Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm posting this on the leo and crested board for happy, healthy vibes. And because there is no one else to talk to around here.

So our (normally not all that bad) apartment manager decides to replace all our windows with 24 hour notice when the max temp outside is 50sF and rainy. Then the whole management company seems to have left to go on a retreat so all the people I usually ask questions of are all out of the offices. So questions like "what the (blank) are you guys thinking?" and "what do I do with my geckos you know I have" aren't getting a lot of answers... well, ok, the temp girl suggested putting them in the bathtub. Not really a bad idea, we were thinking the walk in closet and then borrowing one of those portable heaters that starts fires, but not a good solution really.

So I figure I'm game and several internet and phonebook searches actually end up with the cell phone of the owner of the contracting company. He listens to me, is really nice and says that we should be able to get one room done first and then they'll let us run the geckos into there and lock the door with the heater. OK, great, a ton better than the closet, assuming it will work. I have very little confidence that it will work. I have this feeling they'll get paid by the window not the hour and won't even bother with us. Not to mention my boyfriend who will just be getting home from his 10 hour shift about an hour before the window guys show up. Grumpy boyfriend and grumpy, frightened, geckos.

If there is a herp god out there, please take care of my geckos tomorrow. At this time tomorrow night I would like to still have two beautiful, original tails attached, well adjusted geckos. I will even accept my crested being annoyed at me because she no longer gets to watch football if everything tomorrow goes smoothly. (They will finally be moving back to their rooms after a summer under the AC and in front of the TV.)

Thanks for listening. -Sleepy
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Sleepy, those little space heaters really aren't all that bad. Snag one from Lowes and return it when it's all good & done. Or wrap blankets around their cages! Hey..that's a good idea..
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2.2 Corn Snakes
1.2 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Crested Geckos
1.2 Green Anoles
1.0 Russian Tortoise
3.2 House Cats
0.0.1 African Millipede

RIP
Alice, Bruno, Lars

If they're in a glass tank, I don't see why a good basking light wouldn't hold the ambient temps high enough within the cage.. You can pick up the reflective dome from any home improvement store and use pretty much any flood light type bulb of around 100 watts.. The space heater isn't a bad idea either, the oil filled ones are perfectly safe.. The basking light seems a lil more logical though.. I wouldn't worry too much, 50 degrees isn't too dangerous as long as the animals have their heat source..

I'd go with NCs idea. A heat lamp will do fine. I've got a leo and an AFT in my basement year round and it gets down into the 50 there during the winter. Actually all I use are a ceramic heat emiter on one and an under tank heat pad on the other and they both do well. Don't worry

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Everything worked out as well as it could. It was VERY cold, but one of the guys working on our windows is a snake guy. Can't beat that for understanding.

Oh, and the heater we borrowed... it was the original from my parents or possibly grandparents. It is circa pre 1970s, chocolate brown and all metal with exposed resistance wires. Definitely a fire starter.

Thanks for the good advice too... obviously, we have back up plans for emergencies, (even hand warmer packs) but wanted something as smooth and simple as possible to minimize the stress.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock