Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At the pet store the guy suggested an under the tank heater and a ceramic heating element to heat the tank. Does this sound like a good idea? Would a heat bulb be better? Do the leopard geckos need any sort of light? Also what are the best temps for both the hot and cooler sides of the tanks to be? Does the humid hide go on the hot side or the cooler side? Should you change the temps between day and night?

Thanks so much guys for the help and answering my questions and such, the heating of the tank is the one thing that is still worring me.

a regular house hold light bulb(65-100watt)will heat and light the tank great all by itself placing it on the side you want to be the hot side of the tank,a undertank heater is a good idea in the winter if the room the gecko is in gets a little cool and want to make sure he/she will have heat at night,or what i use is a black heat light at night which emits a very low glow making it visable to watch them at night when they are most active.Day temps are usually 85-88degrees and at night can drop to 80f,the humid hide should be placed on the hot side of the tank misted about every 2 days or so,make sure you have 2 hides one on the hot side and one on the cooler side of the tank.

good luck either way,
kali

I use only an undertank heater. I like it the best, because my leos are able to stay warm and comfortable even when they're hiding. If you do get a UTH, you will have to buy a rheostat or thermostat to plug it into so you can regulate the temperature. Otherwise they will more often than not heat to dangerous levels. Leos are noc-turnal, so you don't need any bulbs. But lighting would help them distinguish night from day. Since I keep my tanks in a room that gets natural lighting through windows, I don't worry about timers and whatnot.

Keep the humid hide on the warm side, but don't place it completely direct on the heat source.
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chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

So you think that just an under the tank heater would be fine? Would it keep the non heated side warm enough? My house can get kinda cool esp at night.

"Keep the humid hide on the warm side, but don't place it completely direct on the heat source"

So would this mean if I need to raise it off the floor of the tank?

A UTH is enough because it warms up the floor of the tank where these guys are walking and need the warmth on their bellies to properly digest their food. But if your house gets cold at night, then a secondary heat source for your tank would be a good idea so they don't have to breathe in cold air.

I meant that you shouldn't place the humid hide right where the UTH is. Have only half of it (or even less) on the UTH and the other half off--enough to keep it warm and humid, but not so that it gets too warm and your leo has to lay on the UTH to enjoy his humid hide.

And be sure you get a rheostat (dimmer) or thermostat when you purchase a UTH.
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chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

Ok I think I got it now. Thanks so much for the help guys!