Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got rid of the repti-bark and put in tile. I tried to put a little sand on top of the tile but she started licking it. So I vacuumed that out right away! I have an UTH with thermostat, so no worries... just wanted to share a pic.

This is a great looking tank in my newbie opinion. Would you mind sharing what type of tile you used and if it is glued down in any way? Also how much of the bottom of the tank would you say your UTH takes up?

Thanks. I'm a newbie at geckos myself. But I've tried to take a lot of collective info. from many sources and this is what I've come up with. I got the tile from Home Depot. It's kind of a heavy tile so it's not glued down in any way. I got the UTH recommended for a 20 gallon tank. It probably only covers 1/4 of the tank. Sometimes I think it should cover more but I've heard 1/4 to 1/3 is all that it should cover.

i think all UTH made for a size of tank only covers up 1/3 or less of that size of tanks. i think that makes since, because heat radiates in all directions, and a 1/3 tank floor size UTH really probably affects 1/2 or more of the tank floor's temperature, its effects are just lessened the farther away from the actual source (UTH). so i think if the UTH is bigger than 1/3, it would probably affect the entire tank, and it would be diffcult to produce an isolated "cooler zone".

That does make sense and that is how I figured it would work. Do either of you use basking lights with your enclosures? I am also curious as to what wattage of bulb to use so that I get a good temp. I really want to spoil my leo when I finally get one...or two.

I tried a light but even a 40 W bulb made the substrate too hot. I can control the temp with the UTH so I prefer to go with that. I don't think leos like the light a whole lot anyway.

That is true but I have read that you shoul have a light anyway and provide 12 hours of light. This helps with their internal clock I suppose. Also I thought of using one of the red bulbs that would not disturb their nocturnal habits to help me view them at night.

My leo is in a room that provides natural light (not directly) so that's enough for her internal clock.

i got just a UTH with a thermostat, i live in S. Cali, so the thermostat is almost on the lowest setting, and i still get like 93F on the bare substrate and 87F in the wet hide. i get enough normal daylight in the room so i dont use any kinda light except a blue aquarium bulb in a desk lamp for me to see and feed the gecko at night.

One of my problems is location. I live in Northern PA so I will definatley have to keep heat minded especially when winter comes. An UTH may be all I need so I will start off with that and get a small buld for feeding/viewing at night. This will also cut down on cost which is very welcome .

the thermostat i got was the one from zoomed, the 500R, it has 2 plug receptacles, so if the UTH is not enough, it can also accomidate(?sp) a reflector too. i know ESU makes one with multiple plugs too, you might want to get one of those, just in case your UTH is not enough in the winter.