Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Quick question on heat lamps. I've had my girl for almost a year and a half now and wanted to clarify the use of heat lamps in the summer. I have a thermometer in the tank and at around 11 AM it reads 80-90 degrees without the heat lamp on. With it on it can reach 100 or even over before I dive for it and turn it off. If I turn on the AC in the room it goes to 75.

I know the lamp aids in digestion and provides many other health benefits. I've been leaving the lamp off for the majority of the summer because I don't want to overheat her. Is this still the right thing to do?

She also has a humid hide and a UTH that is on 24/7.

Thanks!

I would suggest a timer for the lamp and UTH. In the summer, at least, it's unlikely that you'll need or want both on simultaneously. What I do is run the light in the day and the UTH at night, and that keeps the temps within the appropriate range.

A power strip with a built in timer to achieve this automatically is about $20 at Petsmart/Petco/whatever other pet store you have access to.

There are also people who would suggest that both you and the gecko would be more comfortable with the A/C running such that the ambient room temp allows for proper temps in the cage...
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

You could also get a thermostat to help keep your habitat consistant. There are a couple kinds that you can purchase that are not too costly at Petsmart and petco, or any other pet place that has reptiles. It is definetly not good for your habitat to get too hot, it can be like placing your habitat in the sun.

Another thought is if you do use a light during the day with your UTH make sure it is not a heat lamp. With a heat lamp and UTH going it is no wonder your tank is getting so hot. they work independently of each other , and both are probably rated to get 100 f or more.
hope this helps

I used to have the same setup until I realized how hot it got inside. If you have a UTH that runs 24/7, I would suggest removing the lamp completely. As long as the leo knows where it can warm up, then s/he will be fine.

-Pat

I only use heat lamps in the winter. But never for my leos.

In the summer, I put my animals who need sun, outside. That is a dragon and a red footed tortoise.

The leopard geckos aren't assisted in digestion by overhead heat, but bottom heat. I would focus on a heat mat. Put a piece of cut out wool rug on it. Put their moist hide on it. They will have moist, warm heat. I have done it for over 5 yrs and all my leos are still alive and thriving.