Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I set up the heat pad, the temps are still too low. I'm using ceramic tiles as a substrate. I need to boost the temps about 10 degrees. Should I use a heat lamp, if so, what size? Also, I need a way to secure my thermometer. it has a probe and a button on the back that I can press to see what the warm side temp is and cool side is currently and also the highs and lows on either side in the last 24 hours, but the chord for the probe is 5 feet long, can I just run the underneat the tile? but this makes it even harder to heat the tiles also. Heat bulbs are expensive and I just don't want to have to buy like 5 of them to see what gets the right temp. The lamp would more than likely be resting on the screen top about 12-14 inches above the substrate. I could rig up a holding system if it's necessary to move it up. Also can heat bulbs be screwed into a regular lamp. Like a clip on reading lamp or something, with an aluminum cover, not paper or plastic. Thanks, I'm going to have to put off getting a leo for another week unfortunately.

heat lamps are cheap...I can buy a pack of 4 for a dollar. We call them lightbulbs where I am from. Or I can get a nice red one for like $2. You will need to experiment with wattage to see what temps you are getting. Of course, do this when you gecko is not in the terrarium.
-----
2.0 Leos (Spot - Normal but oh, so sexy; Jessie - hypotang)
3.2.4 Fattails (Henri, Suwannee, Valencio, Dixie, Isis, Zipper, Pheonix, Hissy, and Snickerdoodle)
0.0.1 redfoot tortoise (Sherman)
0.0.1 sulcatta tortoise (Tinacious aka Tiny)
1.1 Dogs (Zubin and Brenda)
0.1 cat (Mimi)

did you say how big the terrarium is? Heat bulbs run under $10 each, and should last at least a couple months. and how much do you need to raise it? what are your temps now?
-----

1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~25
Holdbacks: 1.0 SHCTB- nice surprise! and 0.1 jungle
Available:
1.0 aberrant m, 0.1 pastel F, 9 month male circleback tang

ok, sorry. I would start with a 25 for a 10 gal tank, and chk temps again. then try a 15 or 30/40 depending. As far as the cord, I would not run it under the tile. You can use a rubber band to coil the excess and mount it that way. As long as you have a secure lid, it should be fine. Dont know how big your tank is tho
-----

1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~25
Holdbacks: 1.0 SHCTB- nice surprise! and 0.1 jungle
Available:
1.0 aberrant m, 0.1 pastel F, 9 month male circleback tang

My tank is 2x1x1 approx. It's a 15 gallon. The current heats are 70-78 on the warm side depending on what time during the day and 60-70 on the cool side also depending on what time of day. It's about 6 degrees warmer inside each of the hides. I don't have a leo in there yet. I'm just trying to get it set up. The lowest wattage I can find is 50 watts locally, should I order a 40 watt online?

You are talking about a light bulb right? A 'heat bulb'? Just buy plain old light bulbs. They give off heat, and they are cheap. 40 watts light bulbs are easy to find and 25 watt bulbs are not hard to find either.
-----
2.0 Leos (Spot - Normal but oh, so sexy; Jessie - hypotang)
3.2.4 Fattails (Henri, Suwannee, Valencio, Dixie, Isis, Zipper, Pheonix, Hissy, and Snickerdoodle)
0.0.1 redfoot tortoise (Sherman)
0.0.1 sulcatta tortoise (Tinacious aka Tiny)
1.1 Dogs (Zubin and Brenda)
0.1 cat (Mimi)

what kind of light bulb are you talking about? I am referring to a red heat bulb, I dont think your leo will like all that white light in his eyes.
-----

1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~25
Holdbacks: 1.0 SHCTB- nice surprise! and 0.1 jungle
Available:
1.0 aberrant m, 0.1 pastel F, 9 month male circleback tang

Sure it can be red if you like. A regular old red bulb. They raise cage temps just like those 'special' bulbs people pay $10 for.
-----
2.0 Leos (Spot - Normal but oh, so sexy; Jessie - hypotang)
3.2.4 Fattails (Henri, Suwannee, Valencio, Dixie, Isis, Zipper, Pheonix, Hissy, and Snickerdoodle)
0.0.1 redfoot tortoise (Sherman)
0.0.1 sulcatta tortoise (Tinacious aka Tiny)
1.1 Dogs (Zubin and Brenda)
0.1 cat (Mimi)

yeah, I would see if you can find a 30, or if not, use a 25
-----

1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~25
Holdbacks: 1.0 SHCTB- nice surprise! and 0.1 jungle
Available:
1.0 aberrant m, 0.1 pastel F, 9 month male circleback tang