Leopard Gecko Heat Lamp Setup

Leopard geckos are cold-blooded animals. In the wild, they come from the dry grassland and desert regions of Asia such as Afghanistan, Nepal, Iran, Pakistan, and India. In the wild, they get heat from the sun and some rocks. But in captivity, Leopard Geckos need heat lamps or other sources of warmth because they can't get heat from the sun.

This article is very important if you are considering setting up a heat lamp. If you want to pet leopard geckos, you need to know what heating setup is safe for them because unsafe setups can cause them to die.

What are the requirements for Installing Heat Lamps in Leopard Geckos Tanks?

There are some safe and cheap requirements for installing heat lamps in Leopard Geckos tanks such as Dome lamp Caps or Flexible Clamp Lamp Fixture, Lamp holders, Thermometers, Plug-in dimmers, etc. Before using this product, you need to read the direction provided by the manufacturer.

You can buy Reptile Lamp Fixture/Deep Dome Lamp Cap on Amazon.

Caution- Heat packs and plastic bottles filled with warm water can harm the leopard gecko's thin skin, so avoid them.

How many watts of heat lamps should I use for a Leopard Geckos tank?

The ideal heat lamp for leopard gecko tanks should be between 50 to 150 watts. During the day, you should use 100-watt heat lamps for daytime basking and 50-watt heat lamps for nighttime.

At what place should a Heat Lamp be placed in a Leopard Gecko Tank?

If you are considering adding a heat lamp to your leopard geckos tank, first make two sides in the tank, one cold and one warm side. Then put a heat lamp on the warm side. A heat lamp should be placed on top of the tank and a leopard gecko should be at a distance of 18 inches from the heat lamp.

What can you use instead of a Heat Lamp in your Leopard gecko's tank?

You should use a heat mat or other heat source rather than a heat lamp when a heat lamp isn't available in your home. The Heat Mat is a better alternative to heat lamps because it provides more heat to the gecko's belly and is cheap in price.

Differences between heat mats and heat lamps

Heat MatsHeat Lamps
Easy to install Hard to install
Only produce heat Produces both heat and light
Best for Nighttime Best for Daytime
It is necessary to have thermostats with heat mats Don't need thermostats
Electrical energy is used less by mats Electrical energy is used more by lamps.
Mat required wattage between 10 to 40 watts Lamps require wattage between 50 to 150 watts

During a Power Outage, What should you do to keep your Tank Warm?

Leopard geckos are dependent on electricity for heat. When there is a power outage, you should always have a generator ready. When you don't have a generator, you should add some substrate to keep the tank warm.

It is not a good idea to feed them if you don't have a heating source for a few days because heat helps them digest food. Without heat, they face digestion problems.

Is it possible to use both a Heat Mat and a Heat Lamp?

Yes, it is possible to use both a heat mat and a heat mat. Using both heat lamps and mats in leopard gecko tanks is a good idea. During the day, you can use heat lamps, while at night, you can use heat mats.

The best Heat Mat and Heat Lamp for Leopard Gecko Tanks?

For leopard geckos, it is imperative to use high-quality lamps and mats. Several types of reptile mats work well for leopard gecko tanks, including Zacro Reptile Mat, Tikaton Reptile Mat, Zoo Med, etc. The best types of lamps that work well for leopard gecko tanks include Halogen Heat Lamps, Ceramic Heat Lamps, etc.

It is possible to buy this type of heat lamp and mat in pet stores as well as online.

Check out Amazon for Reptile Terrarium Heat Lamps and Reptile Heat Pads.