70-75 is perfect. The temperatures can go even as low as the high 50's at night with most species without a significant problem, although a 65 low is better. I find more problem keeping them low enough (below 80) during the day in the summer because I don't have AC. Usually the temperatures we ordinarily keep our homes are just about right.



I don't like the reptile type heat mats because the affordable ones don't have an adjustable thermostat, and the preset thermostat can and does sometimes fail and over-heat. The times I've tried them under the tank, they have scorched the surface of the tank stand. You can put them on the outside of the glass behind the background, but this isn't very efficient.



There is a special type heat mat made for safely using under the wet soil in outdoor cold frames that has an adjustable thermostat, but the last time I was able to find these, the price was way out of line-- in the range of $120.00 for a very small one, if I recall.
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Patty

Pahsimeroi, Idaho



D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.

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