UTH on the side of the tank >_<

ChocoMeijin · 02-28-05, 06:24 PM

Hello everyone, I just got a leopard gecko for my 11-year old friend and I set up the tank for him with the under tank heater on the bottom of the tank. Apparently he moved it to the side of the tank because a book he read (not sure if it was a book or some "instructions"?) said to put it on the side so you can see the heating element to be sure it doesn't malfunction. HOWEVER:

1) If you wanted to check the UTH, couldn't you just lift up the paper towel and look? I tested the UTH for two weeks in the bare tank and I didn't notice anything.

2) He also mentioned something about the UTH needing air to hit it, but I put those little foot thingies on the bottom of the tank that comes with the UTH so there's like 1/2 an inch space on the bottom, wouldn't there be enough air hitting it? It's an exo-terra, the one that looks like heat tape.

3) I'm 99% sure that leos need belly heat, so how would the health of the gecko be affected by having the UTH on the side of the tank?

4) How reliable are most reptile books anyway?

I'm going to send him this post to read, that's why I asked all the basic questions. Thank you very much for all your replies, I hope we can get this situation fixed!

~ChocoMeijin

EDIT: Sorry, made the book thing a bit clearer ^_^;;

mikeyweir · 02-28-05, 08:23 PM

I would befinitly move the UTH back on to the bottom. The rubber legs will be fine, and yes, a leo does want the belly heat. If you only have paper towl for a substrate, you would probably want to get repti-bark and use that, this is so the UTH doesn't put out too much heat. Trust the leo books, all of our information is built on them.

peterm15 · 02-28-05, 08:42 PM

i dont really know about repti bark either, but under tank heat is the best.. use some slate or ceremic tile over top.. no loose substrate and it will dispurse the heat better.. and also makes it look natural...

and which book was this from.. mine doesnt say anything like that..

TLH_Wär§cöötmän · 03-01-05, 02:20 AM

Yea I don't know if your heat pad will be any good now. You are not I repeat NOT supposed to move them once they are placed. You may have damaged it now.
Also they need belly heat, and Leopard geckos are not aboreal, they are terrestrial (they cannot climb glass) They supply the rubber "feet" for a reason. If the UTH is placed under the tank, it can crack the bottom panel of glass if there is no air venting, thats why they have the rubber feet.
I would remove the "book" immediately, thats a definite fire hazard (it could get very hot and catch fire, very very small possobility, but there none the less)
A UTH on the side of the tank would provide very little heat, as the heat would be lost to the open air. I can't say I have ever heard of a book telling you to put an "under" tank heating pad on the back/sides. It may be ok for a aboreal specie, but leos its useless IMO.
As for substrates, repti-liners, slate or tiles and paper towel are the norm. The Slate will hold heat well.

ChocoMeijin · 03-01-05, 02:06 PM

Great, thanks for all your replies! I really appreciate it ^_^

Mikey: I know books are trustworthy, but when it says to put the UTH on the side of the tank for a terrestrial species? I also have a leopard gecko book and it says it's ok to put them on sand. TECHNICALLY it is ok to have them on sand, if you feel like taking a risk. As for bark, I've seen it ingested and the results of that; it's not a pretty sight. So I'm going with Peterm on not using it. ^_^

TLH: Sorry I wasn't too clear about the book; I think the book told him to put it on the side of the tank so he could see it if it malfunctions. And I forgot about that, that it would damage the UTH if moved. Thanks for that ^_^

I'll keep you all updated on what happens, but keep the replies coming! ^_^

~ChocoMeijin

EDIT: For spelling and grammar :P

peterm15 · 03-01-05, 03:12 PM

cpuld he may have read something.. ive heard of a heat pad on the side of a crestie cage to make the air warmer.. but never on a leos..

and as for sand.. mostly every book will say its ok.. it is ok.. but there is the risk of impaction.. which is why most tend not to use it.. i know a few ppl who keep leos on sand for years ( like 7 or 8) and have yet to have a problem.. im not saying you should use it.... just saying some dont have any probs...

oh and the book i have says to use a mixture of sand and a few other things.... so the sand is more packed down... ill let you know later what boko it is

mikeyweir · 03-01-05, 09:06 PM

Yea, I can't see a book saying for to put it on the side for terestrial species, I have herd of it on the side for Giant Day geckos, but not leo's.
As far as books go, I would recommend Barron's Reptile Keeping guides for Leopard and fat tailed geckos. It's what I use, and all of it's info is great.
And as far as bark, I have been using it for almost 3 years now, it was recommended by 2 petstores and "I" haven't had any problem.(The stuff I have is larger pieces)
It's really up to you in the end.
mikeyweir