Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi.
This is long...sorry.

My daughter's leopard gecko has been having health issues and has been to an exoctic pet vet (who owns geckos herself) twice recently. Hopefully he's on the mend. I have a question about his cage heating though.

We have a heating pad under the 10 gallon tank, an infrared light, and a UVB full spectrum compact light. The Vet insists on both lights. I pushed her on it because I know there is a lot of debate between well educated vets, breeders, pet owners, etc. about the UVB lights with a nocturnal lizard. She said the UVB rays (or sun's rays) helps with the absorption of the calcium and vitamin D. Not just the vitamin/calcium powders alone. She said to leave it on for only 6 hours a day. Otherwise the calcium and vitamins may not absorb and our gecko hasn't eaten in 7 weeks. (He's being fed a liquid food with a syringe.)His activity is normal

I just want opinions. my Brother in law has had 9 geckos for years and has never used a UVB full spectrum bulb. I'm a little confused. Our gecko, Tiger, seems fine with it and not stressed at all. The Vet did mention that there is a blindness that can occur, but it's not likely.

The other more pressing question I have is the temp. The floor thermometer on the hot side is now almost at 100* but the side thermometer is at 85* ish. ??? I'm not sure what to do. Tiger does move back and forth from the cool side to the hot side and will sleep for quite a while on the hot side. He also sleeps in his humid hide on the cool side. He also has a "wading pool"/water dish. The vet wanted him to have something he could lay down in if he wants. We soak him once a week too.

Any advise would be welcome. Thanks so much!
Trisha

Your gecko will be able to absorb the vitamins on his own. I also have never used a UVB light, and have never had a problem.

Heat, put the temperature strip in the hot end near the bottom and see what the temp. is. It should be 80 to 82 degrees. If it is to hot, just remove the heat lamp from the tank. It creates more heat.

You don't need a water bowl for the gecko to soak in, just a water bowl to drink out of.

You have to remember that leopard geckos come form a desertly like atmosphere, like afganistan.

But yes on the humide hide, hit helps them to shed.