 weeks and just wanting to kno. another question is if i turn off the UTH at night and they dont have any heat source at night becides heat from my house is that alright?

I would recomend if your not going to have a thermostat to get a digital thermometer and place the probe on the substrate (just lay it on the top on the hot side) so that you can more accurately monitor the temp's. Depending on the substrate that you use if its going to be papertowels or slate rock or tiles it would be best to go to home depot and ask them for a lamp dimmer switch. You plug your UTH into the dimmer switchs plug and that way you can turn the UTH up or down depending on your temps. I would never turn your UTH off at night either as your gecko really needs to have a hot and cool side constantly to self regulate body temps. Low temps can cause your gecko to get sick. For now thats the best advice i can give on heating.

Good luck,
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Lepard Gecko
0.0.4 Beta's
3.1.0 Warm blooded life sucking spawns.

I would def suggest using a rheostat. Its about 25.00 and saves the stress of having to constantly question what the temps are. I used to just have a uth and kept a dig therm in there...sometimes it would be mid 80's but would fluctuate to low 70's even higher to 90's....thats no good.

where did you buy your rehostat at?
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Lepard Gecko
0.0.4 Beta's
3.1.0 Warm blooded life sucking spawns.

U se just normal old YTH purchased at the herp store pluged into the wall on all my herps Leopard Geckos, Anoles, Boas, Corn Snakes. No problems as of yet.
My Research and Collection

I don't want to advertise but its a 500 watt Rheostat...hint hint...you'll figure it out.

America's great auction site is a good place to check.