Hey, Laura!
I've removed most of the paper from the outside of my 10 gallon. Since I'm
running an ir setup through the night, I think the only point would be to
achieve optimally high temps. I really don't think you can keep the
temperature of the tank from dropping to room temperature without some kind
of heat. If you measure it and it's less than the minimum at night with the
under-tank pad on, that would be a reason to insulate which would help.
Echoing Julie's previous comments, don't put a rock directly under the lamp.
Particularly with an uthp, it doesn't really need to be warmer than the
temperature in the tank. Being nocturnal, Leopard geckos probably are not
basking lizards, unless they bask in the full moon. Haven't heard of that.
If you put a rock right under a lamp there is a risk of burning the gecko.
Recommendations for the caves made out of slate
Any structure you make out of pieces needs bottom support, like a box top to
build it in and pieces above the bottom layer heavy enough not to be
dislodged by the animal. Sounds like they would love something like this
over the heating pad. However, a very small ceramic pot with half knocked
off does just as well. An alternative is to find some kind of epoxy glue
and glue the rocks together. Some mini reef guys put their reef together by
drilling both rocks and using a pin. That's all.
One last piece of advice, and I have to admit to not following it well
enough. It's an old fish-keepers advice: the more you have your hands in
the tank (especially for beginners) the less happy and more stressed the
occupants are.
I believe that my Leopard gecko knows every inch of her cage. When I move
something, it causes stress. I think actually that a Leopard gecko would do
very well in a bare tank with paper bottom, somethings to hide in, a water
dish and a dish of calcium. Maybe better than what I've got going.
Paper helps, mylar or other plastic would help more, and styrofoam would
help even more, but I think it's probably overkill. Try the thickest paper
you can find.
As a beginner, I'm very concerned about providing for the welfare of my
animal, and I get very little, very slow feedback. So I worry, read, ask a
lot of questions, and try to physically make things the best I can.
However, I know it's possible to "kill pets with kindness", especially ones
who are stressed by human contact. Maybe it would help me to keep records.
Anyway, good luck to us both!
Steve
>From: Laura Ricketts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Re: [Gecko] Heat Lamps- was heat tape
>Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001 08:58:29 -0800 (PST)
>
>Steve,
>
>I don't mind... all the input I can get, will only
>help me be a better herp keeper! *smile*
>
>BTW, how much insulation do you get by insulating with
>paper? Are you putting it on the outside of the
>tank... I have considered using the paper for
>aquariums (my LFS has ones especially for herp tanks),
>but can't right now... not enough money for those
>luxuries! But I have insulated my hermit crab tank
>with styrofoam sheets and I was considering doing the
>same with my leos' tanks... because of the cold in the
>basement ~60-65* at night... but then I remembered
>that the desert can get colder than that... so I was
>confused...
>
>I have a UTH in my leos' tank, but I also use a
>smaller wattage red heat light for over them on the
>flat rock... they spend most of their time in the
>caves over the UTH... Rarely do they go in the logs on
>the cool side. I bought some slate rocks from a
>garden store yesterday ($.15/lb!) and plan to redo
>their tank a little tomorrow... with caves on the
>colder side and caves over the UTH... any
>recommendations, opinions, advice? They seem sluggish
>lately and not up to eating like before... I thought
>it might be because of the cold.
>
>I have only had these guys for about 5 weeks... I am
>still learning. They weren't prepared for brumation,
>so I didn't put them in it... I hope to next year...
>
>Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
>
>--- Steven Groginsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Laura, if you don't mind my interjecting...
> >
> > Someone said somewhere that a rock under a lamp gets
> > too hot for geckos to
> > tolerate. A better solution would be an under-tank
> > heater or heat tape. I
> > personally think rocks are good because they help
> > make evening temperature
> > transitions slower.
> >
> > I had been insulating with paper but I don't see
> > much point to it now. You
> > want as much of a temperature gradient as possible
> > down to the minimum
> > desireable. And if the lamp is reaching the high
> > desireable temperature...
