[MILKY]

Hi, very new to keeping a gecko. I stuck a 40w red bulb in my tank for my leopard gecko and it's on a timer on 12 hours in daytime. Do the bulbs last along time or do you have to replace them often? As I had it in ther about 3 weeks and its blown already! :neutral: Im wondering whether to just leave a heatmat on 24/7 instead? Whats the best idea? Thanks, Tom.

[SleepyDee]

Originally Posted by MILKY

Hi, very new to keeping a gecko. I stuck a 40w red bulb in my tank for my leopard gecko and it's on a timer on 12 hours in daytime. Do the bulbs last along time or do you have to replace them often? As I had it in ther about 3 weeks and its blown already! :neutral: Im wondering whether to just leave a heatmat on 24/7 instead? Whats the best idea? Thanks, Tom.

though some may use lights for viewing purposes I personally don't bother with lights (my leos and other geckos get a day/night cycle from natural daylight and the room light) and I keep my statted heatmats on 24/7.

[MILKY]

Thanks for replyng, first time anybody has, is it safe to leave heat mats on? And will a 12W heat mat (what i've got on during the night) with just newspaper as a substrate be hot enough to leave on 24/7?

Tom

[SleepyDee]

Originally Posted by MILKY

is it safe to leave heat mats on? And will a 12W heat mat (what i've got on during the night) with just newspaper as a substrate be hot enough to leave on 24/7?

Tom

I only pop in every now and thenso long as the heatmat is run via a thermostat to control the temps at between 88*f-90*f (31*c-32*c) then yes it's safe to leave on 24/7 ~ I use a mix of kitchen-roll, lino, slate and tiles in mine

[MILKY]

seems the new bulb triggered his first shed!



well first shed that i've witnessed anyway! Why do they eat it?

[Nicky19]

Awh cute leo

Despite being new to all this too I know they eat thier skin for two reasons.

One because it is full of nutrients and is healthy for them to eat it, and two because in the wild they don't want to leave evidence behind for predators.