equipment conversion

LincolnS

This may be a dumb question...but i have a 10 gallon terrarium with a leopard gecko. Previously was a fish tank and had all the equipment n such. So could i use the underwater heater for extra heat on the terrarium? I cant seem to get it above 74..even with an under teh tank heater. If i cant..what makes it unsuitable for air? :)

Thanks in advance

Zule

I don't know about using the aquarium heater, but I heard under tank heaters don't work that well. With your setup would you be able to use a heat lamp?

Amphitrite

I wouldn't use an aquarium heater out of water - I believe it would smash, and could also burn the gecko if not covered.

If you don't find you're getting enough heat from the mat, try getting either a slightly larger heat mat, or adding a low wattage lamp to the tank.

Bearing in mind the temperature should not be consistent throughout the tank - there should be a warm end and a cooler end since the gecko cannot regulate it's own body temperature. Try recording the temperature near to the floor and directly above the heat mat - this will give a more accurate reading of whether it it warm enough or not.

A good item to invest in is a HabiStat temperature regulator - this will automatically turn of the heat when it reaches the desired temperature.

LincolnS

yeah it is almost on the heat mat and its only 74. Is there any way a heat lamp would work over a hood for the aquarium? i only have a plastic lead and not a caged screen

TY

Amphitrite

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Do you have a picture of the setup that you could post?

Also, I'll move this to the Vivarium section since it's not really about Freshwater Equipment any more :)

LincolnS

First one is a front view of the tank
Left to Right
Old Aquarium decoration
Open hide with wet paper towel
Cardboard box on heater side (used as hide)
Water Bowl

This is on reptile carpet and mat is directly under water/cardboard box stretching to the edge of the open hide

2nd picture is from bottom towards the heat mat.

Hope that helps..im not much on explaining :)[/img]

Amphitrite

Thanks for posting the pictures, it looks like you've provided a good home for you gecko there.

Firstly, a couple of questions. What sort of a gap is there between the bottom of the terrarium and the heat pad? If there is too much of a gap you'll be losing a lot of the heat from it. I have my tank directly on top of the mat with just a piece of card under each corner of the tank to keep the full weight from being on the mat.

Secondly, what sort of thermometer are you using to record the temperature? Mind and take the reading low down on the heat pad side of the tank.

Also, how thick is the repti-carpet? If it's too thick it could be absorbing a lot of the heat and it's not reaching the surface.

Also, how long have you had your leo? And do you have any pictures of him - I'd love to see! :D

LincolnS

its adhesive so there isnt a gap, seems as though the outlet is weak? so it was getting the fll strength. I moved the plug to another one and its 76 already so that may solve that :P
The carpet..prolly isnt even half a cm id guess so its not thick.
I've hardly had him a week :) if that. ill get the pictures soon just would have to use my sister's digital camera.

Amphitrite

Glad to hear the temperature seems to be increasing - just keep an eye on it.

One word of advice.. I notice you seem to have a cardboard box as a hide? Your gecko will require a place with a constant level of humidity in order to sucessfully shed his skin (he should do this approx every 3 weeks). What I use is a closed plastic box with an access point cut into it, with spaghnum moss inside - this should be sprayed daily to keep it damp, the moss will retain moisture better than using paper towel etc.

Keep a close eye on the gecko to ensure that he sheds completely, paying particular attention to his toes. If the skin doesn't come off properly, then you will have to remove it. Let me know if you run into any problems and I'll let you know the best way of dealing with it.

Can't wait to see the pictures! They are lovely little creatures to keep :)

LincolnS

here is the little bugger..any ideas for a name for it? I believe shes a female..as i see no signs of the glands next to her tail..least not yet.

Anyway the temp isnt increasing anymore...i put a piece of cardboard underneath of it for insulation...thought it may help..haha

Also i just got a little rock thing and it has some sort of moss to retain moisture in it.

Any other possible problems you for see?