Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do I need to simulate it? I take it I do, since they are noturnal... How long should I leave lights on? Should heating pad always be on? What about baskin?

Do you reccomend automatic lighting, if so where do they sell such devices?

I think lighting is a matter of personal preference.

For example, my adult leopard gecko terrarium has only one light that stays on 24-7; it's a red bulb, 150 W. My cage is long (almost 35" and having this light allows for a hot side in the range of 90-95 degrees and a colder range on the opposite side that hovers between 75-80 (depending on whether or not it's night time and the ambient temperature in my house).

I have read past posts where other people's geckos did not adapt very well to red light.

However, if you want to have a varying light gradient (bright light = daytime and black light = night time) then really two lamps are required. You can pick up a timer at Home Depot or Lowes or wherever for right around $8 each. These things are GREAT!!! Cheap and yet it keeps your reptiles' schedules very consistent - I have the timers all over the house and my bearded dragon especially thanks me!!. Anyway, you could have the day light plugged into one timer and the night light plugged into a separate timer. Or, if you play around with the bulb wattages, you could have only the day light on a timer and just leave the night light on 24-7. That's the process I use in my beardie's terrarium - keeps daytime basking temps up there. But, I don't recommend trying to use both lights if you are only dealing with a 10 or 20 gallon. Watch temps closely, don't want to get too hot!!!

I have spent A LOT of money on trying to get the right bulb wattages for heat... good luck.

Under tank heater should be left on at all times.

- D

Oh I am just using a pretty basic light, not especially for heating... Not to mention only 75 watts max....

How do black lights work exactly? Projects darkness/simulares? Never had one... My cage will probably be in a dark place anyways

How long day/night?

What exactly is a "pretty basic light, not especially for heating?"

I'm under the impression that geckos need to have a day time temp of 90 - 95 (gecko experts out there, please correct me if I am wrong) and a night time temp of 75 ( /- a few degrees) to 80.

Depending on the season, some gecko owners do a "cool down" period where in the winter time the daytime max temps don't get any higher than say 85 or so.

A night light would be used a.) for viewing purposes and b.) for temperature control purposes. For example, I live in an old house and although my thermostat my say 70, some rooms are actually slightly colder. So, it's important to provide the night time light so that my geckos don't get too cold.

What size is the terrarium you are using? My experience (and also where I live in Texas), I use a 75 W night time bulb in conjunction with a 100 W day time bulb (this is for my bearded dragon terrarium, with a basking spot temp in the range of 90 - 95 in a 55 gallon terrarium). In my gecko terrarium, it's slightly smaller, I use a max combination of 150 W on the hot side.

Lighting and temperature control are VERY important. Geckos need certain temperature ranges in order to digest food properly and to also maintain their immune system.

If cost is an issue, here is some suggestions:
Reptile Lamp (rated for higher wattages and also comes with a hanging mechanism - found at any pet store) = $12
One day bulb at, say, 75 W = $8
One night bulb at, say 75 W = $8
One timer for the day time bulb = $8

Total cost = $36

Suggested wattages are based on an ambient room temp of 70-75 and a 30 gallon terrarium.
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2.0 Dogs (Dante the 110 lb. drooling lab & Amos the mutt)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (Lazlo - the pickiest lizard every met)
1.4 Leopard Geckos (Randall, Dagny, Kira, Dominique and Ayn)
1.0 Husband (the most obnoxious and yet rewarding pet of all!)
dacia2002@yahoo.com

I am using a basic reptile 75 watt with a regular house bulb... I don't have any leos yet... I also live in texas with similar circumstances. I guess all lights do put off heat, just didn't know if I wanted it to be a primary heat source... Heck I haven't even plugged anything in yet.

And I am getting a 29 gallon

Where in Texas do you live?

Leopards dont require any lighting fixtures at all to be healthy. A uth is necessary though. I used flourecent lighting specially for reptiles, and did find that the leo's skin looked brighter and the colors stuck out more. So its up to you if you want to put up lighting fixtures.

Could you tell me exactly what type of specific reptile flourecent bulb you were using?

Thanks
Red

>>Leopards dont require any lighting fixtures at all to be healthy. A uth is necessary though. I used flourecent lighting specially for reptiles, and did find that the leo's skin looked brighter and the colors stuck out more. So its up to you if you want to put up lighting fixtures.
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

Currently residing in Austin.

Weather here is so weird... some days it's 70 in the middle of January, then other times people are stranded because of an ice storm (although that hasn't happened in awhile).

If you still have questions about the lighting, the best thing I can recommend is to do research... from reading posts on this forum, so many people do it different ways and have success!!

It's a matter of personal preference and budget. Me, when my house dips down and is cold, I am thankful for my varying heat sources. Whether it be from a bulb source or an under tank heater. The key, and most important thing really, is that heat in some form is provided.
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2.0 Dogs (Dante the 110 lb. drooling lab & Amos the mutt)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (Lazlo - the pickiest lizard every met)
1.4 Leopard Geckos (Randall, Dagny, Kira, Dominique and Ayn)
1.0 Husband (the most obnoxious and yet rewarding pet of all!)
dacia2002@yahoo.com

personnally, and I'm pretty new to leos, i use a 60W reptile bulb that came w/ my tank, and an UTH. I have the 60W on a timer, 12 hour day (8-8), 12 hour nite... I also have a 25W red party bulb that I plug into my lamp at nite when I want to view him. W/ the bulb and UTH on one side, it usually gets to 88-90 on the hot side, and a little under 80 on the cold side... at nite its usually a little under 80 hot, a little under 75 cold...

and you say u haven't plugged anything in yet? I suggest plugging stuff in and seeing how it works, and u can play w/ the temps before u get your leo... thats what I did w/ mine...