No UVB Light & No Heating Light For Leopard Gecko

[Ophiuchus]

I still don't understand why people have problems with UTHs. I've been using them (various brands with various herps, including leos) for over a decade and never had an issue...and to this day, I've never owned a thermostat either. If you use the product correctly, there shouldn't be problems.

In case anyone is unaware, here's some tips for UTHs:

1.) they can only be used on glass (unless specified otherwise)
2.) they go under the outside of the tank.
3.) the bottom of the tank HAS to be raised off the surface it's sitting on to prevent heat build-up. Most UTHs today are sold with 4 rubber stoppers to accomplish this. Even without them, its not rocket-science to figure out a way to do it. Failure to do this can cause the bottom area to overheat, possibly burning the herp and possibly cracking the glass.
4.) it should only cover approximately a third of the footprint of the tank...not the entire floor area.

People who have problems seem to forget at least one of the above guidelines. For any of you who have experienced issues while abiding by those guidelines, I don't really know what else to say, except perhaps you just have bad luck. I will continue to use them and continue to recommend them to others.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Follow these rules and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[cichla1004]

Even windows don't even give them the UV radiation they need, unless it is an open window.

nevermind...

 

[Danyal]

<the bottom of the tank HAS to be raised off the surface it's sitting on to prevent heat build-up. Most UTHs today are sold with 4 rubber stoppers to accomplish this. Even without them, its not rocket-science to figure out a way to do it. Failure to do this can cause the bottom area to overheat, possibly burning the herp and possibly cracking the glass.>
that was one that i'd never heard before, i just had the cage sitting on the wood end table, and it was a 6"x6" heat pad so it didn't over even a third of the tank but is sure burnt the hell out of my female gecko.

 

[Sarcosuchus]

Hmm, thanks a lot for the replies guys. Lol TheBloodyIrish, that's what Cichla meant to say.

Anyway, I was told that I can either give up Heating Light and only use Heating Pad or give up Heating Pad and only use Heating Light.

Is it ok if I only use a Heating Light at one side of the tank ( 50 gallon tank ) and leave the other side of the area cooler so there are different temperatures for the Leopard Gecko to choose from? And what colour Heating Light should be best? Red bulb? Black bulb?

 

[TheBloodyIrish]

Eh, there are a lot of people who leave their iguanas by the windows or their vivariums in the sun, thinking that their herptiles are getting the UV exposure, when they are not and many of those people still recommend doing it, despite the fact their lizards are suffering from MBD. Anyway that point aside...

I prefer the infrared ones over the blacklight ones myself.

 

[Rass]

I too have used UTH's for all types of animals in all types of enclosures commercial and homemade for years and have never had one issue. I like the Cobra heat pads they put off a very gentle heat that heats objects above them rather than just getting all around HOT. They are designed to go in or outside the cage, very nice product.