Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased the 20L deluxe desert gecko setup for this leo u got from mu local pet shop. I also bought a 8x8 under tank heater which I put at my warm end of the enclosure. I also have a heat lamp with a 60watt daylight bulb...Not sure if that's enough...so I've been thinking about putting a 75 watt basking bulb in the lamp instead...anyone else have a similar setup?

Thanks
-Cody

Here is my take on the subject..

During times of the year when the ambient air temps are above 68 deg, the heat pad is generally enough for a leopard gecko as long as you use a temperature controller to keep the temp at a good level, like 85-90 deg but not more.

You really only need supplemental heating if the air temps get below 68, and I use that temp loosely, as these geckos are quite tolerant. In my experience, they seem to act most "normal" when the ambient air temps are above 65-ish. If the ambient air temps get too low, they seem to start shedding very often. So don't bother with extra heaters when, say your room temps are already in the 70s.

The problem with screen-top cages is that your heat goes up and out, and any chance of maintaining some humidity is also gone. So make sure to use a humid hide when the gecko is going to shed, or leave it in always if needed. I have found that using a cage with less ventilation, I only need to provide a humid hide at shed time. So consider covering much of that screen top with something. Then your 50-60 watt bulb is plenty! In fact, use a dimmer!

I have found that a piece of pegboard that covers the entire top of the cage is good. You can even cut out a 6 inch circle for a lamp dome if needed. Again, make sure not to overheat the gecko. Let the heat pad be the main source of heat.

I moved my gecko from a 10gal screen top to a slightly smaller plastic box with home-made wood and plastic lid. It is a pine frame covered with plastic sign material. I cut 2 holes about 1 and 1/2 inch diameter and glued screen over those (silicon). That is it. Very simple setup, and I just use a heat pad. My gecko is thriving in that type of cage, and it is so simple to clean that I clean it more often than I did the 10 gal tank. I use the Vision large mouse tub 10x19 inches. I use paper from Home Depot that is box filler, and really is just unprinted newspaper. The gecko does really well on this substrate.

Hmmm... My geckos are more active when the ambient temperature is a little warmer than what you describe. My whole reptile room is a bit warmer than other room anyway, so I don't need to worry much about keeping them warm during the cold spell and winter. Most of my reptiles are more active when the air temperature is a little warm IMO. [shrug]

I think I was tired.

What I meant to say was this: In general, a heat pad is enough for a leopard gecko, unless the ambient air temps start dropping below 65. Then you may want to also heat the air a bit. That is true for screen top cages.

If you use a cage without a full screen top, then the heat and humidity hold better, so a heat pad is often enough, even when air temps get cool.

Heat pad kept at 85-90 range seems to work well.

If you use a screen top cage, then in cool times consider covering the top partially.