I have been having a hard time keeping the temps accurate in my leo's tank. I am not sure if I am checking the temps correctly. I have a probe thermometer that I use on the warm side of the tank. I keep an undertank heater on most of the time. If I put the probe inside the moist hide on the warm side of the tank and the temps can get up to 98-99 degrees. If I keep it just outside the moist hide the temps keep around 84-88 degrees. Is 98 degrees INSIDE the moist hide too hot? Or should I be more concerned about the temp of the air on the outside of the hide?

If I turn the Under Tank Heater off then the warm side of the tank cools down to 77 or so degrees.

I am hoping to get a 20 gallon tank in the next few weeks so I can create several hides throughout the thank.

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Kelly

My pets:
Leopard Gecko ~ Ducky
Rabbit ~ Chester
Kitten ~ Lil Fang
Black Bear Hamster - Charlie
Parakeet ~ Ray
Eastern Box Turtle ~ Ollie
Hermit Crab ~ Mr. Crabs
Teddy Bear Hamster ~ Poppy RIP 7/12/07

Hello,

I am guessing you are using a 10 gallon since you want to upgrade to a 20. That being the case, welcome to the exact reasoning we suggest larger enclosures. lol Ten gallon tanks are extremely difficult to create a proper heat gradient in.

98-99 degrees in the moist hide is too warm. You want to shoot for the lower spectrum of your heat gradient. The moist hide is "normally" the most humid location in the enclosure, but it is also typically the coolest. (The moisture normally keeps the air cooler.)

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

make sure you get a dimmer or thermostat for all heat sources

I'm rather new to reps as well. I recently upgraded from a 10 g. to 20 g., and it made a world of difference (they were only in the 10 for about 5 days until I could get a 20). Anyway, they bacame much more active, started eating better, i.e., chasing crickets and eating them, too, instead of just worms), and exploiting the various niches in the habitat. Frankly, I'm not sure that I've got the temperature thing right either. I'm reviewing all posting in the forum regarding temp. so I can rearrange and get it right ASAP.

Jennifer Gal

Totally agree with Rich. Ditch the smaller enclosure.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

I am going to try to get out to the store this weekend. But with the broken ankle/foot it is making it difficult to get around. :-(

Do Under Tank Heater come with dimmer switches? Or is this something that I would have to add?

Its funny Ducky started out being my daughter's pet but she has totally become mine! Not unusual I am sure. But it really amazes me that I have totally fallen in love with a reptile!!

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Kelly

My pets:
Leopard Gecko ~ Ducky
Rabbit ~ Chester
Kitten ~ Lil Fang
Black Bear Hamster - Charlie
Parakeet ~ Ray
Eastern Box Turtle ~ Ollie
Hermit Crab ~ Mr. Crabs
Teddy Bear Hamster ~ Poppy RIP 7/12/07

Kelly,

The exact same thing happened to us. We got a fat-tail for my seven year-old daughter, but I ended up getting really attached to her, and I was really deeply saddened when she died. It was partially our fault bec. we were so new to reptiles, but the vet royally screwed up as well, and has acknowledged that.

Jen Gal

I could have swore I've seen them before, but big surprise I can't find it now. Anyway you can always plug in a Zoomed rheostat to control it. They're only about $15. I have one on some lights and it controls it beneficially. Should work sufficiently for a Under Tank Heater as well. You won't have fine adjustment though.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Personally I prefer thermostats to rheos. And they aren't much more expensive.
Set them once and you are good to go!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks for the advise when I go to the store I will check out getting a thermostat to help regulate the heat.

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Kelly

My pets:
Leopard Gecko ~ Ducky
Rabbit ~ Chester
Kitten ~ Lil Fang
Black Bear Hamster - Charlie
Parakeet ~ Ray
Eastern Box Turtle ~ Ollie
Hermit Crab ~ Mr. Crabs
Teddy Bear Hamster ~ Poppy RIP 7/12/07