> > One thing I would recommend, and this is an entirely
> > personal idea for my
> > juvenile Leopard gecko, is to put paper about 4"
> > high from the bottom all
> > the way around like a fence. I kinda believe that
> > this makes the inhabitant
> > feel more secure.
> >
> >
> > >From: Laura Ricketts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >Subject: Re: [Gecko] Heat Lamps- was heat tape
> > >Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 07:39:59 -0800 (PST)
> > >
> > >I have a question, that is probably redundant, but
> > >it's one of those that can't seem to stay in my
> > >brain.... we heat gecko tanks to help them with
> > >digestion, etc. right? Now, a heat lamp heats a
> > stone
> > >or surface for them to lay on to help them heat
> > up...
> > >but they spend the whole day sleeping in their
> > caves!
> > >I have been told to (1) use a UTH to keep them
> > warm,
> > >and (2) have the cave cool and damp, with the heat
> > >lamp on the rock above... which is the absolute
> > best
> > >setup for heating them... within reason... I am not
> > >talking prices of stuff... I mean.. UTH vs heating
> > a
> > >rock surface, etc. Even the books seem confusing
> > and
> > >I just can't seem to get it stuck in my head!
> > >
> > >Also, Julie, these 32 qt. containers... what are
> > the
> > >approximate dimensions? How would they be better if
> > >you are limited to space, vs the 10g tanks?
> > >
> > >Finally, do any of you insulate tanks on three
> > sides
> > >to help maintain heat in the tank? (Sides and Back)
> > >
> > >Thanks for bearing with this old, decrepit brain of
> > >mine!
> > >--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > > > In a message dated 2/1/01 2:56:34 PM Eastern
> > > > Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > > writes:
> > > >
> > > > <<
> > > > I would stick with overhead lighting for 10
> > > > gallons. I recommend 8-1/2"
> > > > reflector lamps, you will have to experiment
> > with
> > > > light bulbs to get the
> > > > desired
> > > > 86-88F in one end. Heat tape is problematic
> > with
> > > > the type of set-up you
> > > > describe. If you want to breed several
> > leopards,
> > > > get a rack system and go to
> > > > 32
> > > > quart Rubbermaids or an equivalent - you can
> > use
> > > > heat tape safely in this
> > > > type
> > > > of set-up.
> > > > >>
> > > > Hi-
> > > > This sounds like a good use for the 5 pack of 20
> > > > watt halogen bulbs.
> > > > I was just looking at buying them myself, and I
> > > > believe Greg C. uses these,
> > > > so maybe he could tell us alittle about them?
> > > > I was curious how hot the spot gets at a
> > distance of
> > > > say 8" in a ten gallon?
> > > > Any idea?
> > > > And what is the max distance between the bulbs?
> > is
> > > > it 2 feet? Can you run
> > > > them in a straight line 10 feet long, with a
> > bulb
> > > > every two feet?
> > > >
> > > > These seem perfect for tight fits like cabinets,
> > and
> > > > they reduce the space
> > > > needed by about 8" heightwise.
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Jason
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >######################################################################
> > > > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION
> > > > LISTSERV
> > > > WebSite: http://www.gekkota.com
> > > > The GGA takes no responsibility for the
> > contents of
> > > > these postings.
> > > >
> >
> >######################################################################
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >=====
> > >Laura
> > >Universal Bettas
> >
> >http://www.UniversalBettas.homestead.com/UniBetas.html
> > >aka A.C.G.& S. Menagerie
> > >
> > >"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures
> > great and small, All things
> > >wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all..."
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________
> > >Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail -
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> > >a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
> > >
> >
> >
>_________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
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>
>
>=====
>Laura
>Universal Bettas
>http://www.UniversalBettas.homestead.com/UniBetas.html
>aka A.C.G.& S. Menagerie
>
>"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things
>wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all..."
>
>__________________________________________________
>Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
>a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
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