Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK..my wife and I have decided to change our leo setup. We are going to a 20 - 30 gallon tank (our what ever walmart has in that range) and we will use tile as a sub. My question's are:

1) can I reuse my exoterra UTH that is now on my 10 gallon
2) How do I control the temp and will this method be enough heat
3) How do I measure the heat on the tile and what should it be
4) Is environmental or substrate heat more important
5) where do I get the calcium for my leo; is t-rex "Leopard Gecko Dust" enough

Thanks in advance...

1) can I reuse my exoterra UTH that is now on my 10 gallon

Answer: You should be able to.

2) How do I control the temp and will this method be enough heat

Answer: It should, if it's not quite warm enough use a light also. You also should use a thermostat to control the heat.

3) How do I measure the heat on the tile and what should it be

Answer: Get a temp gun, available on proexotics.com for $25

4) Is environmental or substrate heat more important

Answer: Both important however surfance more important since the leos lay on the surface, and if the surface is right temp then the air above it for a inch or two will be very close to the same.

5) where do I get the calcium for my leo; is t-rex "Leopard Gecko Dust" enough

Answer: It should be, however many people including myself also have a dish of supplimental calcium powder into the tank as to allow the geckos to regularte more calcium intake if needed. Still continue to dust every meal.
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Thanks, Briggzer

>>1) can I reuse my exoterra UTH that is now on my 10 gallon

Probably not. Damage can occur when peeling it off and cause it to malfunction later. Better just to leave it on.

>>2) How do I control the temp and will this method be enough heat

Thermostat (preferrably with a probe) Repti-Temp 500R is probably your cheapest choice. You could also use a rheostat.

>>3) How do I measure the heat on the tile and what should it be

Digital Thermometer. 88-90 on the hot end (the end with the UTH), 78-80 on the cool end

>>4) Is environmental or substrate heat more important

Both are important... but I think substrate is more important. It allows to leos to lay on it and digest the food better.

>>5) where do I get the calcium for my leo; is t-rex "Leopard Gecko Dust" enough
Calcium with D3 is good, as well as a multivitamin
Any of the supplies mentioned can be purchased from a variety of places:

http://www.lllreptile.com/
http://www.herpfood.com/
http://www.reptiledirect.com/
http://www.reptiledepot.com
http://www.beanfarm.com/
http://www.bigappleherp.com/
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com