how do you guys heat your leos?

[emerson]

Hi everybody!

Can someone answer a question for me? I've been reading The Leopard Gecko Manual to get some temp info because I wanted to switch from a heat bulb to a uth. The temp listed for incandescents is 84-88, but there's no range listed under the uth section. Is there a difference in heating from above versus heating from below??? Or should I still aim for 84-88? Also, is that the air temp or the temp at the substrate?? Any advice/opinions are appreciated!!!

Emerson

[Rebecca]

Leo's like the belly heat. I use a UTH with a heat lamp with a normal bulb. It works awesome for me. I don't know the actual temp at the UTH but the over all temp is about 75 on the cool side, around 80 or so on the warm side and it's about 90 under the lamp (the basking spot). I use paper towel for a substrate so I just use digi thermos on the side's of the tank and also right where the basking spot is.

[peregrinefalcon]

I use just an UTH and keep it at 88-90, in my opinion below 88 is not a good temp for the warm side. You have to measure directly on the substrate where the leo will be.
Hope this helps!
Adam

[Alicewave]

I heat both the substrate and the air so I use a UTH and a heat bulb day and night and a house bulb during the day. What you can do is position the heat bulb over a rock so it creates a nice warm basking spot and as long as your leo uses it, you don't need both the UTH's and the lamps. But I use both just for good measure.

[serge]

I was in the same boat as you. I switched from an incandescent heat source and now I use an under the tank heater exclusively with great results. Keep the temperature of the substrate between 87-90 on the warm side(about 70% of the cage) and as low as 74 on the cool side. Take the temperature at the surface of the substate. Don't get to hung up about exact temperatures; leos adapt well.

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

I use a UTH as well. It works fine, but I have rocks he can perch on if he wants to be on that side without so much heat.

[emerson]

Thanks guys! But... 70% warm side? Isn't that extensive?

[fr0glet]

I also use an UTH. In my opinion 70% warm side is extensive. My tanks are 50%/50%.

[Linds]

The ambient temp in my room is usually around 80, so a bottom-heat method is sufficient for mine. They are housed in a rubbermaid rack heated with heat tape, or in tanks with UTH's. However, I will be changing to heating with lights in the coming months. I will be setting them up in a *large* display enclosure with many rock levels, so an above heat source would be best. It all depends on your setup and your home environment. Sometimes overhead heating is the best option, but in most cases it is best to have some sort of bottom heat source. I find a gradient of 78-92 works well for leos.