Housing for Multiple Geckos

[Turtlestork]

Hey everyone - I was wondering, as my babies get larger and larger, what you guys use to house your larger stock. I see so many different caging options, I don't know what is the best way to keep them! What do you guys use to house all your adult breeders and such? Thanks!

TS

 

[josabby]

They are adaptable enough that they can be kept in screen cages or large critter keepers. They like to climb. Basically if the room temp is in the 70s (Farenheit (sp?), they're fine. They are Noctornal, and I've had several breeders say they don't even need any kind of lighting. My little brother has a couple that actually hide under the paper towels when he turns the lights on. They will sometimes lick water off of plastic plants and I've used juice caps for food and water dishes. Males can get aggressive toward each other, but females can be housed together as long as they have space and are about the same size. They also need a shed box, which you can cut from meal worm containers or disposable zip lock containers. I like Spagnum moss for all of my geckos (Leos, Fat Tails, Pictus, Chinese because it really helps them shed, even the ones that had trouble shedding in the past. It also holds water and helps keep the needed humidity. Hope that helps

 

[Kristy]

I kept mine in a critter keeper. At 5 weeks old (some people wait til 2or 3 months old) I put him in a 10 gallon tank (horizontal). He is in there now and is 13 weeks old. ( He is about 7 1/2 grams) In december (at 6 months) I plan to put him in a 18x18x24 zoo med terrarium. It will be a big move up. And if its a girl, then I may think about getting a second girl at some point. I think if you have a single male adult would be ok in a 12x12x18 (although I like bigger). But maybe 3 females could go in a 18x18x24 (this is all in inches). I would be careful in crowding them. I like the zoo med and exo terra best. THere are few other brands, but they are costly. You can find exo terras on craigslist sometimes. I like the glass rather than the screen because I need the moisture held in and I have cats. (although they seem to be more interested in the cricket container!)

 

[josabby]

Sometimes if you go to reptile shows you can get good deals on used equipment, just make sure to sterilize it, lol.

 

[Turtlestork]

Thanks everyone! I actually know how to keep them, I was mainly just asking what people usually keep them in. Where are good places to get these screen cages? I currently keep all my geckos in a series of 5 gallon, 10 gallon, and some larger tanks. However, tanks are cumbersome, and not exactly cheap.

Thanks

 

[josabby]

LLL Reptile has some good deals on different types of screen cages. Sometimes at shows cricket breeders will sell the rubbermaid tubs with screen tops. Those can be turned on the side and used to house cresties.

 

[acpart]

Unless you have either a very humid living environment, or use some kind of plastic over the outside of the screen cage, I feel that these cages don't hold the humidity well. I have a single crestie in an exoterra 12x12x18 and would definitely recommend the larger size 18x18x24 for 2-3 cresties. They are relatively slow-growing, so I would imagine that several juvies could inhabit a 10 gallon tank, preferably adapted so it's oriented vertically.

Aliza

 

[Spyral]

Screen cages can be modified to hold in moisture with plexiglass or plastic sheets or even seran wrap covering the sides. Or if you run a humidifier they could work.

I use 16-64 quart Sterilite bins for sub-adults to adults. I don't like most of the aquarium-style tanks turned on their side, but those can be used. I like front opening style terrariums like Exo Terra's or Zoo Med's. Pangea Reptile is carrying a new style: Arboreal Reptile Cage

It works out to be just over 20 gallons and is perfect for a single adult male. I hope to upgrade our setups to those in the future.

Just a note, some females do not get along with others and they should be housed separately. We have one female like that and we keep her by herself except during breeding, to keep from stressing her and other females.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Hatchlings up to 7 grams I keep in medium Kritter Keepers.
Juvies (7-15g) I keep in modified 29qt Sterilite bins.
Subadults and Adults (15g +) I keep in acrylic 18x12x20" Rzilla "Fresh Air Atriums," though as those are being discontinued I'm going to have to start getting some other adult enclosures in soon, too.

 

[crestedguy]

I just use a 20 gal for three and then add five to ten gallons for each extra gecko. hope this helps!

 

[Turtlestork]

Laura, what do you mean by "modified sterilite bins". I like that idea, it seems nice and cheap.

Actually, I had seen that cage, they look nice. I am planning on getting a few of those, as they have the plastics sides and the screen. The big thing is keeping males, as I have a lot of hatchlings right now and I would like to find a way to keep the males separately in nice enclosures. Does anyone have any experience with any type of racks? I have noticed a lot of types on kingsnake, but I did not know which types worked for cresteds well. Thanks.

TS

 

[lauraleellbp]

Here's some pics of my juvie bins. I cut out the fronts and hot-glue in fiberglass screening:

 

[shamrock75]

I actually use these types of sterilite containers as back ups ,quarantine, ect.,it's a good idea.Otherwise my guys go to regular 10g tanks,they can get tipped upright as geckos mature.I also don't ever have issues with keeping humidity right with glass.The sterilite containers are trial and error and definitely need screen.

 

[Bella]

I would imagine that a 20 gallon for thee geckos is not sufficient space..I was under the impression that a 20 gallon tank was a minimum requirement for ONE adult gecko?

 

[crestedguy]

it mostly depends on the size of you geckos. Mine breeders are all 33-38 gram range. I also think that many crested gecko breeders have different opinions on what is OK.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Yep, opinions do vary. I personally think the bigger the better, as they really will make full use of their enclosures at night. I like to give them room to jump and roam around. I personally wouldn't keep three geckos in less than at least 30-40 gallons.

How an enclosure is decorated can make a big difference, though- a 20gal with 4 or 5 climbing areas, lots of foliage, and perches would be vastly preferable to a 40gal tank with just a stick or two in there.