temperature problem with my leopard gecko?

Question

I just recieved a leopard gecko about little less then two weeks ago he is several months old under 6 months. My problem is I read some books about the ideal temperature being as high as 80-85 degree daytime and low as 70-75 degree night time. Some reason I can never reach the daytime temperature. I have a 20 gallon aquarium tank, a ceramic 100 watt bulb, 60 watt basking bulb that i switch, and another secondary heat pad (5x10) that is attached to the side of the tank. I dont know what I am doing wrong should I get a smaller tank or get a bigger patch because the highest I got from the digtal therometer was 80 degrees a few days ago. Although he doesnt seem to be too stessed out; He eats an average of 3 crickets a day and is quite active but I just want to see if i can do anything else to help the temperature.

Answer 1

i had the same problem when i started. Try getting another heat lamp. I still can't reach the 90s and my tank is usually a 85-86 degrees farenheit. However, they do fine and i have kept them healthy for almost an year now. An undertank heater will help them alot especially when it comes to digestion.

Answer 2

what kind of tank are you keeping him in and what kind of lid/top does it have???



first of all you have a ventilated lid.that's the problem.heat rises,so any heat being produced in the tank is escaping straight away.you need a proper vivarium with sliding glass doors which will hold the heat better and you will be able to do away with everything except the ceramic.converted fish aquariums/glass tanks with a lid on are rubbish.If you aren't getting 85 with all them heat sources in a tank as small as 20 gallons then that just proves the point.

secondly,you say you have a digital thermometer. how the hell is that going to stop your gecko overheating??.Any heat source in any reptiles Viv should always be run through a thermostat which can adjust to changing ambient temperatures and keep the Viv basking area at the correct temp.thermometers are only used as a visible check to the temp and should be checked daily.

Answer 3

Ok - you need to get a proper vivarium.



You cannot expect to be able to maintain adequate temperatures in a glass box...



Glass is a wind-breaker and a safety barrier - it is NOT an insulator.



You have no chance at all without a lid and with a lid it becomes potentically fatal as if the weather becomes warmer, the leo could cook.



Get a new enclosure. A proper wooden one with a glass front.



I have a leo and maintain 90 easily with a small heat mat and a 40 watt bulb (daytime).

Answer 4

i have had a leopard gecko for fifteen years in April i have a small vivarium with a small heat mat to one side and a small bulb like the one in side your fridge at the top of the tank a log for it to lie under a water bowel and that's it and i have never had any problems with her since getting her she has ether green calcium sand on the bottom of her tank or wood chips i feed her on locust or crickets i don't think the temp should be that high try your nearest pet shop that sell lizards or put a temp strip in side your tank they will advise you