Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my son and i are setting up a 15gal tank as a home for a soon to be purchased leo. we have attached an 8x8 uth (exo-terra) on the right hand side. initial substrate was 2 pieces of 12x12 tile. the uth seemed to heat a very localized area equivalent to the uth area. we then tried placing about 1" of playsand under the tile, thinking it might act as a better heat conductor. with the sand base, the uth seemd to heat up a slightly larger surface area, but still not nearly sufficient to get the proper temp gradient. I would rather not use a heat lamp because my son is 8, and he has a 6 year old sister, and I don't want them handling a heat lamp. The store owner recommended the 8x8 uth. Will we be able to acheive the desired gradient range with a larger uth? Wondern if the shop owner will alow me to trade up, would hate to think i wasted $24! Thanks in advance for any comments.

I think it'll be alright. As long as it's getting up to around 90F, it shouldn't be a problem. The point, as I'm sure you know, is to have a variety of temps to choose from. Having an 8" area to choose from should be good. Have fun with your pet when you get it.

...and if it gets too hot you can pick up a lamp dimmer from home depot or lowes so you can control it. You don't have to do any rewiring, the UTH simply plugs into the dimmer plug and then you just plug in the dimmer and you're good to go. Thats what I have on all 4 of my leo setups.
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Leopard Geckos
1.0.0 Tremper Albino - Turbo
0.1.0 Blazing Blizzard - Blizzy
0.1.0 Tangerine - Daisy
0.2.0 Tangerine carrot-tail baldy - Sunshine, Amber
1.1.0 Hi-yellow - Tiger Lily, Ginger

VTEC and Graniteer, thanks for your quick replies. I will monitor a little more closely. To be honest, i have based my earlier comments on feel of the tiles (thye simply feel very cool to the touch), I should place a thermometer in the tank. What would you suggest as far as thermometer placement? Should i be concerned will floor/tile temps, or overall air temps in the tank? Also, what typ of thermometer should i sue to check tile temps? against, thanks for your help.

Digital probe thermometers are great. Temps guns are good. You should also pick up a hygrometer to measure humidty to make sure you are not producing more then 30% humidity at all times in the tank. Too much humidity can cause alot of problems in leos such as a URI. Temps should be 85-90 hot side and 70-75 cool side. You should have 2 suffiecient hides for the leo one should be a humid hide and one should be a cool hide. They will regulate there temps to what they prefer at that time. You should also have a dish with PURE calcuim no D3 in the cage at all times. They will eat as they need the calcuim.

Good luck and congrats on the newbie. (When he arrives) I hope all goes well.