Hey so im planning on getting a crestie soon and im planning it in a plastic tub til it gets older as ive read so often on these forums. My house gets to the mid 50s at night so i was wondering how i could keep it warm at night. Could i just throw a heat pad on the side? Does anyone have experience with this? I wouldnt want it to melt. Could i just use a timer/dimmer combo?
Heat pad on a tub
- Thread starter srfdan
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cassicat4
New member
A heat pad won't melt a plastic tub. The melting point of most plastics (polypropylene and polyethylene, components in Sterilite, for example) is well over 200F, and closer to 300F.
However, you would want a dimmer just to ensure the side of the tub doesn't get too hot and burn your crestie if it chooses to sleep on that side.
A Kritter Keeper would work fine for a hatchling crestie. Generally, around 12-15g (approximate juvenile age) they could be moved up to an 18x18x24. I wouldn't move them any sooner though as it's a pretty large enclosure (I currently have a crestie in one) and a smaller gecko could get easily stressed and have difficulty finding its food.
Approximately how many gallons is your tub?
However, you would want a dimmer just to ensure the side of the tub doesn't get too hot and burn your crestie if it chooses to sleep on that side.
A Kritter Keeper would work fine for a hatchling crestie. Generally, around 12-15g (approximate juvenile age) they could be moved up to an 18x18x24. I wouldn't move them any sooner though as it's a pretty large enclosure (I currently have a crestie in one) and a smaller gecko could get easily stressed and have difficulty finding its food.
Approximately how many gallons is your tub?
cassicat4
New member
I would actually consider purchasing the equivalent of a 10 gallon tub/enclosure or close to this as it would be suitable for hatchling and juvenile cresties and would last you a bit longer than a smaller tub. With plenty of foliage/hides/climbing items and easily accessible food, your crestie should feel secure and thrive just fine, while having plenty of space to explore and move around.
I just bought a 7 gallon tub. The store I bought it from didnt have any 10 gallons that were a desirable shape. I'm planning on cutting a window in it for some airflow, but was wondering what kind of mesh do I use? Screen mesh? Is it just a genetic name for it? Any specific material? Also, for fake plants, can I just buy them from Michaels or something?
cassicat4
New member
That size will be fine. I have geckos in two tubs currently, and yes, plain window screen mesh will work fine. (I'm not sure if there's a specific name for it, I think it's just called screen mesh). I've seen it at many stores - Home Depot, Lowe's, Rona, etc. Just avoid metallic screen as it will rust in the humidity.
Then just cut out a hole and hotglue (or whatever method you prefer) the mesh to the outside of the hole.
I buy all my fake plants from either Michaels, Walmart, Dollar Stores, etc. Just wash them well and you're good to go. I also like to buy suction cups - I remove the metal hook from each one, use a plastic twist-tie to fasten the plant to the cup, and then I can use them along the sides and tops of the tubs so they hang down.
Then just cut out a hole and hotglue (or whatever method you prefer) the mesh to the outside of the hole.
I buy all my fake plants from either Michaels, Walmart, Dollar Stores, etc. Just wash them well and you're good to go. I also like to buy suction cups - I remove the metal hook from each one, use a plastic twist-tie to fasten the plant to the cup, and then I can use them along the sides and tops of the tubs so they hang down.