Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so last night I finished setting up my leopard gecko cage and I haven't been able to get the warm side into the mid 80's or the cooler side into the mid 70s. Its a 10 gallon and I'm using a Flukers 5.5 clamp lamp with a 60w bulb. Should I up the wattage? My lamp is only rated for 75 watts. Or should I get a higher wattage lamp and bulb?

You can get a piece of Lexan cut that fits on the inside lip of the tank about half the length. That way you can adjust the temp. by sliding it back and forth.

My suggestion is to get a TRex Cobra Heat Mat and put the humid hide so it's halfway over it. Then the temp in the hide will always be warm enough.
-----
Rick-Geckoland USA
My email

What kind of bulb are you using?
I use a 75 watt infrared bulb but my room is 60 degrees.
I sugges putting the bulb in the center of the screen and put a thin piece of clothe over the rest of the screen, then during the day have a 15 watt normal bulb near the hot side.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko
Coming Soon
1.0 ball python

My room is probably around in the 60 degree range because I'm in the basement. I'm using a 60w Full-Spectrum Daylight Heat Lamp. Would a 75w really get the temp in to the 80s?

then I understand the need for the bulb. I will say, however, that with heat mats the ambient air temp can be 70 and they will be fine. If their hides and ambient air are always 86-88 then they will have nowhere to cool off, which is a bad thing. My leos cages have their hides at 86-88 and the floor in a shltered dry area at 88 and they are absolutely fine. It gradients from that to about 75 on one side. Good luck.

A 60 watt bulb is fine for heating both cold and warm. It would be better to get a clear 60 watt bulb. I used to use a plain 60 watt and it got the temp up to 84.

I read your post and just wanted to comment on my experience. I have had my leos for about 3 years now and used heat bulbs when I first had them. After switching to cobra under tank heaters at the advice of some members here my leos become more active, ate better, ate from their vitimin dish more, and were generally more personable. I know of some that use lights during the day for light cycles, but as for heat, my experience is heat mats are better, and like the previous poster said, put the humid hide half on and half off. Good luck