A few crested gecko questions newbie.

[littleimp]

After deliberating over leopard or crested gecko's I have decided to go the crested route. I think they look more interesting and the vivarium better looking too.

A few questions though. Especially for UK or cold climate keepers.

1. Do they require a heat gradient?
2. What's the best way of heating as they mostly live in the air? heatlamps over the whole vivarium?
3. What's the ideal humidity level? Do you juse a waterfall or rainwater system to keep the humidity up?

I mnow they live in a rain forest environment in the wild and I expect replicating this as best as possible is the way forward.

I intend to build a naturalistic vivarium and the enclosue is 60"x24"x30" high so fairly large.

 

[cilatusguy]

Hi,

as for heating they don't need any supplementary heating ,just room temperature,
(60-78 degrees F.) or 20-28 degrees celcius.

The humidity should reach 60-70% ,allowing the viv. to dry out during the course of the day. Use a regular spray bottle to mist the tank.

note ( live plants ,like pothos, help to keep the humidity up.

 

[littleimp]

20-28 is not room temperature in the UK except in the summer months unfortunately. I'm going to go with either a pad or cable heater on a controlled digital thermostat. Not to sure how I'm going to change that at night though.

 

[cilatusguy]

sorry about the temp. mix up

but heat cables arent nessisary ,unless it gets very cold where you live, and in that case don't over heat them.

(havn't used heat cables with cresteds so kind of blind on that subject)

 

[littleimp]

Temperature is 4degC outside at the moment and 19.5degC inside. However we don't have the heating on constant so I'm definitely gonna need some decent heating. So mats or cables? What's best bearing in mind the size of the tank?

 

[lorenamazing]

by cables do you mean heated vines?

 

[RichL]

Im in the UK too - I went to the rep store and asked about this myself

I was recommended to mount a heatmat (connected to thermostat) on either the back or side of my tank and have the temp probe half n inch (12mm) or so away from the tank wall (inside tank)

Just be sure there is a branch or something for the geks to sit on n bask

Oh - I was suggested to set the temp to about 24 deg C - this allows for our cooler climate and will mean the mat will turn off during our (brief) warmer periods.

As im new to all this myself - i cant n wont suggest a mat size or power (also i dont know the size of your tank) so you could do as i did n ask in a store or phone one of th emany supppliers online for help

Hope this helps