Few "Noob" questions on P. grandis

[Lunar Gecko]

I would like to get a few P. grandis. I have a few tanks open at the moment. "ETS" (empty tank syndrome) is never good for me I'm very susceptible and have quite a low immune system for it. ;-)

Anyway, I have lots of experience with nocturnal reptiles/geckos...my web page name says it all. I was thinking it would be nice to have something I can look in on during the day and it not be sleeping. :biggrin:

First off I would like to get a book on them...one that touches on there specific care not the whole SP. Could you suggest one?
Second, I generally breed all my animals unless there is health issues that keep me from doing so. Do I need to keep a 2ed tank for while I cool females?
3ed, Do they have different color patterns/morphs or what you would consider to be a higher value animal? I have seen people talk about blue ones or blood reds. What dues this mean?
Any other info would be great. Thanks a lot!

TTFN

 

[Kevin McRae]

Ph m grandis would make a great choice!

They are very easy to maintain. I keep my single grandis in a 18x18x24 exo terra enclosure. I use peatmoss as substrate. You can find peatmoss at most garden stores. I like to mix it in with water when I first put it in a enclosure, because sometimes its really dry. I always use live plants with my geckos, if you want to, some good choices would be pothos and snake plants. Phelsuma love snake plants. You can find most plants at rona or home depot. Phelsuma love to climb, so its important to have branches for them. They will use all kinds of branches but I find they like bamboo best. The only place I can find them is at Rona, which is only in Canada. They have all sizes. Grandis also enjoy hollow bamboo.

I keep my grandis at around 70-80 ambient temperature with a basking spot of around 85. I use incadecent plant grow light bulbs. There is some controversy of if these bulbs work for animals requiring UV light. I've used them for years without harmful affects. They also serve as basking lights. You can find these at Walmart, Home Depot and Rona. I spray them twice a day, once in the morning or afternoon and before the lights go out.

These guys will eat anything! I feed mine crickets, mealworms, superworms, pinkies, flies, sweet fruits, zoo med day gecko food. I dust every food item with vitamins and calcium, every feeding.

People have produced and have been selling crimson (high red) and blue grandis.

I'm sure you'll enjoy this gecko species. If you have anymore questions be sure to ask them here.

 

[Lunar Gecko]

Would crested gecko diet be okay, I have been told its the same thing, is that true? Also what is the sugection of live prey vs. MRP weekly?

I plant all my adult Rhac. tanks and I have a few planted ones that are open. Whats the "rule" on housing them, like one per 20g's? Also is there a good book on them??? I try to have at least one owner suggested book on each of my sp. of reptiles before I get them.

TY!

 

[Adrn]

Highly recommended is Day Geckos In Captivity by Leann and Greg Christenson. Also, Geckos: Day Geckos, Tokay Geckos plus New Caledonians and More! This book shows photos provided by and is edited by Julie Bergman of The Gecko Ranch in Woodland. Not too far from Sac. Check her website or give her a call. Tell her Adrian recommended you. She has some really nice and healthy high reds and standards. I am sure crested gecko diet will be fine in conjunction with live prey. If the live prey is dusted with 2:1 of RepCal fine calcium with D3 and Reptivite vitamin powder, you can use the "daylight" type of T8 or T5 bulbs along with 10w or 20w halogen puck lights for basking. UV bulbs would not be necessary because you are supplementing them with D3. Suggested feeding is every 2 days. Offset 1 time per week with fruit mix or MRP. 2 per 20gal tank would be okay as long as it is vertically oriented. If you have a bigger/taller one, then all the better.

 

[Lunar Gecko]

I've been doing business w/ Julie for over a year now, but thank you.
I use uva/uvb on all my tanks since they are planted anyways. The tank I was thinking of using is a 42gallon thats 36" tall. Thanks for the info on the books and the diet!

 

[Adrn]

Just a heads up. Since you are familiar with Julie Bergman, you should know that she carries both books last time I checked.