Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been having eating probs with my Leo from earlier posts which by the way were very helpful.

This morn, I thought what if UTH isnt working. I stuck probe right through substrate to bottom of tank where the heater is and it was 74 degrees. That thing cant be working can it?

If its not, anyone ever had to take one off? Its on there good.
I am really frustrated. Leo was cold to the touch this morning. I feel terrible...

So those things just burn out or whats the deal?

Thanks

Well that sucks, good thing you found that out. I would just drop the whole thing and use a good ol' tank light. You don't need to but that would give a day and night affect. Just get a blue or red buld and let it sit over tank all thetime.

If that thing is a heat pad, they aren't very much used with other leo people. Try a lamp.

Hope helps.
Austin Rice
1.2
eggs w00t

So I could just stick with a daylight bulb of 75 watt, that keeps things at about 88 degrees and then use a red bulb at night? Is that what you mean and forget the UTH?

Actually, very many people use UTH's for thier setup. This is because leos need belly heat in order to function properly. Also, leos that didn't have a UTH and weren't eating, begin eating MUCH better when a UTH was introduced. Just thought I'd let ya know.

Hey i had the same problem i noticed my gecko was pushing a LOT of fat into her tail suddenly and being lethargic, then i noticed the heat pad had fallen (i have a glass tank). Recently it stopped working too,mine's made by flukers. I had it for 4 years straight always on 24/7 though. Now i swtiched to human heat pads, since i can afford to replace something that's $20 CND rather than $60 every couple of years. And i also agree with the former post, you should have UTH for their digestion. Usually mine don't like to be basking in the light they rather be in a dark warm spot.
Good luck

Im replying to my own message, how sad..

I took pad off and over 3/4 was ice cold except for like one corner that was hot and started to melt the plastic.

Is there another alternative to these things? Who knows how many nights Leo froze his arse off.... I dont want to rely on UTH if I dont have to..

Any ideas?

how long did you have it?????

Going on 3 weeks.

maybe it was just bad to begin with take it back and get your money back and get light fixure with a black buld or buy another UTH

sorry if someone already said this, to lazy to read all the posts. My 2 females love the UTH, they lay on it at night and that gives me a cance to watch them and gives them a chance to see the crickets I drop in for them.
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1.2 leopard geckos
0.0.2 red ear sliders
2.2 cats
0.1 dogs
1.3 scorpions (if my momma lets me)

With some sort of temperature control.

You really should replace the uth. You should also get a rehostat. They should have them near where they have the heaters. It will look like an extension cord with a dial in the middle of it. This will alow you to adjust the temps. Just as important please get a digital thermometer with a probe. The indoor/outdoor kind. These are sold at most hardware stores as well as walmarts and karmart and target type stores. Set the probe in the tank on the hot spot and adjust the rehostat accordingly. Leave the thermometer probe in the tank and the base where you can see it. This will help to ensure the proper temps. This is the best way for you to regulate your temps(a light will work but this is more benificial). The belly heat will help to stimulate his appetite and help aid in digestion.
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Sleep, what is that???????
Just my thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Jeremy Letkey
jletkey@yahoo.com

Thanks, I went and exchanged heater today, I will put it back in use. Seems to me he ate better with it as well. Hope this helps my problem. Another post of mine was regargding some foriegn mattter as his waste. Very possible he may have worms. ACK

Poor lil guy

Great info out there thanks again... I will keep at it.

O and I got a Dig therm with probe too

Sorry you had a bad experience with them! I've read that you have exchanged it for a new one, correct? I'd say that was the right thing to do! Not only does UTH help with appetite AND digestion, it is faar more natural. (Think about it - during the day, much heat comes from the sky/sun. But during the night, the moon radiates no heat, and it all comes from the ground for these guys.)
So... you've probably realized this now, but just check the heat pad every other day to make sure it's working.

Good luck!

Use an infrared heat lamp and just leave it on 24/7.
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The universe is vast and we are so small.
There is only one thing we can truly control.
Whether we are good or evil.
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0.2.0 Normal Leopard Gecko's
1.0.0 Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Veiled Chameleon
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon

I use Cobra brand heat mats for my leos with no problems. They do not have an adhesive, rather, they are sealed units that can be attached with packing tape and removed later with care. They can also be used inside of the tanks. I have used the same ones for 2 years now 24/7 and they are still operating perfectly. I highly recommend them. The can buy them for a reasonable price through herpsupplies.com.

I also wanted to comment on two things I am reading here in your replies. First, avoid human heating pads. I used one once and it developed a hot spot and began melting. If I did not catch it when I did it would have started a fire. It was a sunbeam namebrand so it can happen to any one. They ARE NOT designed to be on 24/7 I also know many people use lights, but I used lights when I first had my leos and they were less active, and had many more problems with shedding and eating. Since going to the cobra mats - I have had zero instances of eating or shedding problems, and no malfunctions of my mats. Just my .02

Finally - I see you think it may be the mat. I do not know how your vet operates, but mine allows me to just have the fecal done for 15 bucks. I would do that if you can with yours, just to be sure. Good luck.

-Sean
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livXpreshun
1.1 High Yellow Leopard Geckos "Halo & Storm" [seperate cages]
0.1 Patternless Female Leopard Gecko "Wave"

"It takes a certain maturity of mind to accept that nature works as steadily in rust as in rose petals." - Esther Warner Dendel